The reputation of the Hobby School of Public Affairs as a thriving resource for public affairs education, innovative research and civic engagement is evident in our students and alumni who are active in their communities and workplaces. We turn the spotlight on emerging leaders and professionals making a difference across various industries and sectors.

Investing in Future Leaders

Preparing the next generation of public service leaders is at the heart of the Hobby School's mission. Together with The Volcker Alliance, a national nonprofit dedicated to building the public sector workforce of the future, students like Sandra Teran can gain the training, resources and connections necessary to succeed in impactful roles.

Sandra is a member of the Next Generation Leadership Academy at the University of Houston, led by Program Director Emily Janowski. This summer, the public policy senior joined a cohort of 76 students from member universities across the country who participated in the Next Generation Service Corps Summer Policy Academy, a fully funded professional development experience designed for emerging leaders interested in public service careers.

"Students traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in professional development workshops, networking, self-reflection, engagement with government leaders and inspirational change-makers, and visit some of our nation's famous institutions and historical sites," said Janowski. "They then went to one of three participating host universities for a residential study program to engage in dynamic curriculum inside and outside the classroom, explore the local area and connect with NextGen Service peers in the national network."

Sandra attended the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Policy and Governance to explore social policy issues with various nonprofits in the area. In Seattle, the first-generation college student learned from nonprofit and government agencies active in policy work addressing poverty and inequality, as well as  social welfare programs, education and criminal justice.

Opportunities Along the Career Path

Former Civic Houston Intern Wendy Novoa leveraged her experience in the office of Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo into a part-time position as a constituent engagement coordinator.

In her new role, Wendy will continue to serve residents in District H neighborhoods, planning and executing events such as town halls, resource fairs and community distributions. The first-generation student is studying political science and sociology and attributes her Civic Houston Intern assignments in city and state government to growing her passion for public service. She works under the leadership and mentorship of Russell Etherton, a former Civic Houston Intern and champion of investing in the next generation of public service professionals.

Alumni Spotlight: From Harris Fellow to D.C. Law School

Aryana Azizi is moving to the nation's capital after receiving a full scholarship to attend American University Washington College of Law in the fall. Aryana began her public service journey at the Hobby School as a Civic Houston Intern in the district office of state Rep. Armando Walle. In the summer of 2023, she was a Harris Fellow, contributing to the policy team for Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. After her full-time summer assignment, she was invited to stay in a part-time capacity, addressing policy issues related to public safety, economic opportunities and homelessness. The proud UH Coog earned a full-time position as a policy analyst at Precinct 4 upon her graduation.

Aryana credits mentors like Jessica Ruland O'Connor, who directs internship programs at the Hobby School, with the guidance she needed to succeed professionally and personally. She has paid it forward by supporting those in the same programs that were foundational to her growth today, including Saron Regassa, who is serving as a Harris Fellow this summer in her office. She also visits campus and recently reflected on her experiences, sharing words of wisdom with the newest cohort of Harris Fellows working in various offices across county government. She discussed the county's impact on the economy, communities and its role in state politics.

When it comes to advice for current and future interns, Aryana says, "Enter your internship with a clear mission and vision for what you want to achieve, as this will transform it into a truly impactful step in your academic and professional journey."

New Peer Assistant Guides Students to Academic Success

Incoming students can depend on peer assistant Aryan Trivedi for guidance this summer as they prepare for the fall semester. UH peer assistants have undergone training on academic advising policies and procedures to support fellow students in their colleges, departments and schools navigate course enrollment and the registration process.

You might know Aryan from his membership in the Next Generation Leadership Academy. He is a former Civic Houston Intern with assignments at the Harris County Clerk's office and with the Acres Homes Community Advocacy Group. In the summer of 2024, his team evaluated trends in property appraisals for the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement as part of the Social Economy and Enterprise Academy. He is a senior pursuing the Global Citizens Credential and Honors in Co-curricular Engagement designations. Aryan has been active on campus with the Coog Gaming and eSports organization and studied abroad in Taiwan. The Hobby School's Celeste Zamora caught up with him about his experiences and advice for new students.

Why did you choose to study public policy at the Hobby School?

"I chose public policy because I want a career where I can make a positive difference. Working in public policy gives me the opportunity to create meaningful change and help shape a better future."

What advice would you give to new students?

"Time management is everything! Whether you're juggling classes, a job or student organizations, staying organized and getting ahead on your responsibilities makes a big difference. It's one of the best habits you can build early on."

From the Classroom to the Community: Collaboration Incorporates Learning with Purpose

Public policy students are trained in cross-disciplinary study, blending social sciences, advanced quantitative methods and applied research. To help empower them, collaborative programs like the Social Economy and Enterprise Academy connect select students with nonprofits from the Houston area, allowing them to apply what they learned in the classroom to help the organizations advance their missions and meet social goals.

Master of Public Policy candidate Diana Davila is working with Evolve Houston on a project to study how Houstonians get around the fourth-largest city in the nation and support improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions throughout the region. Diana is working with team members and Evolve Houston leadership to research and evaluate data that will drive initiatives. She is eager to put theory into practice and contribute to the organization's data collection as she learns marketable skills.

"I hope to gain hands-on experience in project management, data analysis and public speaking," said the first-year graduate candidate. She is one of 16 undergraduate and graduate students bringing tangible solutions to achieve project objectives. The other nonprofit partners include the American Red Cross of the Texas Gulf Coast Region, BakerRipley and the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement. Pablo Pinto of the Hobby School and Germán Cubas and Piruz Saboury of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences direct the summer program.

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