On Friday, April 11, the Hobby School took a momentous step into the future of public affairs education and the next generation of leaders. Surrounded by our loyal supporters and university and community leaders, President Renu Khator and I welcomed everyone to the University of Houston and the future site of the 42,000-square-foot state-of-the-art academic building for the Hobby School. It was a memorable celebration with state lawmakers, including former Texas state Rep. Garnet Coleman, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, former Texas House speakers Dade Phelan and Dennis Bonnen, and Texas state Rep. Armando Walle, the grandchildren of Bill Hobby, Eric and Walker Hobby, and others who were instrumental to the historic day.

Speaker Burrows spoke about the far-reaching impact of policy, saying, "Policy is not made in a vacuum, and what is being done here is going to make a difference, not only in Houston but in Austin, the entire state and the entire world." Former state Rep. Coleman, a longtime Hobby School champion whose involvement spans decades to the Center for Public Policy, talked about the specialness of the University of Houston and challenged the audience to continue the work of elevating the school. Eric Hobby said his grandfather's greatest legacy is education and that "Houston cannot be a great city without UH being a great university."

The Hobby family embodies public service, and we are proud that the legendary former Texas lieutenant governor and his family's legacy will continue through this new building, effectively connecting study with practice. This building will facilitate interactions among students, policymakers and practitioners and serve as a hub for research, civic engagement and thought-provoking lectures on policy issues and leadership challenges. There will be dedicated research labs, collaboration areas, a Hobby memorial reading room, a multimedia studio and other spaces that thoughtfully promote productivity and wellness.

The Hobby School's influence, both on and off campus, depends on its collaborative approach and the support of the community. It is seen in the Hobby School Advisory Board members and its community and governmental partners, who are deeply dedicated to student success. It is evident in the passion of our faculty and staff, who are on the frontlines of our mission and culture, and the UH leadership and innovative architects who have made this a reality.

We consider our alumni an integral part of our story and fabric, embracing our mission in their professions and communities. Alumni like Edith Santamaria have leveraged their classroom learning and real-world experiences at the Hobby School to achieve impactful careers. Edith is one of three former Civic Houston Interns now serving as chief of staff to a Houston city councilmember. She has worked at all levels of government and capped her undergraduate training by earning a Master of Public Policy. Today, she employs and mentors students in the Civic Houston Internship Program, the very same program that introduced her to public service.

The necessary knowledge and skills of tomorrow's workforce are wide-ranging and multidimensional, but our vision is bold. We continue implementing curriculum strategies and initiatives that extend beyond the classroom to position our students and alumni at the forefront of effective government and community leadership. It's an era of growth with a variety of opportunities to equip our students with an adaptable toolkit for a rapidly changing world.

As construction starts and the Hobby School turns the page on a new chapter, your continued partnership strengthens our progress and ensures a transformational future. Read a UH story, "There's No Place Like Home," for more on the journey to constructing a home and how science and culture play a key role in every detail of the building design. 

Jim Granato, PhD
Dean
Hobby School of Public Affairs
University of Houston