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Center Launches Survey on Public Attitudes and Community Engagement
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The Center for Public Policy has launched a longitudinal survey panel focused on critical issues facing Houston communities and measuring how area residents respond and adapt to changes and challenges. Every quarter, the SPACE CITY Panel will examine opinions on political attitudes and engagement, economic indicators and workforce development trends, resilience to natural disasters, and attitudes about extreme weather events and energy sources among at least 1,500 panel respondents. The findings will provide researchers and decision-makers with a consistent means to track the evolution of public opinion and experiences. The Houston Metro Community Survey, which served as a recruitment tool for the long-term research initiative, highlighted disaster preparedness, climate change and public safety perceptions. In collaboration with the National Opinion Research Center, Hobby School researchers gathered responses from over 9,600 people across the region.
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Voters Weigh in on County Direction, Quality of Life, Entertainment and Key Races
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As Harris County leaders determine budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, the Hobby School asked county residents for their perspectives on a range of issues in the Harris County 2025 report series. The first report examined opinions on the direction of the county, quality of life and evaluations of county officials and candidates. Ahead of a special election to fill the seat for Texas's 18th Congressional District, principal investigators Renée Cross and Mark P. Jones asked likely voters about the candidates vying to represent the historic district in the second report. The third report gauged enthusiasm for the addition of professional sports teams, a theme park and the renovation of NRG Stadium and the Astrodome with public funding. The last report examines the views of county voters on extreme weather, including power outages, high winds and flooding during hurricane season’s most active months.
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Save the Date for the Next Civic Engagement Boot Camp
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To empower students and community members with the knowledge and tools to increase voter participation and become civic leaders ahead of upcoming elections, the Hobby School's Jessica Ruland O'Connor is organizing a day-long workshop on Friday, Sept. 12, at the University of Houston. The Fall 2025 Civic Engagement Boot Camp will convene local experts from government offices and nonprofit organizations to cover a range of relevant topics and resources and provide hands-on demonstrations and training. Participants will have the opportunity to become Volunteer Deputy Registrars in Harris County. Reserve your place early as space is limited.
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Exploring Ethics at the Intersection of Leadership, Policy and Technology
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Starting this fall, the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership will bring leading voices in technology to the University of Houston to examine the impact of digital tools on shaping connections, testing privacy and influencing democracy through the "Rebooting Our Relationship with Tech" lecture series. From authors to media scholars, the experts will challenge audiences to reflect on the ethical dimensions of technology's growth, convergence and potential for harm. Best-selling author Catherine Price kicks off the series by sharing her expertise on the impact of a screen-based world and providing evidence-based strategies to transform screen time from a distraction to a tool. The university and surrounding communities are invited to attend Price's talk, "How to Break up with Your Phone," at 4 p.m. on Sept. 18 in the Student Center South Theater.
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Inside NextGen: An Information Session with Program Director Emily Janowski
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What makes the Next Generation Leadership Academy program unique? Hobby School's Emily Janowski sat down with Alex Westerbeck to share insights into the student experience and how the program has empowered them through public service career exploration opportunities and real-world experience across industries and sectors. She also heard from Brett Hunt at The Volcker Alliance, who leads the collaborative initiative aimed at preparing the next generation of leaders. Hunt shared how coursework, the broad network, and applying learning outside the classroom through internships and other experiential learning activities are what differentiate the undergraduate program. Watch the information session on the Hobby School's YouTube channel.
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Today’s Interns Becoming Tomorrow’s Leaders Experiential learning is at the heart of the Hobby School's mission to equip the next generation with the skills gained through direct experience, engagement and relationships. To mark National Intern Day on July 31, the Hobby School recognized the 2025 Harris Fellows, who worked full-time in county offices over the summer. They got insight into the inner workings of county government by researching policy issues and solutions, connecting the community with vital resources, attending meetings and volunteering.
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"My day-to-day on the policy team was dynamic and hands-on," said Nekane Diaz, who was with the office of Harris County Precinct 1. "I spent my time researching key issues, creating outreach materials and attending policy meetings, events and site visits. Every part of the work gave me a deeper understanding of the intersection of public policy and local impact."
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“Whether creating infographics, staffing the Harris County Clerk at an event or shadowing a different department, my day was full of excitement and adventure," said Abdullah Soliman, who was with the Harris County Clerk's office. "My most memorable experience was staffing the clerk at a Houston Association of Realtors event. I learned how she interacts with local constituents, and it taught me that being personable and open with people can go a long way in public service.”
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Harris County Commissioners Court honored the 2025 Harris Fellows with a resolution on Thursday, Aug. 7.
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New Alumni Association Board Announced
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The Hobby School Alumni Association is active year-round, serving as a means to expand networks, celebrate the impact of alumni in their professions and communities, and offer support and engagement opportunities to current students. Most recently, the association elected new board members for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, including several returning leaders and seven first-time board members. Leonard Chan (MPA '09) continues to manage the broad network of practitioners as president alongside Vice President Ana Silbas (MPP '22). Other board members include Treasurer Katie Hassett (MPA '12), Secretary Chaveli Solis (MPA '22), Communications Officer Laura Parker (MPP/MSW '19), Sydney Hargroder (MPA ’24), Andrea Duhon (MPA ’24), Usman Mahmood (MPA ’23), Scott Mason (MPA ’06), Andrew Deavers (MPA ‘25), Danielle Guevara (BS ’25), Dylan Osborne (MPA ’15), Aylin Rodriguez (MPP ‘22) and Karla Rodriguez (BS ’21). The Hobby School community is invited to attend the University of Houston vs. Rice University football game on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 each, and a tailgate gathering will take place prior to kickoff. Please email Leonard if you plan to attend the pregame festivities or have any questions at leonard.n.chan@gmail.com. Stay informed about opportunities to engage by following the association on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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From Houston to D.C., Hobby School students and alumni made waves this summer. Read the latest Student and Alumni Spotlight edition spotlighting the rising stars of public service. Meet Sandra Teran, who represented the University of Houston at the Next Generation Service Corps Summer Policy Academy, and Aryana Azizi, who is heading to American University Washington College of Law on a full scholarship, bringing her passion and Hobby School experiences to her next chapter. Students like Diana Davila are turning research and data into impact through the Social Economy and Enterprise Academy, partnering with Houston nonprofits to drive community improvements. These stories reflect the Hobby School's mission in action.
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Hobby School Welcomes Maggie Padilla Back in a New Role Supporting Student Success
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The Hobby School is pleased to welcome Maggie Padilla back in a new role as program director of academic affairs, overseeing student recruitment, advising and promotion of the graduate and undergraduate programs. With over 17 years of experience in higher education, Padilla brings expertise in student success, program management and leadership development to the student-centered position. She began her journey at the University of Houston with the then-Hobby Center for Public Policy, where she provided executive administrative support and helped launch the Master of Public Policy program. Most recently, she served as the director of executive programs at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership and an adjunct instructor.
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Padilla has a master's degree in public service and administration from Texas A&M University and an undergraduate degree from Sam Houston State University. She shared her excitement for empowering students and enhancing academic support with the Hobby School’s Celeste Zamora. What are you most excited about in supporting Hobby School students?
"One of the things I pride myself on in my career is helping students and being part of their journey towards success. The years they spend in college are monumental, shaping the rest of their lives. Here, they meet best friends for life, the people who mentor their careers. As a first-generation college graduate, supporting them through their academic journey is what I am most excited about." How does it feel to be back at the Hobby School but in a different role?
"It is familiar yet unfamiliar. The familiarity is deep-rooted, though, because the mission is still the same. There is a passion for public service, which is a theme in my career, that is truly reflected in the mission of the school and its leadership."
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Hobby School Earns Voter Education and Participation Grant
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The Hobby School is one of 49 institutions nationwide, and one of only four in Texas, selected to receive a grant from the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition to support the school's student voter engagement activities. The $3,000 award for 2025-2026 will amplify the Hobby School's civic engagement mission and commitment to making an impact across campus and in the community. "There's a real hunger among students to feel like they matter in the civic process," said Jessica Ruland O'Connor, who oversees internship programs and civic engagement projects at the Hobby School. "Receiving this grant feels like a moment of possibility. It gives the Hobby School new resources and support to move beyond the basics of voter registration and start building something deeper, something that helps students feel connected, informed and motivated to participate." "Our 2025 grantees have all demonstrated an impressive commitment to making nonpartisan voter engagement a part of the student experience at their institutions," said Sithara Menon with the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, which leads Ask Every Student. The Hobby School supports civic engagement among its students through government and nonprofit internships, coursework, volunteer opportunities and hands-on workshops and trainings. "My vision for the Hobby School and the broader UH campus is that civic engagement becomes part of the rhythm of student life," continued Ruland O'Connor. “I want students to feel like they have a place in this work, no matter their background or experience. That could mean having conversations in classrooms, showing up to vote, asking tough questions or leading efforts to bring others along. With this grant, we have a chance to make civic participation something students don't just learn about but live out every day."
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Koelling Advises Future Lawyers at Summer Legal Academy
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Instructional Associate Professor Peter Koelling presented on the fields of public policy and public administration at the Summer Legal Academy hosted by the office of Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee. The two-week readiness program orients area high school students to the law school admissions process and expectations and introduces them to potential careers, mentors and available resources. Koelling directs the Teaching Cities program for graduate candidates and supports the agile education curriculum framework at the Hobby School. He was also recently inducted as a 2025 Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, law faculty and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession.
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New Tool to Track U.S. Democratic Backsliding
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At a July virtual panel discussion hosted by American University School of Public Affairs, Associate Professor Jessica Gottlieb presented the Democratic Erosion Consortium's (DEC) framework for identifying and assessing potential threats to democratic norms and institutions in the U.S. Gottlieb co-directs the DEC, a research, teaching and policy collaboration among over sixty universities, and addressed questions about managing partisan bias and methodological considerations, such as using AI, during the talk. The dataset aims to support scholars and policymakers by offering real-time, evidence-based insights into democratic resilience.
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The Harris County 2025 report series dominated the news mentions for the school in July as county leaders face a $270 million budget deficit for the 2026 fiscal year. Media coverage of the survey findings included more than 60 citations, with mentions in print, television and radio, as well as a regional podcast and a national sports journal. Report authors Renée Cross and Mark P. Jones shared key insights with Houston Public Media, KHOU TV, KRIV TV, the Houston Chronicle and other prominent media outlets. Distinguished Professor Pablo Pinto discussed concerns about inflation and household expenses among Houstonians with the Houston Chronicle, sharing key insights into the Houston Metro Community Survey. The Hobby School's Chris Bronk addressed a cyberattack on the Australian airline Qantas in July, sharing commentary on the stolen data and the potential for identity theft. Bronk is a U.S. Fulbright Scholar completing his time at the University of Adelaide. Hobby School faculty members and researchers are sought-after contributors to conversations on topics that impact public policy.
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Hobby School Happenings captures lectures, events, application deadlines, programs and collaborations hosted or co-sponsored by the Hobby School and its centers. Thursday, Aug. 14, 4:45 p.m.
Social Economy and Enterprise Academy Student Presentations
Heritage Room (Room 201), Bates Law Building Sunday, Aug. 17
National Nonprofit Day Monday, Aug. 25
First Day of Fall Classes Tuesday, Sept. 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Graduate Programs Information Session
Virtual Saturday, Sept. 6, 6 p.m.
Hobby School Alumni Association Night at Rice Stadium
Purchase Tickets Friday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m.
Fall 2025 Civic Engagement Boot Camp
Heritage Room (Room 201), Bates Law Building
Register Wednesday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m.
“Houston Matters with Craig Cohen” featuring Hobby School’s Renée Cross
Listen Online Thursday, Sept. 18, 4-5:30 p.m.
How to Break Up with Your Phone with Catherine Price
Student Center South Theater
Register Monday, Sept. 29, 12-1 p.m.
Inside Texas Internet Privacy Laws with Tyler Bridegan
John M. O’Quinn Law Building, Room 210
Register
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