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Boots on the Ground: Texans at Your Service
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In collaboration with the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Bush School of Government and Public Service, the Hobby School participated in a statewide campaign featuring alumni who are working to make the Lone Star State a better place through public service. “Boots on the Ground: Texans at Your Service” spotlights former students and interns who are leading in government and nonprofit roles, like Emily Joslin, a dual graduate with degrees in public policy and social work, who leveraged her Hobby School experiences into a career in government relations at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She combined the firsthand knowledge she gained as a Civic Houston Intern in Houston and a Hobby Fellow in Austin during her undergraduate studies, along with the skills she learned in the classroom as a graduate candidate, to actualize her passion for contributing to something greater. Rohit Shajan, a policy analyst in the Texas Senate, was introduced to public service through the Hobby School. Shajan completed all four of the school's internship programs, including serving as a Hobby Fellow in Austin, which was a bridge to his current role at the Texas State Capitol. From local government offices to Washington, D.C., his extensive internship experiences position him perfectly to serve his district and the people of Texas. Bridget Wallenberger is leveraging services and resources to help Texans thrive. The Master of Public Policy alumna balanced her student-athlete demands with graduate coursework to shape her career as a community programs director at the Texas Association of Regional Councils. She is motivated to develop real solutions that enhance the quality of life for older adults. Cyrus Hosseini began his tenure in the Texas House as a Hobby Fellow in Austin, where he worked full-time as a legislative intern in 2023. He deepened his knowledge of policy and the lawmaking process as a district director and policy advisor in the 89th Texas Legislature. Today, Hosseini is a policy fellow at The College Board, where he supports K-12 and higher education issues and expands opportunities for students. Texas public policy programs are preparing the next generation of leaders. Stay tuned to meet other alumni in the “Boots on the Ground” series who are serving fellow Texans in various impactful roles across the state.
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Why Congress? The Balance of Power in America
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On the latest episode of Hobby Talks, political scientist Philip Wallach examines the 119th Congress, an increasingly dominant White House and the deepening polarization of the legislative branch. Wallach guides listeners through Congress's role as the founders intended and how it has fulfilled that job differently throughout history, emphasizing its importance in shaping policy and maintaining a balance of power among the branches of government. He fast-forwards to today's leadership-driven institution, offering insight into its potential future and strategies to necessitate power sharing and a return to deliberation and bipartisan dealmaking. Wallach is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies the separation of powers in America. He is the author of "Why Congress," a book on the necessity of a thriving Congress and how it can reassert its relevance. The episode is available on the Hobby School's website and popular podcast applications. Stay tuned for a new season of Hobby Talks programming in the fall.
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Supporting the Next Generation: Host a Civic Houston Intern
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Are you seeking a mission-oriented intern to drive your organization forward? Become a host office for the Civic Houston Internship Program and empower University of Houston students to integrate classroom learning with real-world application. With the commitment and support of community partners, 1,800 undergraduates have been introduced to public service through part-time assignments in local government offices, nonprofits and electoral campaigns. Directed by Jessica Ruland O’Connor, the flagship internship program offers students an exceptional opportunity to explore and learn about various aspects of working in public service, from resolving constituent issues to community outreach efforts. Learn more and apply to host a student by Friday, July 18. What do Civic Houston Interns do? Undergraduates in the Civic Houston Internship Program represent a diverse range of majors on campus and contribute to projects and daily operations at host offices. They add a fresh perspective and influence team dynamics and productivity as they build lasting relationships and develop professionally.
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Applications for 2026 Leland Fellows are Open through Oct. 6
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The Hobby School is accepting applications for the 2026 Leland Fellows program in Washington, D.C., through Monday, Oct. 6. Leland Fellows will embark as federal interns in the nation's capital in the spring, researching legislation, attending committee hearings and working on special projects on Capitol Hill. Juniors and seniors with a passion for public service are considered the ideal candidates.
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After her congressional internship in 2024, former Leland Fellow Victoria Grajeda stayed in Washington, taking on a full-time position with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and later in the U.S. House of Representatives. “This experience allowed me to see the importance of interconnectedness and fostering relationships to get legislation passed. Being a great communicator truly is key to being a good advocate and passing life-changing bills. It's a great balance between getting work experience and learning the ins and outs of Congress. I established a networking base in D.C." - Victoria Grajeda, 2024 Leland Fellow in the office of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett
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UH Promotes Fast-Track Admissions Ahead of Aug. 1 Deadline
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Advanced degrees at the Hobby School provide a solid foundation for entering the public service sector or advancing your career toward the next step. The emphasis on leadership and an interdisciplinary approach equips graduates with transferable skills applicable to a range of career goals. The University of Houston is offering fast-track admissions for qualifying students and recent alumni into select graduate programs, including the Master of Public Policy and Master of Public Administration programs. It streamlines the application process for qualified candidates, making it faster and easier, and waives the application fee. The admissions deadline for the fall is Aug. 1. Candidates can join an upcoming virtual information session for insight into the admissions process, degree funding, career outcomes and more.
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Meet New Program Manager Emily Cruz Sariles
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Please welcome Emily Cruz Sariles to the Hobby School as a program manager supporting the Center for Public Policy, the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership and business operations. Most recently, she served as the outreach coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Houston, where she managed volunteer and event logistics, including the League's Rising Star program, and supported operational reporting and program outcome evaluation. Cruz earned dual undergraduate degrees in political science and Spanish at the University of Houston in 2024, with minors in quantitative social science and public leadership.
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Through the Hobby School, Cruz combined the firsthand experience from her Civic Houston Internship Program assignments with Teach for America and the League of Women Voters of Houston, along with the leadership skills and national network she gained from the Next Generation Leadership Academy, to grow her passion for public service and civic engagement. What aspects of your role are you most looking forward to? "I’m most looking forward to supporting the business team and contributing to the impactful work at the Center for Public Policy and the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership. These centers are at the heart of the Hobby School’s mission, and I’m excited to support their efforts and help ensure their continued success." How does it feel to be back at the Hobby School? "Coming back feels incredibly full circle. It is both exciting and a privilege to contribute to the same mission that helped guide my path as a student. I am eager to bring my perspective, grow in this new chapter and help create meaningful opportunities for others just as the Hobby School did for me."
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Emily Janowski Elected to UH Staff Council
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Congratulations to the Hobby School's Emily Janowski on her election to the UH Staff Council for the new academic year. Since joining the Hobby School in 2018, Janowski has been a dynamic force, collaborating with various team members and external partners on and off campus to advance the school's mission. As director of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, Janowski leads a national initiative in partnership with The Volcker Alliance and 25 member universities to prepare undergraduates for impactful careers in public service. She also co-directs the Certified Public Manager program, a nationally accredited certification program for public sector professionals.
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Janowski brings a wealth of experience from her previous work at Texas A&M University and other public service roles. She holds an MBA with a concentration in organizational development from the University of Texas at Tyler. Outside of work, Janowski is an artist and avid traveler with a goal to visit every U.S. National Park. She shares her adventures with her spouse, William Janowski, a Master of Public Policy alumnus and former Hobby Fellow-Austin, Leland Fellow-Washington and Civic Houston Intern.
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Health Care Under the Stethoscope
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Students in Sam Arenberg's summer course examine how the rise in life expectancy can be traced back to specific discoveries and inventions. He notes that life expectancy roughly doubled in 150 years after being essentially stagnant for 100,000 years. Arenberg employs various methods to keep students motivated. Grades are primarily based on participation, with an emphasis on active learning through the use of clickers and in-class quizzes. "My philosophy is that if students enjoy learning, they'll learn," said the assistant professor who divides his UH Presidential Frontier Faculty duties between the Hobby School and the UH Department of Economics. "They know in real time how they're doing, and they can focus on current material without the growing weight of past lectures looming over them." In the fall, he will return to a project he has focused on since joining the University of Houston in 2023, which explores an interesting trend in life expectancy.
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Intern Awarded for Outstanding Civic Engagement
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Congratulations to Danielle Guevara for her recognition as the Spring 2025 Civic Houston Internship Program Award recipient. The public policy major has consistently demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement and building a community for her peers. Her spring assignment in the Harris County District Attorney's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Community Engagement contributed to her understanding of how public service directly impacts communities. She returned to the same team as a Harris Fellow this summer, building on the skills she learned both in the classroom and on the job. As Guevara currently takes on outreach and education efforts to foster trust between the district attorney's office and the community, she looks forward to starting the Master of Public Administration program in the fall.
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Celebrate Recent Grads at Alumni Annual Meeting, July 20
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The Hobby School Alumni Association invites students, alumni, staff and faculty to attend the association's annual meeting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, at the District 7 Grill restaurant in East Downtown. President Leonard Chan and his fellow board officers organized the gathering to celebrate recent graduates, foster new connections and networking opportunities and elect officers for the upcoming year. Attendees can enjoy light bites, sign up for a chance to win a door prize and learn about events, such as the recent trivia night, which brought alumni groups from the University of Houston together. Alumni Melky Ortiz (MPA '25), Usman Mahmood (MPA '23) and Sydney Hargroder (MPA '24) brought home second place. Learn more about the meeting by joining the Hobby School Alumni Association's Facebook page.
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Hobby School faculty members and researchers contribute to conversations on topics that impact public policy and address Texans' opinions on issues of importance to the state and nation. Recent media coverage included articles citing survey findings from the City of Houston 2025: Issues, Performance and Quality of Life report on the opinions of Houstonians regarding sports entertainment venues. Senior Executive Director Renée Cross shared insights on the city's fiscal future with Houston Public Media. She and fellow researcher Mark P. Jones joined the weekly political roundup on the "Houston Matters with Craig Cohen" show, discussing immigration, nationwide protests and key local races.
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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. Friday, July 18
Application Deadline for Hosting a Fall 2025 Civic Houston Intern
Apply Sunday, July 20, 1-3 p.m.
Hobby School Alumni Association Annual Meeting
District 7 Grill EADO
1508 Hutchins St.
Houston, TX, 77003 Thursday, July 31
National Intern Day Friday, August 1
2025-2026 Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center Prize for Best Article on Ethics, Leadership and Public Policy
Learn More Friday, Aug. 1
Domestic Graduate School Application Deadline for Fall 2025
Apply Tuesday, Aug. 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Graduate Programs Information Session
Virtual Thursday, Aug. 14, 5-7 p.m.
Save the Date: Social Economy and Enterprise Academy Presentations Sunday, Aug. 17
National Nonprofit Day Monday, Aug. 25
First Day of Classes
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