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2026 Leland Fellows Headed to Capitol Hill
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Meet Rawan Barazi, Kailey DeLorenzo, Hector Doratt, Nekane Diaz, Panos Georgantas, Kylie Nichols, Kelly Nguyen, Ferah Odili, Madison Rainwater and Laisha Ramirez.
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The 2026 Leland Fellows are preparing for a transformative spring semester in Washington, D.C., where they will serve as federal interns in congressional offices and experience policymaking in the nation’s capital. Before heading to Capitol Hill in January, the cohort participated in a day-long orientation led by Program Director Jessica Ruland O’Connor. The students heard from former Leland Fellows, including Andrea Cubillos, a legislative aide in U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s office, Cruz Almonaci, a community outreach manager at the City of Houston, Gabriela Hamdieh, a policy associate at Environment Texas, and Rohit Shajan, a University of Houston Law Center student. Special guests, University of Houston lecturer Alison Leland, Dean Jim Granato and Senior Executive Director Renée Cross, shared inspiring insights into public service and the legacy of the late Congressman Mickey Leland. Soon, these exceptional students will walk the halls of Congress and perform a range of tasks, from conducting research and drafting reports to assisting with policy development. Thanks to generous donor support, the program covers travel and living expenses, empowering the next generation of leaders who are passionate about making a difference.
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Students Explore Future of Texas at Annual Festival
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Hobby School students, staff and alumni engaged in powerful conversations at the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival in Austin about the future of the Lone Star State, the evolving media landscape, how those in elected office are meeting the moment and key policy issues, such as public transportation and regulating AI. The Hobby School supported four panels featuring discussions on the midterm elections, higher education challenges and preparing the next generation to enter the workforce. More than a dozen undergraduate and graduate students connected with peers and speakers, asked thoughtful questions about leadership and governing and returned to campus energized by new ideas and perspectives.
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"I enjoyed the Between the Covers panel because conversing with independent bookstore owners about their unique value in today's sociopolitical climate was unexpectedly captivating," said Vincent Ruggiero, who is a member of the Next Generation Leadership Academy and a former Harris Fellow and Civic Houston Intern. He added, "TribFest makes conversations and connections more accessible for aspiring changemakers like myself, and I look forward to returning."
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Engaging initiatives, such as the annual gathering hosted by The Texas Tribune, put civic discourse and public leadership front and center and provide real-world context to the challenges students are learning about in the classroom.
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Celebrating Public Service
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The Hobby School spirit was present at the Student and Alumni Mixer on Nov. 10 at Station 3 near downtown Houston. Coordinated by Jessica Ruland O'Connor and Kailey Moore, the evening brought together more than 80 attendees to connect with former and current classmates, Hobby School team members and community partners. The event also honored Hobby Leadership Award recipients Pamela Langford and Cassidy Lee for their commitment to public service. Langford completed the Certified Public Manager program in 2022 and currently serves as assistant city manager of operations and director of development services for the City of Port Arthur, where she has spent more than 20 years in various roles. Lee’s public service journey began as a Civic Houston Intern in the office of state Rep. Armando Walle, followed by her role as an inaugural Harris Fellow in the office of the Harris County Clerk. Today, she serves as a senior policy analyst at the Harris County Office of Administration, where she works to improve the county’s criminal justice system as part of the Justice Innovation Team. For Sophia Rodriguez, the annual gathering was a moment to reconnect with her supervisors at the Education Foundation of Harris County and reflect on her experience in the Civic Houston Internship Program.
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Ethics Bowl Team Bound for Nationals
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The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center Ethics Bowl scholars have earned a spot at the 2026 National Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl in St. Louis this March. Their third-place finish at the San Antonio regional competition in November secured their advancement to the national stage. Visiting Professor on Ethics and Leadership Nora Reikosky guided the University of Houston’s first intercollegiate ethics bowl team throughout the semester, analyzing ethical theories and studying historical cases.
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"As the coach, I introduced different frameworks and challenged them to think about more and different aspects of the case," said Reikosky. "During scrimmages, I gave feedback on presentation style and asked questions to push them to think about stakeholders, which claims are important relative to other claims and clarifying their arguments."
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According to Reikosky, students learn about complex social, political and ethical dilemmas and build their capacity to evaluate and discuss them.
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"As a student focused on public policy and national security, I have learned about various ethical issues affecting our society and how to address them analytically," said Nzube Anwaegbu, a senior who is one of five undergraduates participating on the inaugural team. "I feel my experiences prepared me to make meaningful contributions to the Ethics Bowl team."
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Nzube is joined by her teammates Cory Bush, Sophia Bebawi, JanMarco Flores and Jacobe West. The ethics bowl team was established to give students from various major and backgrounds a collaborative space to engage deeply with diverse perspectives. Through preparing arguments on today’s most pressing issues, scholars learn to navigate ambiguity while cultivating the virtues central to democratic deliberation.
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Teaching Cities Program Deepens Classroom Learning
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When Master of Public Administration candidate Joseph Quartey began his Teaching Cities Program assignment with the City of Deer Park this fall, he sought a meaningful connection between classroom theories and the realities of local governance. With his background in disaster management and community resilience, Joseph found a practical platform to explore how municipalities prepare for and respond to emergencies while promoting sustainable development. "I have enjoyed my experience with the code enforcement team," said the Fulbright Foreign Student Program scholar about the internship opportunity. "It gave me valuable insight into how city regulations are applied to maintain safety, order and quality of life in the community. Observing how the team interacts with residents and businesses to ensure compliance helped me appreciate the balance between enforcing policies and promoting community cooperation in local governance." Teaching Cities Program participants led by Instructional Associate Professor Peter Koelling spend up to 25 hours a week observing the intricacies and challenges of municipal government, developing skills and exploring potential careers. Koelling created the initiative in 2024 as part of the Hobby School's agile education curriculum framework, which emphasizes experiential learning. Joseph was one of five students learning from professionals on the front lines of local government. Graduate candidates Melanie Romero, Juan Sergio Longoria, Nicholas Weber and Alfredo Prieto Pe were hosted by the City of Friendswood.
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February Lecture on Technology and Democracy
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Cultural historian and media scholar Siva Vaidhyanathan will deliver the 2026 Richard Gelwick Endowed Lecture at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Rockwell Pavilion at M.D. Anderson Library. The former journalist will explore how social media and artificial intelligence are reshaping democratic systems, influencing elections and altering the political landscape. His talk will examine how platforms have drifted from their original purposes, fueling security concerns and eroding trust in the media and science. The lecture is part of the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership’s series, “Rebooting Our Relationship with Tech,” which brings leading voices to the University of Houston to probe the ethical implications of technologies such as algorithms, smartphones and search engines. Vaidhyanathan is the Robertson Professor of Media Studies and director of the Center for Media and Citizenship at the University of Virginia and author of “Antisocial Media: How Facebook Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy” and “The Googlization of Everything.”
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Community Invitation to Honor Leaders, Students in March
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After completing a Civic Houston Internship Program assignment at Houston City Hall as an undergraduate, Fatimah El-Ibrahim entered the Master of Public Administration program to further strengthen her commitment to public service. As a winner of the Kathleen P. Rubinstein Best Papers Award, the constituent advocacy director was recognized at the 2025 Public Officials of the Year Awards luncheon, sponsored by the MPA program. Balancing a position in the district office of U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher with her graduate education and campus activities, El-Ibrahim and students like her benefit from scholarships funded by the luncheon's proceeds. The 2026 awards luncheon on Friday, Mar. 27, 2026, at the UH Hilton's Conrad Grand Ballroom will honor public servants in the Houston area. Registration and networking begin at 11 a.m., and the luncheon starts at noon. Event attendance benefits graduate students like Fatimah who are making their academic goals at the Hobby School a reality.
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CPM Alumnus Shares Experience and Expertise
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The Certified Public Manager Program cohort recently welcomed Verdis Wilson, special projects auditor manager at Houston Public Works, as a guest speaker. Wilson reflected on his career path and shared how the executive training program contributed to his professional growth. The session focused on productivity strategies and program evaluation methods used by leaders to improve government efficiency. “It was a great meeting,” Wilson said of presenting to the newest CPM cohort. "We discussed program evaluation, and I shared my 2019 capstone case and tips for the upcoming capstone project.” Co-directed by Emily Janowski of the Hobby School and Arquella Hargrove, a professional executive management consultant, the program offers public sector managers a comprehensive curriculum centered on best practices in leadership and operations, while also helping participants strengthen their professional networks.
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Article Explores Tech’s Collision with Global Politics
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The Hobby School’s Chris Bronk explored the intersection of digital technology and world affairs in his latest article, “Information Power! Tracking Computing’s Collision with Global Politics,” published by the Communications of the ACM, considered the premier chronicler of computing technologies, covering the latest discoveries, innovations and research that inspire and influence the field. With technology now central to economic and military power and AI poised to amplify influence, the cybersecurity expert examines how these systems shape opinions and influence democracies. Bronk’s research focuses on cybersecurity education, influence campaigns, information geopolitics in national security, international conflict and public diplomacy. He returned to the University of Houston this fall after serving as the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Cyber and Information Influence at the University of Adelaide.
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Cougar Cudos Spotlight Hobby School Staffers
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Congratulations to Emily Cruz and April Blount, recipients of Cougar Cudos, an honor presented by the UH Staff Council to recognize those who go above and beyond in service to the University. April leads business operations at the Hobby School, where colleagues praise her deep institutional knowledge, thoughtful training approach and commitment to fostering a supportive environment for her team. Emily supports the school's business operations as a program manager for the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership and the Center for Public Policy. Emily was nominated by her peers for her smooth integration into the role, her skill in managing multiple complex projects and her commitment to ensuring program initiatives operate effectively.
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Inspired To Make a Difference
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In November, the Hobby School celebrated students blazing new trails in higher education during First-Generation College Student Month. They proudly represent the first in their families to pursue a college degree and are making an impact through public service.
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Madison Williams, a Civic Houston Intern with the Houston Voting Initiative, is drawn to opportunities that deepen her understanding of how government shapes communities. The political science major is also part of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, a national network of students seeking public service careers.
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Jorge Palomo is a history major and a Civic Houston Intern at FIEL Houston, a nonprofit supporting immigrant families. He sees his support system as part of his academic journey and critical to reaching his dreams. On campus, he worked at Houston History Magazine, practicing his research and communication skills while exploring the city’s past.
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Strategic communications major Sofiah Ahmad is interning with Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy through the Civic Houston Internship Program, participating in community projects and gaining hands-on experience she will carry forward into a career.
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The Hobby School honors the accomplishments and dedication of these students and every first-generation college student who inspires their peers and instructors every day.
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On Nov. 10, the Hobby School spotlighted its students who are military veterans representing different branches of the U.S. armed forces, as they continue their journeys in leadership and service. Jeremy Borja is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who served as a chief warrant officer operations systems specialist. The Master of Public Administration candidate works as the emergency management planner for the City of La Porte, applying his background in maritime operations to strengthen disaster preparedness, response and recovery services. U.S. Navy veteran Anthony Eaton, who served aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, is a member of the Next Generation Leadership Academy and is active on campus, supporting civic engagement, student governance and veterans' organizations. Public policy senior Michael Perez served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman in the Philippines, Japan and the U.S. For him, public service is the cornerstone of wearing the uniform. Veterans like Jeremy, Anthony and Michael are an important part of the Hobby School community. "I have integrated my military service by bringing some of my unique experiences and knowledge to my classes, said Michael Perez. He added, "Public service is the things one does that might not directly benefit oneself but the community as a whole."
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The findings of recent research reports on the candidates vying to lead Texas's 18th Congressional District, redistricting, the race for U.S. Senate and food insecurity in the region garnered media citations in national outlets such as CBS News and CNN, as well as prominent state and regional outlets including The Dallas Morning News, San Antonio Express-News, Austin American-Statesman, the Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media, The Texas Tribune and KUT. Professor of Practice James Thurmond was interviewed on Houston's ABC station Channel 13, discussing special districts in Houston and their impacts on community development. The Hobby School's Renée Cross discussed the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history and other developments in local, state and national politics on Houston Public Media's "Houston Matters with Craig Cohen" Nov. 12 show.
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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. Dec. 24-Jan. 2 UH Winter Break Tuesday, Jan. 20 First Day of Spring 2026 Classes Thursday, Feb. 5, 4-5:30 p.m. "Antisocial Media: How Social Media Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy" with Siva Vaidhyanathan Rockwell Pavilion, M.D. Anderson Library Register Sunday, March 1 Fall 2026 Graduate Programs Domestic Application Deadline Learn More Friday, March 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Master of Public Administration Program's Public Officials of the Year Awards Luncheon UH Hilton's Conrad Grand Ballroom Learn More Thursday, April 9, 6-8:30 p.m. Save the date for an evening of roasting and toasting Richard Murray in celebration of his 60th anniversary at the University of Houston. Proceeds from the event will support the 2027 Hobby Fellows–Austin program.
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