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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The Hobby School stationed University of Houston students in Austin during this legislative session, where they work in the offices of state legislators, staff committees, support constituents and research state policy. Hobby School team members Diana Benitez and Jessica Ruland O’Connor checked in with the 2025 Hobby Fellows in February as House committee assignments were announced. They found public policy junior Cullen Watkins eager to play a critical role in the lawmaking process. After an orientation period, Watkins started meeting with stakeholders and House District 127 residents who called on the office of Texas state Rep. Charles Cunningham to discuss issues and policies relevant to the north Harris County region, which includes Humble, Huffman, Kingwood and Atascocita.
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“One workday I read the entire Texas Health and Human Services Medicaid and CHIP Reference Guide, trying to digest and soak up the governing framework and all the insurance knowledge. I’ve always had an interest in this topic, but now I have an excuse to fully immerse myself,” says Watkins, whose main interest is controlled substance policies. “I also created a document detailing all of the public health organizations’ stances on certain topics for the legislative director.”
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The 140-day biennial lawmaking session experience can transform a student’s future. Past Hobby Fellows have gone on to leadership positions in finance, government, nonprofit and advocacy fields. A couple are working in the Texas House and Senate today, guiding and mentoring the next generation of public servants. Hobby Fellows build the skills, knowledge and networks in the halls of the Pink Dome they need to fulfill their academic and career goals. Stay tuned for more updates on the Hobby Fellows led by Jessica Ruland O’ Connor.
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MPA Candidate Shines on the Court
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When Leyla Taghiyeva took to the Fertitta Center basketball court earlier this year, she was ready to showcase her talents outside the classroom: singing. The Master of Public Administration candidate has a bright musical history that began in her home nation of Azerbaijan and continues today as a University of Houston graduate student preparing for graduation in May. She chose to pursue an advanced degree at the Hobby School to challenge herself academically and professionally. "With my background in nonprofit work and international relations, I wanted to strengthen my ability to navigate policy, governance and public service leadership. The Hobby School's MPA program provided the perfect opportunity to develop practical skills in policy analysis and program management while engaging with experts who drive real-world decision-making," Taghiyeva says. Performing the Star-Spangled Banner for fellow Coogs and fans of the Houston Cougars men's basketball team was a memorable moment for Taghiyeva, who balances her graduate courseload and work in policy analysis and program evaluation at UH ACES Institute, an education and student performance center working in the community. The experience could soon be surpassed when she performs the national anthem at the Hobby School commencement ceremony before she walks across the stage on May 8. Taghiyeva will also celebrate another graduate, her spouse Miguel Patino, who earned a dual master's degree in economics and public policy in the fall. A December UH story spotlighted their journey from classmates to life partners. They will be joined by her parents from Azerbaijan and the families and friends of the more than forty Hobby School graduates.
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Graduating Senior Moves Forward
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Jeremias Iraheta started the new year by embracing new opportunities in climate justice and addressing community food insecurity through work with Legacy Community Health. He also undertook a Civic Houston Internship Program assignment focused on research with the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement, complementing his coursework toward a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy with a minor in health. Most recently, Iraheta was accepted into graduate school at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. He says every step at the Hobby School has supported his academic growth and passion for creating healthier communities through mobilization, education and advocacy.
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“Growing up in Houston, I saw many communities affected by systemic injustices. Choosing the Hobby School allowed me to stay local while learning more about addressing these inequities,” Iraheta reflected.
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The graduating senior has been a viable member of the Hobby School community and one of the early undergraduates in public policy to meet the standard for membership into Pi Alpha Alpha, the public affairs and administration global honor society. Iraheta has been active in student organizations, attended numerous lectures, cut his teeth on data analysis and research at the Center for Public Policy and built a vibrant network of peers and mentors. He exemplifies the Hobby School’s mission to provide the next generation of public service professionals with interdisciplinary education and experiential learning to prepare for future challenges.
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Congratulations to the Class of 2025
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Iraheta is one of 46 students in the spring 2025 Civic Houston Internship Program cohort led by Jessica Ruland O’Connor exploring public service paths. Following commencement, destinations for the graduating seniors include careers in public service, law school and graduate school. Congratulations, Class of 2025. Go Coogs!
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MPA Candidate Wins Top Spot Implementing Coursework
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Master of Public Administration candidate Juliet Amponsah helped take her team to the first position in UH Population Health's inaugural interdisciplinary population health case competition in February. The competition posed a fictitious case describing a Category 4 storm with a 14-foot surge impacting Houston. Participants from various colleges working in teams were asked to formulate economic, health and social recovery measures to mitigate the storm's impact. With knowledge acquired from policy implementation and public budgeting courses, Amponsah suggested her team use the tools taught to her by Peter M. Koelling, director of the Master of Public Administration program and course instructor. "We used the three R's – readiness, responsiveness and recovery – in addressing the success measures of the Recovery Plan while emphasizing the three C's – communication, coordination and cooperation – to get all parties involved," she said. "By line-itemizing our budget, we ensured financial accuracy, transparency and accountability to the government organizations and citizens involved." "My team and I used all the tools [Koelling] gave us," she expressed in a note to her professor after the competition. Amponsah and her team sealed the competition with an evaluation survey, employing facets of policy implementation to narrow, prioritize and address the concerns of those most impacted by the storm. The competition brings together graduate students from different academic backgrounds to collaborate and address critical issues using real-world scenarios.
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Alumni Share Applicable Skills and Leadership
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Hobby School’s Celeste Zamora caught up with Gareth Morgans, Paige Powell and Chad Randall following an alumni panel discussion with the 2025-2026 Certified Public Manager program cohort. They shared their professional journeys and the benefits of the certification, which is co-directed by the Hobby School's Emily Janowski and professional executive management consultant Arquella Hargrove.
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Gareth Morgans was a Civic Houston Intern while pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Houston. Following graduation, Morgans worked on political and public relations campaigns and later in the district office of the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and the office of Houston City Councilmember David Robinson. CPM expanded his skills while fulfilling his professional and civic life.
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How has CPM benefited your career? "Going through the program gave me great confidence. I realized I could continue my education at a level better suited for me. It provided aspects of leadership and management training related to government, such as human resources and higher-level finances. It also introduced me to a cohort of incredible municipal employees from other cities who provided valuable insight and advice." The 2019 winner of the Hobby Leadership Award attributes his civic engagement experiences and executive training through the Hobby School to building his professionalism in public service. He says, "I found you don't always have to be the smartest person in the room, but you must always be the hardest working person," encouraging cohort members to "keep up the hard work and keep moving forward to make things better in your communities, cities and lives."
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Paige Powell reflected on her Hobby School experiences and expanded statewide public service and policy work. As a regular visitor to the Capitol dome, Powell has built a regional network of community leaders and lawmakers. She shared her motivation to pursue the certification program and how it has impacted her career.
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What drew you to CPM? "I had been in the workforce and out of school for almost ten years but felt stagnant in my career. The CPM program was a way to level up my credentials in public sector management without taking on the large commitment of graduate school." How has CPM benefited your career? "The CPM program provided me with a strong foundation and breadth of knowledge on best practices across public management, which has allowed me to be successful in many different arenas. Whether I was managing a cohort of interns, a nonprofit board of directors, a team of artists, or an issue-based coalition of stakeholders, the fundamental skills have been transferable and applicable across a variety of settings." In addition to the CPM certification, Powell holds a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in political science and participated in the Civic Houston Internship Program. She earned a Master of Public Policy in 2020 and was a past recipient of the Hobby Leadership Award. As the founder and principal consultant of PPP Strategies, Powell specializes in nonprofit management solutions, education strategies and climate policy proposals rooted in environmental justice.
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City of Pearland Assistant Chief of Police Chad Randall was looking for a professional development program that would cover various managerial and leadership topics and include a diverse group of peers from different professions when he found the nationally recognized certification opportunity.
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How has CPM benefited your career? "While I only graduated from the CPM program in December of 2024, I have already used lessons learned in everyday interactions and during leadership retreats. The capstone project allowed me to showcase an important topic not only within my organization but also to professional affiliates." Randall researched performance management systems for his capstone project and has since expanded it for presentations to City of Pearland administrators and professional organizations. The police executive has a bachelor's degree in political science from UH and advanced degrees from Texas Women's University and Sam Houston State University. He is also the father of a UH student and a Life Member of the UH Alumni Association.
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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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