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Book Talk and Signing: Bill Hobby, A Life in Journalism and Public Service
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Join the Hobby School of Public Affairs, the Hobby family and the authors of “Bill Hobby: A Life of Journalism and Public Service” for an insightful book talk on Nov. 19 about the school's namesake and greatest champion, former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, Jr. The new biography chronicles Bill Hobby's life and significant contributions to Texas as a journalist, lawmaker, philanthropist and visionary of the Hobby School of Public Affairs. Biographers Don Carleton and Erin L. Purdy document Hobby’s indelible influence at the Houston Post, Texas Senate and in public education. They describe the Hobby family’s Texas roots and lasting impression on the state and its residents across generations. Hobby School Dean Jim Granato will moderate the discussion with the biographers. Event check-in starts at 5 p.m., the panel discussion begins at 5:30 p.m., and a reception and book signing follow.
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Public Policy Schools Panel Discussion and Reception
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Join a conversation with the state's public affairs education leaders at Texas Southern University on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m. as they discuss the critical role of public policy schools in training the next generation of leaders to address the most pressing challenges and meet our community's evolving needs. The second annual panel discussion will also cover student recruitment, mission alignment through partnerships and national networks, expanding academic program offerings to undergraduates and other challenges and opportunities in public policy education. A networking reception will follow the panel, where guests can mingle with the panelists, students and alumni from participating schools. Registration is free but required. Featured panelists Michael Adams, Founding Director of the Executive Master of Public Administration Program, Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University Karabi C. Bezboruah, Associate Dean for Faculty and Research, College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Arlington JR DeShazo, Dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin Jim Granato, Dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston David M. Satterfield, Director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University John Sherman, Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University
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The State of American Democracy with Adam Kinzinger
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Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger will recount his time in Congress and share his hopeful vision for the country's future on Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. in the Rockwell Pavilion at the M.D. Anderson Library. The former Illinois congressman was one of two Republicans to serve on the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. Kinzinger will discuss his feelings of dissent as he stood against his party and detail his perspective on a democracy under siege. His campus visit is the last event in the Future of American Democracy lecture series presented by the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership, covering how key issues and polarization impact communities with prominent speakers committed to strengthening political participation and democratic institutions. The event is free, but registration is required.
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The Hobby Hour: Latino Voters and the 2024 Elections
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Political strategist and author Mike Madrid will discuss the impact of Latino voters on the 2024 elections and the future of politics on the next Hobby Hour with show host Dean Jim Granato. Madrid will share highlights from his new book, "The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority is Transforming Democracy," and how both major political parties tend to misunderstand the fastest-growing segment of the American electorate. Latinos have, historically, had lower voter and civic participation rates than other ethnic groups. You can watch the virtual discussion on the school's YouTube and Facebook channels at noon on Wednesday, October 23.
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Building Agile Education Curriculum and Training
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The Hobby School of Public Affairs is refining how it integrates theory and practice to meet communities' dynamic and expansive needs and equip the next generation of leaders with an adaptive toolkit for a rapidly changing world. The Hobby School's Jim Granato, Sunny Wong, Peter Koelling and Chase Untermeyer, leaders in public affairs education Angela Evans and Ed DeSeve, and former state Rep. Garnet Coleman will gather on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3-5 p.m., in the Heritage Room (Second Floor, Room 201) at Bates Law for a conversation on an agile government curriculum framework. Students and faculty are encouraged to participate in the discussion. Agile education is rooted in practical, cross-functional learning, which empowers students with the evolving skills needed for public service roles. In this information session, students will learn about the school's goals and approach to agile education, discuss initial implementation steps, ask questions and share their experiences. Registered attendees can join the discussion in person or virtually via Zoom. Pizza and refreshments will be available.
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Public Service Executives Present Best Practices
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Participants in the nationally accredited Certified Public Manager Program delivered capstone presentations on relevant topics, applying the concepts and skills they learned throughout the 14-month program. Presentation topics ranged from ways to manage large-scale technology needs, capital planning for local governments, human resource solutions to wastewater pathogen detection and in-house equipment training and certification, among many others. The 2023-2024 cohort, co-directed by Hobby School Program Director Emily Janowski and professional executive management consultant Arquella Hargrove, was the largest to date, representing over 20 municipal, county and nonprofit entities. December graduation ceremonies will take place in the State Capitol. The executive training program provides a comprehensive course of study for public sector managers to apply best practices to their roles.
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Boot Camp Boosts Civic Engagement
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Close to fifty participants of the latest Civic Engagement Boot Camp organized by the Hobby School’s Jessica Ruland O’Connor arrived motivated to inform themselves with practical know-how they can use to strengthen their communities through voter education and participation. Individuals from the university and nearby communities heard from representatives from the League of Women Voters of Houston, Houston in Action, Harris County Clerk’s Office and Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar on increasing voter participation, how elections work and where to get involved. In the final session, 26 individuals became certified as volunteer deputy registrars after training on the state rules and regulations to assist in registering eligible voters.
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Civic Houston Intern Benjamin Rizk gained a sense of readiness for the upcoming election. "I learned more about the different avenues of political involvement that tie together in making a change in one's community,” said Rizk. “The Civic Engagement Boot Camp provided me with a forum to build connections with like-minded students passionate about impacting our communities and provided us with the tools to do so," he added.
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Political Science Junior Mohammad Nobani was keen to further his knowledge and find ways to give back to the community. "I'm eager to have a voice in my country's future because our economic stability is key," said Nobani. "Choosing the right leaders is more important to me than ever. This year's boot camp was a goldmine of election insights. It taught us the value of our votes and empowered us to act. I now know how the process works, how to vote and how to help others vote. As a deputy voter registrar, my role is no longer just about voting; it's about strengthening our democracy and our freedom."
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Students Inspire Peers to Vote
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Hobby School students marked National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 17 with a campus tabling event to help energize their peers to register to vote in the upcoming local, state and national elections. Alexander Westerbeck, a Civic Houston Intern and Next Generation Leadership Academy member, spearheaded a day-long voter education and registration drive in collaboration with other civically minded students and the League of Women Voters of Houston. Other Hobby School students were also spotted across campus volunteering with student and community organizations such as the UH Student Government Association and Move Texas. Westerbeck and student volunteers gathered 27 voter registration forms and 30 vote pledge forms.
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At-Large Houston City Council Member Meets Civic Interns
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Houston City Council Member Julian Ramirez visited this semester's Civic Houston Interns in September. He shared his passion for serving the community and urged them to stay involved in local issues and government. The Houston native discussed his legal background, what drove him to run for office and the role of an at-large council member at City Hall. Council member Ramirez also fielded questions from the fall cohort about his policy priorities and problem-solving approach. UH senior and political science major Michael Frausto is assigned to Ramirez's office.
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Political Strategist Offers Election Insights During Class Visit
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Political strategist and author Luis A. Miranda, Jr., detailed his memoir, "Relentless: My Story of the Latino Voice that is Transforming America," with students in the public policy lab course taught by Instructional Associate Professor Sara Sands. Miranda discussed his extensive work in politics and political campaigns, Latino culture, community building and insights on Latino voters ahead of the 2024 election with moderator Sergio Lira, a retired educator and former Houston ISD board member. After the discussion, the author signed donated books for students. Hobby School students experience deepened learning through classroom visits. These unique opportunities foster reflection and offer targeted conversations on policy issues.
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Save the Date for the 2024 Hobby School Mixer
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Network with past and present Hobby School students, interns, Certified Public Manager participants, internship host office partners and supporters at the Hobby School Mixer on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The 2024 Hobby Leadership Award recipients will be honored for their professional accomplishments and commitment to public service. Additional details are forthcoming.
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2024 Elizabeth D. Rockwell Prize for Best Article on Ethics, Leadership and Public Policy
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Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center Best Article on Ethics, Leadership and Public Policy. Articles for the annual prize are judged on originality, scholarship and potential to impact real-world understanding of ethics in public policy. This year's grand prize belongs to Johanna Thoma, chair of ethics at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, for the article "Social Science, Policy and Democracy," which challenges the pursuit of a single, unified index for measuring economic and social phenomena. Thoma advocates for a pluralistic approach, proposing multiple indices to better reflect the diverse concerns of various groups and individuals. The article by Mollie Gerver, Patrick Lown and Dominik Duell was named the first runner-up. "Proportional Immigration Enforcement" discusses the ethics of immigration policy, including how political philosophers usually focus on broad questions about states excluding migrants or supporting open borders. Gerver is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Economy at King's College London; Lown is a research fellow in the Department of Government at the University of Essex; and Duell is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center sponsors lectures, conferences and other educational activities that encourage reflection on ethical responsibilities.
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Hobby School Partakes in Texas Policy and Politics Festival
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Hobby School students, staff and alumni were immersed in thoughtful-provoking conversations at the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival learning what it means to be a Texan, exploring the state of democracy and discovering a range of relevant policy issues, from climate change and infrastructure to immigration and the economy. They engaged with peers and speakers, asked questions and returned to campus inspired about the future and empowered with knowledge from listening to diverse ideas and perspectives.
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Stephen Gentzel, Master of Public Policy Candidate
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"I was deeply impressed by the 'Taking the Politics out of Climate' because it demonstrated that bipartisanship is still possible on issues that impact all of us. The climate often serves as a lightning rod for both sides of the political spectrum. Yet the panelists found creative ways to establish and execute climate goals in their ideologically diverse communities without political rancor."
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Anisah Khan, Fall 2024 Civic Houston Intern with the Mayor's Office of Education and Youth Engagement
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"I sat in panels that discussed what it means to define democracy, what superintendents thought about Texas' public education systems and our nation's ability to face another pandemic, to name a few. I came to TribFest not knowing what to expect and left with a new perspective and wonderful connections."
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Gabriela Hamdieh, Next Generation Leadership Academy, Fall 2024 Civic Houston Intern with the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement
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"I enjoyed the panel on ‘What Superintendents Think,’ as it provided valuable insight into the fiscal state of public education, the diverse range of needs faced by rural and urban school districts and superintendents' current challenges in supporting their students. It was critical timing as we soon approach a new legislative session and readdress the state of our public education system."
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Opportunities and Building Community Topics Shared at Town Hall
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Undergraduate student advisory council members Bryanna Nimmons and Gabriela Hamdieh called on their peers for feedback at a student-led town hall. They shared campus and school resources and opportunities, encouraging peer support and gaining input on the student experience that will help chart a positive path forward. Established in 2023, the school’s student advisory councils act as vital sounding boards for Hobby School faculty and staff, representing the voices and experiences of public policy and public administration students. They have played a key role in enhancing student success at the Hobby School, contributing ideas like encouraging a student study room that served various purposes – a place of quiet and concentration, a room to relax between classes and a collaborative area for discussions and teamwork.
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Students Kick-off Registered Student Organization
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Hobby School students have recently established a registered student organization and held their first general meeting on Oct. 1 to encourage student membership and engagement. The group is recruiting University of Houston students from various academic disciplines and backgrounds interested in building a stronger Hobby School student community and networking through co-curricular and social activities. Officers Danielle Guevara, Angel Leon and Zahra Iman connected with other students at the kick-off meeting to help align the group's momentum with student voices and experiences. You can learn more and follow the new student organization on Instagram.
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Cordero Joins Hobby School Staff
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Meet the newest Hobby School team member, Edwin Cordero, Jr. He provides project management and administrative support to our undergraduate student programs, student-focused projects and communications efforts. The Boston native has a background in higher education and healthcare administration. Cordero has held student-facing roles at Georgia Southwestern State University and Gordon State College in Georgia. He brings a passion for student mentorship and success to his new role and will help the school fulfill its civic engagement mission.
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What aspects of your role are you most looking forward to? “I'm excited about the chance to engage with a range of innovative projects and dynamic programs. I'm eager to build long-term relationships with colleagues and community partners, as these connections will not only enhance our collaborative efforts but also amplify the impact of our work. Additionally, I'm looking forward to hosting events and creating a positive and engaging atmosphere.” What advice do you have for students? “My advice for students is to stay actively engaged in clubs, work-study programs and internships. These experiences are crucial for developing practical skills, discovering your passions and building a professional network. They also provide valuable insights into your future career and can significantly enhance your career development.”
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As Texans prepare for the upcoming elections, the 2024 Texas Trends Survey reports continue to inform the public through local, regional and national news mentions. The candidate favorability poll in the U.S. Senate and presidential races made several headlines in September. Additionally, Associate Professor Mirya R. Holman authored an opinion piece for United Press International on the role of sheriffs in local government. Hobby School Senior Executive Director and Researcher Renée Cross appeared on Houston Public Media’s public affairs talk show, “Houston Matters with Craig Cohen,” to discuss a pipeline fire in a Deer Park neighborhood, Houston Mayor John Whitmire's nine-month report card following his State of the City address, the race for Texas House Speaker and other local politics and policy issues. Hobby School faculty members and researchers are sought-after experts in their fields, contributing to conversations on timely topics and policy options and addressing concerns important to Texans.
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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. Mark your calendars and join us for the next Hobby School happening. Oct. 7-11
National Voter Education Week Wednesday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m.
Houston Matters Political Roundup with Renée Cross
Houston Public Media’s News 88.7
Listen Online Thursday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
UH Graduate School Fair
Butler Plaza, University of Houston
Information Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3-5 p.m.
Agile Education Student Discussion
Heritage Room, Bates Law Building
Register Oct. 21-Nov. 1
Early Voting in Harris County Wednesday, Oct. 23, Noon-1 p.m.
The Hobby Hour: Latinos and the 2024 Election
Watch on Hobby School’s YouTube and Facebook accounts
Learn More Oct. 29
National Early Voting Day Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
2nd Annual Texas Public Policy Schools Panel Discussion
Texas Southern University, McCoy Auditorium (Firsts Floor, Room 114)
Visitor Parking in East Garage Register Wednesday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m.
Houston Matters Political Roundup with Renée Cross
Houston Public Media’s News 88.7
Listen Online
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