Welcome back to campus and the start of a new academic year. For first-year students, I'm eager to learn what inspired you to pursue your studies at the Hobby School and how we can support your commitment to making a difference. For returning Coogs, we hope to build on the meaningful connections you established with your peers, instructors and staff and help you reach new heights in your training. Our internships and public service opportunities provide tremendous depth and application.

With growth and success comes a heightened responsibility to live up to the vision of our namesake, Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, and to tackle the most difficult challenges. We are refining how we integrate theory and practice to meet the expansive and dynamic needs of communities and to equip future leaders with an amendable toolkit for a rapidly changing world. As we close in on the general election, we lean into what makes the school a thriving resource for public affairs education, research and civic engagement.

We invite the campus and surrounding communities to participate in a day-long workshop on increasing voter participation and civic leadership on Sept. 13. Speakers will empower participants with information, hands-on demonstrations and training to become Volunteer Deputy Registrars in Harris County.

Hobby School researchers released reports addressing Texans' positions on the 2024 election candidates and leading issues in the Lone Star State as part of the 2024 Texas Trends Survey. I will share key findings from the statewide survey series at the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Annual Data Summit.

The fall is shaping up to be eventful. Join the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership for a lecture series examining the state of democracy and political climate. The Future of American Democracy lectures will feature prominent speakers committed to strengthening political participation and democratic institutions.

In November, we'll host a book launch for a newly published biography chronicling Bill Hobby's life of public service and significant contributions to Texas as a journalist, lawmaker, philanthropist and visionary of the Hobby School of Public Affairs.

Our undergraduate advisory council is organizing a student-led town hall on Sept. 10 to foster community, encourage peer support and gather input on the Hobby School student experience.

Our staff is providing transformative programming and student mentorship. This fall, we will introduce the largest Civic Houston Internship Program cohort in the school's history, welcome the third class of Next Generation Leadership Academy students and recruit Hobby Fellows to work at the Texas State Capitol during the regular session of the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025.

We continue to recruit faculty and practitioners who lead their fields and bring diverse academic disciplines to the classroom. Valentine Gilbert, the newest assistant professor, will teach undergraduates economics and policy analysis, as well as theory and practice. Nora Reikosky, the 2024-2025 Elizabeth D. Rockwell Visiting Professor, will teach an undergraduate course on contemporary political philosophy and policy.

As we navigate the first week of classes, I challenge you to find new ways to live our mission and advance our work on and off campus.

I look forward to the year ahead.

Jim Granato, Ph.D.
Dean
Hobby School of Public Affairs
University of Houston