The William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University
Training public and nonprofit managers in the ethical values and technical competencies associated with outstanding public service.
Bill Hobby and the Hobby’s family brought tremendous progress to Texas in numerous areas-public education, mental health, water conservation, fiscal management, indigent health care, corrections, and public assistance programs, to name a few.
But none of his many achievements is more important than his determination that Texas must sustain its commitment to excellence in higher education, and his support for the resources that make that possible.
In July 1996, Texas State University established the Public Service Academy to deliver the CPM Program in Texas. In 1998 the name of the Texas State University Public Service Academy was changed to the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service after former Texas Lt. Governor William P. Hobby made a $1 million donation to Texas State University to help fund the Texas CPM Program. Governor Hobby’s gift also provided funds to support the William P. Hobby Professorship, held by Dr. Howard Balanoff, and public service activities such as the annual William P. Hobby Distinguished Lecture, Hobby Scholarships/Fellowships and Student Teaching/Research Assistantships.
What's New
Save the date of Thursday October 29, 2026, (4:30 pm – 5:30 pm) in Trauth Huffman Hall (room 308) for an in-person book talk by Dr. Ricardo Sanchez Mendez
The book title is: “EL SERVICIO EXTERIOR MEXICANO EN EL SIGLO XXI” (THE MEXICAN FOREIGN SERVICE IN THE 21ST CENTURY)
The Center for International Studies, the Political Science Department and Texas State University’s William P. Hobby Center for Public Service and the CENTEX Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) are announcing an In-Person Book Talk by Dr. Ricardo Sanchez Mendez which is scheduled for Thursday October 29th, 2026. (4:30 pm – 5:30 pm) in Trauth Huffman Hall (Room THH 308) on the Texas State University Campus in San Marcos, Texas.
Click here for more information about Ricardo Sanchez, Mendez, his book talk, a description of his new book and to register to receive a Zoom invitation if you wish to view the book talk via Zoom.
CenTex ASPA and Texas State University’s William P. Hobby Center for Public Service Announces an In-Person Symposium Scheduled for Friday October 23, 2026. (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) on the Texas State University Campus in Round Rock, Texas
Save the date of Friday October 23, 2026. Texas State University’s William P. Hobby Center for Public Service will sponsor a free in-person Symposium that will be live-streamed and recorded. The Symposium title is: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND PUBLIC POLICY
Click here for more information and a detailed schedule of the Symposium Program.
Click here to register for the Symposium. (please register by 10/08/2026)
European Group in Public Administration (EGPA) Conference in Rome, Italy August 27, 2026
Texas State University Professor Dr. Howard Balanff and Dr. Aziza Zemrani presented a paper entitled “A Review of the First Steps Taken to Build and Maintain an International Certified Public Manager Program in Morocco”. The authors of the paper were Professors Aziza Zemrani, Mohamed Makkaoui, ASPA Executive Director Bill Shields & ASPA Staff Member Caitlyn Shrewsbury.
The paper was presented at the European Group in Public Administration (EGPA) Conference in Rome, Italy on August 26, 2026.
Click here to open a link to the paper that was delivered at the EGPA Conference in Rome, Italy.
Click here to open a link to pictures from the presentation of the CPM Paper at the EGPA Conference.
“The 10 Traits of Good Government Award” NAPA Podcast
Alan Bojorquez, President & CEO of the Bojorquez Law Firm & Dr. Howard Balanoff, were invited by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) to do a national podcast on “The 10 Traits of Good Government Award”.
Click on the link below to open the YouTube Channel that broadcasted the NAPA podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k84PG7B2ltI&t=120s
Click here to open a link to “The 10 Traits of Good Government Award”
New Biography of Former Texas Lt. Governor, William P. Hobby Now Available
The University of Texas Press has just announced that the book, Bill Hobby: A Life in Journalism and Public Service by Don Carleton and Erin L. Purdy is now available to the public. The book is being distributed for the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.
For additional information go to https://utpress.utexas.edu/9781953480125/bill-hobby/
“Over his years as Lieutenant Governor, Hobby gained a reputation as an astute fiscal manager and parliamentary leader in the Texas Senate”