Building Agile Education 

The Hobby School is refining how it integrates theory and practice to meet the expansive and dynamic needs of communities and to equip the next generation of leaders with the evolving knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to drive meaningful change. The graduate program curriculum framework aims to incorporate the core principles of agile government learning and engage practitioners and students through tabletop exercises and experiential learning opportunities.   

Enhancing Community Connections and Practical Skills 

Graduate candidates at the Hobby School gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies and challenges of municipal government through the Teaching Cities Program, which launched in the fall of 2024. Partner cities, including Bellaire, Deer Park, Friendswood, Missouri City and Piney Point Village, expand on formal classroom instruction through innovative training, where students spend up to 25 hours a week gaining firsthand exposure to multiple city services through department rotations, site visits and ride-along arrangements.  

"This program has allowed students to gain on-the-job experience and solve real problems with our partner cities," said Peter M. Koelling, an instructional associate professor and director of graduate initiatives at the Hobby School. "We are thoughtfully involving our community and practitioners in the field to foster continuous growth, agility and transformation in our teaching approach."

 

When Master of Public Administration candidate Karah Delong walked into the City of Deer Park offices, she was eager to apply her classroom knowledge and experience as a former educator to the summer assignment. "I often told my former students that experience matters, and in this role, I learned through site visits, sitting in on department director meetings, attending council meetings and grant writing," said Delong, whose background is in chemistry. 

Applications 

Students must have completed at least six graduate-level credit hours to be eligible for the program. Priority will be given to students who are closer to graduation. Participants may earn academic credit and will receive a monthly stipend. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the Teaching Cities Program and how this unique experience will advance your academic and professional development to Peter Koelling at pkoelling@uh.edu. The deadline to submit all documentation for the spring of 2026 is January 18. For questions about the internship or application process, contact Peter Koelling.