The reputation of the Hobby School of Public Affairs as a dynamic hub for public policy education, innovative research and civic engagement is evident in the Hobby School students and alumni who are active in their communities and excelling at their workplaces. We turn the spotlight on the emerging leaders and professionals making a difference in government, nonprofit and corporate arenas.

Student Spotlight

Lorenzo Salinas works on a grid project for a better Texas

Lorenzo Salinas was selected as a research assistant for a Hobby School research project on the Texas electric grid because of his academic performance and passion for public policy.

The dual degree candidate for a Master of Social Work/Master of Public Policy is using his advanced research skills with fellow MPP candidate Catherine Miers and Hobby School senior researchers on work that will help government policy improve the reliability of the state’s energy infrastructure.

Salinas was recently selected to participate in the 2023 Social Economy and Enterprise Academy (SEEA). The SEEA, a collaboration between the Hobby School and the UH Department of Economics, provides students with the skills to work on a team project assisting nonprofits with data analysis and evaluation. He was also selected to serve on the Hobby School graduate student advisory committee, where he shares input on the student experience and works to increase student engagement.

The Baytown, Texas native came to the University of Houston after a stellar undergraduate career at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Salinas realized education would help him supersede the expected future of young Hispanic males from underserved communities.

At the Hobby School, Salinas surrounds himself with mentors like Dean Jim Granato, who challenge and encourage him. The hardships he has conquered serve as inspiration to help others.

“My overall passion is to apply my knowledge to empower marginalized groups and vulnerable populations through education and advocacy,” says Salinas. “I chose the Hobby School because the academics are centered on ethics, integrity and leadership and rooted in public service. These are the qualities I try to live by every day.”

Kudos

Former Civic Houston Intern in law school

Former Civic Houston Intern Maya Ali has accepted a summer internship with Fidelity Investments. The Juris Doctor candidate at the University of Oklahoma College of Law graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public health. She will be working in the legal department as a first-year legal intern.

CHIP alum moves to new Texas legislative office

Roel Benavides has accepted a position as chief of staff for State Representative Charles Cunningham for the 88th Texas Legislative Session. Benavides, a 2015 Hobby Fellow, has worked on the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety and the House Committee on Corrections.

Civic Houston Intern presents undergraduate research

Civic Houston Intern Caitlyn Foret was a featured researcher at the UH Undergraduate Research Day. The first-generation college student is a strategic communications major and political science minor, interning in the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security this semester. She is a former director of the Student Government Association and is active on campus with the Honors College. Her research project explored corporate LGBTQ+ pride advertisements and corporate responsibility.

Former Leland Fellow accepts advocacy and data lead position

Sarah Imran has accepted a new position as an advocacy and data lead for OCA-Greater Houston, a community organization advocating for the current and evolving needs of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander population in Houston. Imran was a 2022 Leland Fellow in the office of U.S. Congressman Al Green and previously served as an at-large senator for the UH Student Government Association.

Former Hobby Fellow accepts a legislative position withTexas civic rights organization

Wasiq Javed has started work at Texas Civil Rights Project as a legislative coordinator for the 2023 legislative session. He worked as the outreach coordinator for the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Houston, where he developed his experience increasing civic engagement among the Muslim community. Javed was a 2021 Hobby Fellow and Hobby School Civic Houston Intern.

Powell becomes policy manager placement with statewide nonprofit

Paige Powell (MPP ’20) has accepted a position with Commission Shift as a policy manager. Powell started with the Hobby School as a Civic Houston Intern in 2006. She received a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in political science with the Honors College at the University of Houston in 2007. She is also a graduate of the Hobby School’s Certified Public Manger program. In 2022, Powell received the Hobby Leadership Award.

MPP alum moves up in legislative oversight department

Kudos to Matthew Moseley (MPP ’22) for accepting a new position as senior intergovernmental affairs specialist for Harris County. Moseley was the 2022 recipient of the Hobby School Garnet Coleman Award for Student Excellence and a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha Global Honor Society for public affairs and administration professionals. He has been with the county since 2020 after six years in private industry.

Certified Public Manager candidate advances to assistant city manager

Certified Public Manager Candidate, Jason Mangum, CPRE has been promoted to the position of assistant city manager with Missouri City. Prior to his promotion, he worked as the city’s Parks and Recreation Director. Jason has served as a parks and recreation leader throughout his 22-year career in Texas, Illinois, Michigan and Arizona.

According to Mangum, “The CPM program at the University of Houston addresses the unique challenges that public service managers face daily. The curriculum utilizes a mix of theory and practical application related to a variety of public sector topics. The networking with other like-minded public servants is an added benefit to participating in the program.”

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