The Hobby School of Public Affairs Leadership Award will be granted to one former Hobby School intern and to one graduate of the Hobby School’s Certified Public Manager program each year. The recipients are determined by a committee of Hobby School representatives and advisory board members.  

The Hobby School of Public Affairs Leadership Award honors Hobby Fellows-Austin, Leland Fellows-Washington, Harris Fellows and Civic Houston Intern Alumni who:

• Are distinguished in their profession and poised to accomplish more
• Mentor others to help advance future leaders
• Serve as a model of excellence in civic engagement
• Committed to bettering the lives of others through public service

The Hobby School of Public Affairs Leadership Award honors its Certified Public Manager Program Alumni who:  

• Are distinguished in their profession and poised to accomplish more
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills within their organization
• Exemplify the Certified Public Manager Program’s professional standards including the use of best practices and management ethics
• Committed to bettering the lives of others through public service

Application Details

Applications for 2025 are now closed.

2025 Leadership Award Recipients  Pamela Langford and Cassidy Lee Pamela Langford, CPM, is the assistant city manager of operations and director of development services for the City of Port Arthur. She is recognized for her ethical and innovative leadership, prioritizing safety and continued growth. Pamela completed the Certified Public Manager Program in 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Lamar University and a Master of Public Administration from Sam Houston State University. Cassidy Lee is a former Civic Houston Intern and inaugural Harris Fellow honored for her commitment to civic engagement and investment in the next generation of public service leaders. Cassidy serves as a senior policy analyst on the Justice Innovation Team at the Harris County Office of Administration. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Houston and a Master of Global Policy Studies from the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs.