Welcome to campus and the start of a new semester! This year, our growing community is closer to breaking ground on a new state-of-the-art building. With innovative learning spaces, research hubs and collaboration zones, it will shape the future of public policy education at the University of Houston for generations. I hope you will join this movement to make this a reality.

In 2024, we witnessed many student, faculty and program achievements. We had a record number of graduates, including the first undergraduates to earn their bachelor's degree in public policy. A dozen Leland Fellows returned from the nation's capital with new skills and firsthand experiences with public service at the federal level. Ninety-two Civic Houston Interns completed part-time internships in local government offices, nonprofits or electoral campaigns and volunteered nearly 1,000 hours to voter education and community initiatives. Students facilitated discussions on the state of democracy at a symposium hosted by the Texas Tribune, and a new cohort of Next Generation Leadership Academy students joined The Volcker Alliance's national network of future public service leaders.

The Hobby School has embarked on a new agile education curriculum framework, helping graduate candidates gain hands-on experience resolving complex and evolving challenges in government and public service. In addition, the Certified Public Manager program had the largest graduating cohort to date, with nearly 50 professionals earning the nationally recognized certification. The Master of Public Administration program honored local public officials whose values mirror the graduate program's principles of dynamic problem-solving and innovative and ethical leadership.

Faculty achievements included a Fulbright Scholar for international research in Australia, grant-funded research in education policy and a citation in The 2024 Economic Report of the President. Researchers and faculty led collaborative research and conversations on critical policy issues in the state, earning over 2,100 news citations.

We have much in store this spring, including luncheons benefitting transformative student opportunities and student scholarships. Follow the Hobby Fellows in Austin during the regular session of the 89th Texas Legislature and look for information on new episodes of Hobby Talks, campus lectures, research projects and state and national collaborations that enhance the student experience and inform policymakers.

Best wishes for a successful semester ahead!

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