July 2023 Newsletter

New survey examines abortion laws in Texas, California and Arizona

A new three-state survey examines the public opinion of Texans, Californians and Arizonans on the laws that regulate abortion where they live. The report is the first in a series by a collaboration of researchers at the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University's The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Stanford University's Bill Lane Center for the American West and Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR).

 

Differences among these states' abortion regulations mirror the intense debate the issue sparks across the country, according to researchers.

 

“The California approach of allowing abortions through 23 or 24 weeks of pregnancy continues the Roe and Casey philosophy, with the majority of Californians not supporting change. Arizona now bans abortions after 15 weeks, which is closer in alignment with the average Arizonan than the Roe and Casey guidelines were,” said Richard Murray, senior research fellow at the UH Hobby School of Public Affairs.

 

Upcoming polling analysis will examine and compare attitudes toward transgender issues, immigration, political affiliation influence and perceptions of these national issues within each state.

Public sector professionals complete management program

Certified Public Manager Program participants marked their completion of the nationally recognized certification program at a ceremony held at the Texas State Capitol on June 16.

 

The CPM program provides a comprehensive course of study for public sector managers to learn and apply best practices to their roles. Hobby School program director Emily Janowski and communications manager Celeste Zamora were among the 26 graduates from the Hobby School representing Houston-area government and nonprofit offices. Earlier this month, participants delivered capstone presentations on a range of topics, including grant writing for public agencies, higher education communications strategies, team building and culture.

 

The graduation ceremony speaker, Amy Parham, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Texas, was introduced by Miha Vindis, director of the Certified Public Manager Program for Texas. Parham described the historical context of these programs to gain a better perspective on how to serve our communities. The program has more than 2,800 graduates in Texas and was established in 1996 at the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service to enhance the quality and efficiency of executive and emerging government leaders.

 

Upon completing the 14-month program, graduates earn the professional credential of CPM. Learn more.

Student leaders reach new levels at national summit

Four members of the Hobby School Next Generation Leadership Academy attended the inaugural Next Generation Service Corp Summer Summit for a national gathering with NextGen Service Corp students from universities throughout the country from June 5-8. Alexia Aguilar, Ruth Brittingham, Gabriela Hamdieh and Brianna Nimmons experienced five days of intensive workshops and immersive experiences focused on team and skill-building at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

 

The student summit was sponsored by The Volcker Alliance, whose $100,000 grant helped found the Next Generation Leadership Academy at the University of Houston in 2022 for undergraduate students passionate about public service and social impact. Check out summit highlights in photos and testimonies.

 

The Next Generation Leadership Academy was recently awarded a Cougar Initiative to Engage grant from the UH Office of the Provost. The $15,000 award will directly support Next Generation Leadership Academy students participating in the Civic Houston Internship Program.

Program News

Spring CHIP award winner engaged in voter registration

NSF grant addresses energy transition workforce

In June, Hobby School faculty and instructors worked with students for a second year at the summer Data Science for Energy Transition camp for undergraduate and master’s students. The program is supported by a National Science Foundation grant to address the need for a diverse data science workforce to optimize conventional energy and lead the transition to emerging sources. The principal investigator is Mikyoung Jun from the UH Department of Mathematics. Hobby School professors Pablo Pinto and Sunny Wong are co-PI and senior personnel, respectively. They and the Hobby School’s Maria Pérez Argüelles, research associate, Gail Buttorff, instructional assistant professor, and Agustín Vallejo, post-doctoral fellow, covered the public policy module of the program.

Nonprofit partnership program kicks off third year

Social Economy and Enterprise Academy graduate and undergraduate students in economics and public policy are working with area nonprofits on data analysis and evaluation projects to optimize the organizations’ impact on local communities. Student teams work with the nonprofit leadership, under faculty supervision, to develop an enterprise idea, conduct quantitative research or create a venture plan. The co-curricular program, a joint effort of UH College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the Hobby School, is led by German Cubas and Piruz Saboury, UH Department of Economics, and Pablo Pinto, Hobby School.

 

This year, the participating nonprofits are the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, Center for Civic & Public Policy Improvement, Evolve Houston and Open Gate Homeless Ministries. Students will present the culmination of their work at a special presentation on Aug. 17.

A Review: 2023 Texas legislative session’s impact on Houstonians

Hobby School team members and students attended an informative legislative conversation hosted by The Texas Tribune at the University of Houston-Downtown with moderator Sonal Shah, chief executive officer of The Texas Tribune, and panelists state Sen. Carol Alvarado and Chief Policy Officer Taylor Landin of the Greater Houston Partnership.

 

The Hobby School helped sponsor the Houston-centered discussion to bring an understanding of state policymaking and its impact on Houston’s economic future to area students and leaders. Students gained insight into how government impacts communities and had the opportunity to network with decision-makers working to create positive policies. Watch the conversation on demand.

Faculty and Staff News

Program director moves to pursue MBA

O’Hara started at the Hobby School in 2020, overseeing public-facing and special projects. She later became the program director of the Hobby School’s inaugural cohort of the Next Generation Leadership Academy for UH undergraduates interested in social impact. UH is the first university in Texas to engage in this national partnership with The Volcker Alliance. She also co-directed the UH Certified Manager Program for managers dedicated to public service and the CONNECT program for graduate students working with nonprofit organizations.

Hobby School promotes director

Janowski has a Master of Business Administration in organizational development from The University of Texas at Tyler and a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is an experienced public service professional, having worked as a county extension agent in family and consumer science for Texas A&M University Agrilife Extension. She recently received her Certified Public Manager professional designation for public service executives.

Advisory Board Spotlight

Ashley Smith was approved as vice chair of the Hobby School Advisory Board at the June meeting. Smith has been a longtime board member and supporter of the school's mission.

 

A former state representative in the Texas legislature, he chaired several standing committees, including financial institutions, higher education, science and technology and the budget and oversight committees with oversight of the Texas Department of Insurance. A University of Texas School of Law graduate, Smith has served in several leadership capacities in private, government, education and nonprofit organizations. He is currently acting counsel for the Houston Community College District and an adjunct professor of business law at the University of St. Thomas.  

Hobby School in the News

In the first of several topic reports, the Hobby School joined researchers at Arizona State University and Stanford University to survey their respective state’s public opinions on abortion laws. The three-state survey and outcomes of the regular session of the 88th Texas Legislature headlined this month’s media activity. Hobby School’s Renée Cross addressed the latest local and national political news, from President Trump’s indictment to the Houston mayoral and city controller races, in a recent appearance on the Houston Public Media’s Houston Matters Political Roundup show, bringing the year’s total to more than 170 media citations.

Hobby School Happenings

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.

 

Wednesday, July 5, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Graduate School Information Session (Virtual)

Register

 

Monday, July 10

Summer 2023 Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship Application Deadline

Apply

 

Thursday, July 27

National Intern Day

 

Tuesday, Aug. 1

Fall 2023 Master of Public Policy Application Deadline (Domestic)

Information

 

Friday, Aug. 4

Fall 2023 Civic Houston Internship Program Application Deadline

Apply

 

Thursday, Aug. 10, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Graduate School Information Session (Virtual)

Register

 

Thursday, Aug. 17, 5 p.m.

Social Economy and Enterprise Academy Student Presentations

Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion, MD Anderson Library

 

Monday, Aug. 21

First Day of Fall 2023 Classes