91ÊÓƵ

Program Director, Communications and Marketing

Diana Benitez oversees the Hobby School’s visual and digital presence by managing the website, designing multimedia graphics, producing marketing materials and creating email communications to promote its interdisciplinary teaching, training, research and public service opportunities. Diana began her career at the then Hobby Center for Public Policy in 2013, performing various duties throughout her over 10-year tenure, including previously managing the Certified Public Manager program. She is a 91ÊÓƵ Bauer College of Business alumna and a 2023 graduate of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Leaders Institute, a leadership development program for area young professionals. When she’s not working, Diana enjoys traveling with friends, lending a hand at her family’s local resale shop and spending time with her dogs. 

Director, College Business Operations

April Blount is the director of college business operations at the Hobby School, where she oversees financial operations, human resources and supports strategic planning and administrative processes. A native Houstonian, April brings over 24 years of higher education experience and a strong commitment to operational excellence. She joined the Hobby School in 2023 from the 91ÊÓƵ’s Cullen College of Engineering, where she assisted with managing business operations for the college and previously oversaw financial operations for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. April holds both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA with a concentration in leadership from the 91ÊÓƵ–Downtown. She is a member of the National Council of University Research Administrators and actively participates in professional development through the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers. Outside of work, April enjoys spending time with her family and staying connected to the Houston community. 

Research Associate Professor, Hobby School of Public Affairs
Associate Director, Center for Public Policy

Gail Buttorff is a research associate professor and the associate director of the Center for Public Policy. Her research interests focus on elections and gender and public policy in the Middle East and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, quantitative and survey methodologies.

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Executive Director, Communications 

Victoria Cordova is the executive director of communications at the Hobby School, leading a team of marketing professionals and overseeing the promotion of the school's interdisciplinary curriculum, research and public service initiatives. The communications team engages with stakeholders to showcase the Hobby School's mission across platforms and works on special projects, such as a podcast series on relevant policy issues, called Hobby Talks. A native Houstonian, she started her career at Houston City Hall and has experience in local government and higher education. She received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in political science from Sam Houston State University. Victoria is a member of the Houston Public Media Foundation Board and the Harris County LGBTQIA+ Commission and a Leadership Houston alumna. In her free time, Victoria frequents restaurants and movie theaters with her spouse and enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew.  

Senior Executive Director and Professor of Practice, Hobby School of Public Affairs 

Renée Cross is the senior executive director and a researcher at the Hobby School, where she serves as a principal investigator in survey research on local and state politics and policy, while overseeing government internship programs, civic engagement projects, communications and external relations. Her academic interests include Houston and Texas government, politics, history, civic engagement and voting. She has taught courses including Texas Politics, Urban Politics, and American Democracy and Participation at the 91ÊÓƵ and the 91ÊÓƵ-Downtown. Renée routinely provides political analyses and commentary for media, such as The New York Times, Bloomberg, Texas Tribune, Texas Monthly, Texas Standard, the Houston Chronicle and Houston Public Media. She has also served on numerous local advisory boards and committees, as well as for the U.S. Presidential Personnel Office. A native of Houston’s East End, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Psychology at the University of Houston and a master’s degree in political science from the University of St. Thomas. Renée and her husband Stan share their historic Woodland Heights bungalow and a cabin in La Grange with their rescue dogs and cats.  

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Program Manager, Centers and Business Operations 

Emily Cruz is the program manager supporting the Hobby School's Center for Public Policy, the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership and business operations. Before joining the Hobby School in 2025, she served as an outreach coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Houston, where she managed volunteer engagement efforts, event logistics and program evaluation, including the League's Rising Star Program. Emily earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from the University of Houston, with minors in quantitative social science and public leadership. As a student, Emily combined the hands-on experience from her Civic Houston Internship Program assignments with Teach for America and the League of Women Voters of Houston, along with the leadership skills and national network she gained from the Next Generation Leadership Academy, to grow her passion for public service and civic engagement.  

Program Manager

Lila Hiett is the program manager for the Office of Student Services, where she supports day-to-day operations, student programs, training and outreach initiatives. Lila began her public service journey through the Civic Houston Internship Program. She later worked on an electoral campaign while earning a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in law, values and policy. She also served as a legislative intern with Harris County Intergovernmental and Global Affairs.

While earning her Master of Public Administration degree, Lila collaborated with a local public utility board on planning and implementation strategies and supported Hobby School faculty in the classroom as a research and teaching assistant. A Houston-area native, Lila is passionate about civic engagement, a commitment strengthened through her past internships and involvement in nonpartisan student organizations, including Texas Rising and MOVE Texas. Outside of work, she enjoys archery, reading, cheering on Houston sports teams and spending time with friends.

Associate Director of Development

Joy Hughes is the associate director of development for the Hobby School, where she works closely with alumni, donors and community leaders to cultivate meaningful philanthropic partnerships that expand opportunities for students and advance the school’s impact in public policy and civic leadership. Hughes has more than eight years of fundraising experience across higher education, healthcare philanthropy and Division I athletics. Before joining the 91ÊÓƵ, she served as director of development for Intercollegiate Athletics at Texas Southern University and held advancement roles at Texas Children’s Hospital and the University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds an MBA in Ethical Leadership from Schreiner University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and an Associate of Science in Political Science from Pearl River Community College. Hughes received the Captain Calm in the Storm Award at Texas Southern University for leadership in high-pressure situations and the Rising Star Award from UTSA Development and Alumni Relations for innovation and early career impact. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, attending sporting events and engaging with her community. 

Program Director, Next Generation Leadership Academy and Certified Public Manager Program 

Emily Janowski directs the Next Generation Leadership Academy at the 91ÊÓƵ, a national initiative in partnership with The Volcker Alliance and 25 universities preparing undergraduates for careers in public service. She also co-directs the Certified Public Manager program, a nationally accredited certification program for public sector professionals. In her role, Emily provides students with mentorship and opportunities that educate them on policy issues and empower them to lead in their communities, including site visits, tours, strategic planning sessions and student summits. She holds an MBA with a concentration in organizational development from the University of Texas at Tyler and a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. Outside of work, Emily is an artist and avid traveler. She shares her adventures with her husband, William Janowski, a Master of Public Policy alumnus and former Hobby School intern, and their two dachshunds. 

Postdoctoral Fellow

Soran Mohtadi is a postdoctoral fellow at the Hobby School, where he supports research for the Center for Public Policy. His work focuses on applied microeconomics, particularly the intersection of energy and economic development and the political economy of the global energy transition. He has contributed to reports in the SPACE City Panel series. 
Mohtadi previously served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and as a visiting research scholar and lecturer at Washington State University’s School of Economic Sciences. He holds a doctorate in applied economics from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. 

Program Director, Internship Programs  
Lecturer in Public Policy

Jessica Ruland O'Connor directs the undergraduate internship programs in Houston, Austin and Washington, D.C. at the Hobby School of Public Affairs, mentoring students through their first steps into public service. She also leads civic engagement initiatives and student-centered special projects designed to expand access to experiential learning and strengthen democratic participation. In 2025, Jessica received national recognition for the Hobby School’s nonpartisan voter engagement efforts through the Students Learn Students Vote Ask Every Student grant, which aims to increase college student participation in the democratic process. That same year, she was named a Rising Star by the League of Women Voters of Houston for her leadership in advancing civic learning. A two-time 91ÊÓƵ alumna, Jessica earned a Master of Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree in political science. Her public service journey began as a Civic Houston Intern and as a Leland Fellow on Capitol Hill, transformative experiences that inform her work with students today. Before joining the Hobby School, Jessica worked on the public policy team at the Greater Houston Partnership, coordinating policy committees and supporting initiatives on issues critical to Houston’s economic growth and quality of life. Jessica and her husband, Loren, share their home with their dogs, Sunny, Sammy, and Delilah, their bird, Baylee, and an open door for foster pups. 

Program Director, Academic Affairs 

Maggie Padilla is the program director of academic affairs at the Hobby School of Public Affairs, overseeing student recruitment, advising and the promotion of graduate and undergraduate programs. With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, she brings extensive expertise in research, admissions, student success, program management and leadership development. Her career at the 91ÊÓƵ began at the then Hobby Center for Public Policy, where she supported executive operations and helped launch the Master of Public Policy program. She later served as director of executive programs and as an adjunct instructor at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, marking 10 years of dedicated service to the 91ÊÓƵ. Maggie earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in economics and international business, graduating cum laude from Sam Houston State University, and her Master of Public Service and Administration with a concentration in public management from Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service. Outside of work, Maggie and her husband, Roman, enjoy spending time with their two children and their rescue dog. 

Distinguished Professor, Hobby School of Public Affairs
Director, Center for Public Policy

Pablo M. Pinto is a distinguished professor at the Hobby School of Public Affairs, where he also serves as the director of the Center for Public Policy. He is an affiliated faculty member in the UH Department of Political Science and a UH Energy Fellow. 

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Department Business Administrator 

Dumonique Rayson is a department business administrator at the Hobby School, where she streamlines operations and supports a wide range of business functions. She manages department finances, oversees budget planning and execution, provides grant and contract administrative support and ensures compliance and coordination for sponsored programs. Additionally, she facilitates hiring, onboarding and personnel management. She has over a decade of experience in human resources, payroll, finance, mental health outreach and administration. Dumonique joined the Hobby School in 2024 from the 91ÊÓƵ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She received a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from 91ÊÓƵ System institutions. She’s a Dallas native and proud Cowboys fan who knows that 'America’s Team' isn’t just a nickname, it’s a lifestyle. Dumonique enjoys Houston's culinary scene, collecting sneakers and photography. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her American Pit Bull Terrier, Pherious. 

Executive Administrative Assistant, Dean’s Office 

Elizabeth Salinas is the executive administrative assistant to the dean of the Hobby School. She manages the schedule of Hobby School Dean Jim Granato, oversees office operations, serves as the building coordinator and acts as the liaison to the school's advisory board. Elizabeth joined the 91ÊÓƵ from the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, bringing experience in nonprofit and government administration from roles with The American Cancer Society, The Salvation Army and Children's Museum Houston. The University of Texas at Austin graduate is also trained in the culinary arts with a focus on French cuisine. Outside of work, Elizabeth and her husband, Tony, enjoy beach days, Star Wars fandom and oddities and curiosities with their two teenage children.

Research Associate, Center for Public Policy  

Savannah L. Sipole is a research associate at the Hobby School, where she supports evidence-based research and programming for the Center for Public Policy through data collection, statistical analysis and report writing and editing. She also assists faculty members and researchers across the school with the Institutional Review Board approval process and identifying grant opportunities. Her academic interests include collaborative projects examining legislative behavior, public opinion and policy preferences in Texas. A two-time Coog, she earned graduate and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Houston and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science from Sam Houston State University. She and her partner, Ryan, enjoy traveling, fishing, spending time with their dog and being with family.  

Department Business Administrator  

Cherish Wallace serves as the department business administrator at the Hobby School. She brings more than 13 years of administrative experience from the 91ÊÓƵ's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, where she developed extensive expertise in financial management, human resources and sponsored research operations. In her current role, she manages departmental finances, oversees budget planning and execution, facilitates hiring, onboarding and personnel management, provides grant and contract administrative support and ensures compliance with university requirements. She also coordinates procurement and payroll processes, assists with policy implementation and serves as a key liaison between faculty, staff and university administrative offices. A longtime Houston resident, Cherish enjoys exploring new local restaurants and attending community events, but her favorite way to spend her free time is with her two sons and extended family. Her oldest son, Andrew, is a graduate of the Master of Public Policy program. 

Manager, Information Services

Isaiah Warner is the manager of information services for the Hobby School. A Houston-area native, Isaiah began his career at the Hobby School in 2012 as a program manager, previously leading the school’s internship programs for undergraduates, including the Civic Houston Internship Program, Harris Fellows, Hobby Fellows-Austin and Leland Fellows-Washington. Isaiah acts as the school's information security officer and technical manager, overseeing the school’s computer and information systems, as well as its IT infrastructure. He develops IT strategies and efficiencies, as well as ensures data protection in coordination with the 91ÊÓƵ IT department. He holds a graduate degree in history from the 91ÊÓƵ–Clear Lake and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the 91ÊÓƵ. Outside of work, Isaiah follows professional sporting events and personalities. 

Director, Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership, Hobby School of Public Affairs
Lecturer, Hobby School of Public Affairs

Brandon M. Williams is an instructional assistant professor and the director of the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership at the Hobby School. Williams’s research bridges philosophical theory and applied ethics with a particular focus on how abstract moral and epistemological concepts intersect with real-world issues.

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Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Hobby School of Public Affairs Professor, Hobby School of Public Affairs

Alan Witt is a professor and the associate dean for undergraduate studies at the Hobby School. He is also a professor in the Department of Psychology at the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and in the Department of Management at the C.T. Bauer College of Business. Witt's research focuses on strategy-cultural alignment and how leaders can shape the work culture so that employee values, priorities and behavioral norms enable successful implementation of the organization’s strategy. In 2020, Alan was among the 132 UH faculty listed as the most cited scholars in the world. 

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Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Hobby School of Public Affairs Professor, Hobby School of Public Affairs

Sunny Wong is a professor and the associate dean for graduate studies at the Hobby School. Wong’s teaching and research interests include monetary policy, learning dynamics, business-cycle theory, foreign direct investment and the empirical implications of theoretical models (EITM). Wong co-authored "The Role of Policymakers in Business Cycle Fluctuations" and "The Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models in Political Science."

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Communications Director

°ä±ð±ô±ð²õ³Ù±ð Z²¹³¾´Ç°ù²¹â€¯is the lead storyteller and manages communications across various platforms at the Hobby School, elevating the school’s visibility through dynamic content and promoting student achievements, research initiatives and special events. Her professional background spans media relations, marketing and communications in both the higher education and nonprofit sectors, including roles with the 91ÊÓƵ-Downtown Office of the President and the United Way of Greater Houston. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Celeste is also an alumna of the Certified Public Manager program and an active member of PRSA Houston, where she stays connected to the broader communications community. In her off-time, Celeste and her husband, Jaime, can be found traveling, at an Astros game or enjoying Houston’s live music venues.