2025 in Sight

“This new building is an important milestone for the Hobby School and the University of Houston as it will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary policy education and research, leadership training and civic engagement,” said Jim Granato, dean of the Hobby School. “This facility will also accelerate innovation by providing our students and faculty with the resources they need to drive meaningful change. As we break ground, we reaffirm our commitment to preparing public servants and policy leaders who will shape the future of our society.”

The Hobby School celebrated its public service mission and Houston Mayor John Whitmire's first year at City Hall at its annual luncheon on Feb. 6 at the Wortham Center. Senior Research Fellow Richard Murray transported the audience to Whitmire's days as a University of Houston student before moving to the city's current challenges and the mayor's vision for Houston's future. Chaired by Hobby School Advisory Board member Kathryn McNiel in collaboration with Renée Cross and Jessica Ruland O’Connor, the event benefited Hobby Fellows working as full-time legislative interns.

A dozen undergraduates served as Hobby Fellows during the 89th Texas Legislature, supporting state legislators at the State Capitol. Throughout the 140-day biennial lawmaking session in Austin, they drafted and analyzed bills, staffed committees, conducted research and worked with constituents. Led by Jessica Ruland O’Connor, the internship program empowers students with valuable skills and lasting connections.

The Texas Metropolitan Blueprint, a research report from the Hobby School, the LBJ School and the George W. Bush Institute, headlined a symposium by The Texas Tribune on March 5 at the University of Houston-Downtown. Researchers Maria Perez Argüelles, Renée Cross and Pablo M. Pinto contributed to the five-year plan, which identifies policy recommendations to strengthen the state's metro areas, home to 90% of Texans.

Conceptual artist Nadya Tolokonnikova sat down with Patricia Restrepo, curator at the Contemporary Art Museum Houston, for a wide-ranging discussion on art as a vehicle for disruption and generating change on April 17. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts and the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership hosted the artist talk.

Fifty-seven graduates walked the stage at the ninth Hobby School commencement on May 8, representing the largest class in the school's history. Former U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady delivered the commencement address, sharing stories from his upbringing that influenced his approach to public service and lessons from the halls of Congress.

Over the summer, six students served as Harris Fellows in county government offices, taking on projects in constituent services, research, policy analysis, communications and community outreach. At the same time, sixteen students worked with four local nonprofits through the Social Economy and Enterprise Academy, completing evaluation projects that advanced each organization's impact through data-driven analysis and research.

Sandra Teran was one of 76 students nationwide selected by The Volcker Alliance for the Next Generation Service Corps Summer Policy Academy. In June, she participated in professional development workshops, met with government leaders and visited key sites in Washington, D.C., before completing a two-week residential program at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. Emily Janowski leads the Next Generation Leadership Academy at the University of Houston.

The Hobby School participated in “Boots on the Ground: Texans at Your Service,” a collaborative campaign with the LBJ School of Public Affairs in Austin and the Bush School of Government and Public Service in College Station. Led locally by the Hobby School’s Victoria Cordova, the initiative highlights alumni from the participating Texas public policy schools who are strengthening communities across the state through public service.

The Hobby School announced its new Civic Engagement Ambassadors program, which will advance civic responsibility and voter education across campus through student leaders. With mentorship from Jessica Ruland O’Connor, ambassadors Nzube Anwaegbu, Katie Newhouse and Genesis White coordinate programming and build partnerships with student organizations. Their work is supported by a national grant from the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, with the Hobby School selected as one of only four institutions in Texas to receive the award.

The Center for Public Policy launched the SPACE City Panel, a quarterly longitudinal survey, focused on critical issues facing Houston-area communities and how residents respond to evolving challenges. This long-term research initiative, conducted in collaboration with the National Opinion Research Center, captures key insights into public perceptions across a range of pressing topics and events, from community resiliency to economic well-being.

In September, Senior Research Fellow Richard Murray debuted a newsletter offering data and insights on the state’s changing demographics and political trends. In a Hobby Talks podcast episode with Dean Jim Granato, Murray introduced “Letter from Texas,” reflected on his career at the University of Houston and discussed what redistricting could mean for Texans and the balance of power in Congress.

The Hobby School welcomed a new center director and four staff members. Brandon Williams joined as director of the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership, bringing expertise in normative and applied ethics, as well as social and political philosophy. Falon Boehm is sharing the school’s mission and stories, Maggie Padilla and Kailey Moore are enriching the student experience, and Emily Cruz is enhancing operations by improving efficiency across business and center functions.

The Hobby School Advisory Board welcomed two new members, Matthew Conner and Hani Jneid. Conner is the managing principal at Arete Public Affairs and a former Hobby Fellow-Austin and Civic Houston Intern. Dr. Jneid is a cardiologist, professor and the chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch. The group of community leaders led by Chairman Ashley Smith promotes the Hobby School’s vision to train future public service leaders.

The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center launched a lecture series exploring how digital tools shape human connection, challenge privacy and influence democracy. Featuring media scholars, authors and leading voices in technology, the “Rebooting Our Relationship with Tech” talks invited audiences to reflect on the ethical dimensions of technology’s rapid growth.

Civic Houston Internship Program students completed part-time internships in government offices, nonprofits and electoral campaigns during the spring and fall semesters. In addition to their internships, the 105 undergraduates contributed 988 volunteer hours on voter education initiatives and community issues in 2025. The school's internship program is in its 29th year.

Staff members Victoria Cordova, Jessica Ruland O’Connor and Celeste Zamora joined 14 students in conversations at the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, exploring the future of the Lone Star State and key policy issues. Students connected with peers and speakers, asked insightful questions about leadership and governance and returned to campus energized by new perspectives. The Hobby School supported four panels focused on the midterm elections, higher education challenges and preparing the next generation to enter the workforce.

Matt Daeumer, assistant city manager for the City of La Porte, was selected to serve on the newly formed advisory board for the Texas Certified Public Manager Program. The board provides guidance as CPM programs expand enrollment and offerings across Texas. As one of the first members invited to help shape the board, Daeumer will play a foundational role in setting its direction. Emily Janowski and Arquella Hargrove co-direct the CPM program at the University of Houston.

Hobby School faculty and researchers shape public policy discussions and explore Texans’ perspectives on critical issues. In the past fiscal year, the school garnered 2,149 news citations, including coverage of surveys such as Texas Legislative Issues, City of Houston, Texas Trends and the Congressional District 18 Special Election. They also authored opinion editorials on gun reform in the Houston Chronicle and on adult education programs in The 74.