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.
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Tomorrow’s Leaders Upskill on the Job
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Four Hobby School graduate students are participating in an exciting new initiative that partners them with local municipalities in a concept called Teaching Cities. Apprenticeships allow students to gain on-the-job experience and solve real problems with our partner cities, the City of Friendswood and the City of Bellaire. Organizers developed semester-long paid programs with an optional course credit to increase participants' professional municipal experience and practical knowledge of city governments and their operations. The immersive experience is part of a new curriculum framework that aims to incorporate the core principles of agile learning and engage practitioners, alumni and key stakeholders in instructional design.
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Master of Public Policy candidate Kaia Ding wanted to apply her coursework learning in public policy to actual objectives in a professional setting while raising her candidate ranking on job searches. “I wanted an opportunity to enter the government sector and apply what I’m learning in my MPP program to real-world situations. The lack of entry-level experience was a significant barrier to securing a professional position, so this apprenticeship helps bridge that gap,” said Ding, who is interning for the City of Bellaire and is a research assistant for the Hobby School.
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Learning on the job strongly motivated Master of Public Administration candidate Melky Ortiz to apply for the Teaching Cities program. During their apprenticeship, participating students rotate through various departments and assignments. By working the 25-hour-per-week paid opportunity, Ortiz is gaining the practical experience he had hoped to attain. “City government is complex, with many behind-the-scenes processes that citizens often take for granted. For example, ensuring clean water and ensuring buildings are constructed to code require significant collaboration among various organizations, much of which goes unnoticed,” said the City of Friendswood intern.
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The Hobby School is refining how it integrates theory and practice to meet the expansive and dynamic needs of communities and to equip the next generation of public service leaders with an amendable toolkit for a rapidly changing world.
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2025 Hobby Fellows to Experience the 89th Texas Legislature
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The 2025 Hobby Fellows are Alexis Boehmer, Gabriela Hamdieh, Juliana Hernandez, Zain Memon, Juan Moreno, Mohammad Nobani, Ferah-Chukwu Odili, Benjamin Rizk, Milan Sam, Eduardo Sanchez, Cullen Watkins and Alexander Westerbeck.
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The 2025 Hobby Fellows participated in a day-long orientation on Nov. 15 before their move to Austin in January to serve as full-time legislative interns at the Texas State Capitol. A dozen students will spend the spring semester immersed in the legislative process during the regular session of the 89th Texas Legislature. They heard from special guests, including Dean Jim Granato, Senior Executive Director Renée Cross and past Hobby Fellows Santiago Franco, Esme Ledezma, Aaron Rollins, Kryss Schofield and Rohit Shajan. Hobby School leaders discussed the program's history, Bill Hobby's legacy and the role of public policy in government. The former Hobby Fellows shared their first-hand experiences during a biennial lawmaking session and gave advice to the newest cohort. Led by Jessica Ruland O'Connor, the internship in Austin provides students with practical training, a stipend to offset expenses and course credit.
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Student Advisory Councils Elevate Experience
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The Hobby School is building on input to enrich the student experience, most recently from the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Advisory Councils. Faculty and administrators help identify candidates with recognized leadership qualities and sound academic standing for membership in the group. They meet twice a semester with the school's deans, program directors and student-facing staff members to provide feedback and suggestions and pose questions in open discussions meant to enhance the student experience.
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As a member of the council, junior Dulce Otero offers recommendations that reflect the undergraduate perspective. “This role enhances my experience at the Hobby School of Public Affairs by allowing me to collaborate with faculty, staff and fellow students to make a tangible impact in our school community. Serving on the advisory council has deepened my connection with the Hobby School community and enabled me to engage with others who share my passion for public policy,” said Otero. As a public policy major and media studies minor, she hopes to contribute to the use of visual communications to boost the Hobby School experience.
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Otero joins Danielle Guevara, Gabriela Hamdieh, Bryanna Nimmons and Milan Sam on the Undergraduate Student Advisory Council. Input received last year from council members helped realize a student lounge on the first floor of the Bates Law Building. This lounge provides students with a place of quiet and concentration, a room to relax between classes and a collaborative area for discussions and teamwork. Council members also convened a town hall open to the larger community and created the Hobby School Student Organization.
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For Master of Public Administration candidate Fatimah El-Ibrahim, the Graduate Student Advisory Council has strengthened her commitment to public service. “I’ve learned the importance of collaboration and diverse perspectives in addressing complex issues. I hope to continue developing meaningful connections and drive impactful change.”
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Her fellow graduate council members include Kimberly Argueta, Andrew Deavers, Catherine Miers, Miguel Patino and Lorenzo Salinas.
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Organization Finds New Ways to Connect
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This fall, the Hobby School registered student organization is focused on building membership and community. Since the September kickoff, officers have connected with peers and networked through co-curricular and social activities. Meet one of the new organization’s officers, Zahra Imam, who wanted an avenue to foster engagement and growth for students who shared a passion for public service.
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As one of the 2024 organizers, along with Danielle Guevara and Angel Leon, Imam says the organization empowers students to connect their academic knowledge with real-world applications. “This experience has deeply enriched my time at the Hobby School. It has provided opportunities to develop leadership skills and work closely with like-minded peers and faculty,” Imam continued. “It’s given me a new perspective on creating impactful change and fostering a supportive, professional environment. I have also learned the importance of adaptability, as unexpected challenges require flexibility and quick problem-solving.” The public policy junior got involved in the student organization to promote confidence through enhanced resources and networks that will support individuals beyond the classroom and help them succeed in public policy careers. The group recruits University of Houston students from various academic disciplines and backgrounds interested in building a stronger Hobby School student community and networking. Learn more and follow the new student organization on Instagram.
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Public Managers in Forward Motion
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The 2023-2024 Certified Public Manager program cohort is set for a December graduation in the Texas State Capitol. The government and nonprofit leaders have been on a 14-month-long executive leadership journey that included intensive sessions on personnel management, executive communication, finance and budgeting, project management and information systems. They complete the program with a final capstone presentation incorporating lessons and information they have studied.
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When cohort member Justin Crow set about planning his career trajectory, he looked at leaders he admired as examples and created a professional development plan, which included the CPM certification. “The program has deepened my understanding of leadership and effective management, which is essential for guiding my team at work,” observed the City of LaPorte assistant fire chief. “Additionally, networking with other leaders has offered valuable perspectives and contributes to my personal growth and development as a leader.”
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Crow’s group represents more than 20 municipal, county and nonprofit entities. It is co-directed by Program Director Emily Janowski and professional executive management consultant Arquella Hargrove.
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San Jacinto River Authority Division Manager Richard Tramm wanted to strengthen his management capabilities and gain practical professional training tailored to his needs. “One of my primary goals for this course was to improve my ability to work with my team. The program emphasized practical applications of management skills, facilitated by discussions with both instructors and fellow public managers. I found great value in learning from the diverse experiences of my peers, which was an unexpected benefit of the course.”
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Alumni Association Spotlight: Meet Hector Jacobo, MPA ‘22
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It is a great time of the year to plug into the Hobby School Alumni Association. Current and past students, including interns, are encouraged to participate as a way to expand their professional networks, share and compare career challenges and opportunities and build lasting relationships. Hector Jacobo got involved with the alumni association after graduating with a Master of Public Administration in 2022. He volunteers with the alumni group to stay connected with people with similar career goals and academic backgrounds.
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"What I enjoy most about serving on the alumni board is organizing events that allow future alumni to network and engage with one another," says the Kinder Morgan junior executive and the alumni association's treasurer. "I find great fulfillment in sharing advice and encouraging current students – reminding them that their hard work will ultimately pay off."
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Other officers serving through August 2025 include President Leonard Chan (MPA '09), Vice President Ana Silbas (MPP '22), Secretary Chaveli Solis (MPA '22) and Communications Chair Nimra Zubair (MPA '22). Additional board members are Robert Edrozo (MPA ’12), Dylan Osborne (MPA '15), LaDawn Fletcher (MPA ‘22), Laura Parker (MPP/MSW '19), Matthew Moseley (MPP '22), Jon Bumann (MPP '23), Santiago Franco (MPP '19) and Aylin Rodriguez (MPP '22).
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The Hobby School Alumni Association meets monthly and hosts social events like UH tailgate parties, bingo, trivia nights and group volunteer activities. Jacobo especially enjoys meeting current students and recent alumni in an informal setting. "My advice to new alumni is to keep an open mind regarding job opportunities. Even if a position feels like a detour in their career, the impact they make along the way may surpass the initial path they envisioned," added Jacobo. Upcoming events include a trek to Houston Zoo Lights, a volunteer day at Ronald McDonald House and more. To stay connected, like and follow the association on social media.
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Stay connected with the Hobby School and keep others in the loop about how Hobby School students, interns and alumni are making a difference. Tell us about your Hobby School experience.
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