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
European Group in Public Administration (EGPA) Conference in Rome, Italy August 27, 2026
Texas State University Professor Dr. Howard Balanff, ASPA Executive Director Bill Shields, along with Professors Aziza Zemrani & Mohamed Makkaoui and ASPA Staff Member Caitlyn Shrewsbury have authored a paper entitled “A Review of the First Steps Taken to Build and Maintain an International Certified Public Manager Program in Morocco”. The paper will be delivered at the European Group in Public Administration (EGPA) Conference in Rome, Italy on August 27, 2026.
Click here to open a link to the paper that will be delivered at the EGPA Conference in Rome, Italy.
“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”
2026 Public Service Awards Luncheon
Texas State University’s William P. Hobby Center for Public Service & the CENTEX ASPA of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) conducted a Public Service Awards Luncheon at Palmers Restaurant on Saturday July 18, 2026.
Click here for additional information about the luncheon and pictures of the event.
Texas CPM Program Graduates 120 at the Texas State Capitol on June 8, 2026
The Texas Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program held its graduation ceremony on Monday, June 8, 2026, in the Capitol Auditorium at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas. A reception for graduates and their guests followed in the Legislative Conference Room of the Capitol Extension.
The Texas CPM Program is a consortium of Texas Universities and other governmental organizations that operate under the umbrella of Texas State University’s William P. Hobby Center for Public Service.
Click here for an article with pictures of the Graduation.
Texas State University’s Political Science Department Conducts its Annual Scholarships & Awards Reception
On Thursday April 23, 2026, Texas State University’s Political Science Department conducted an Awards Reception/Dinner at the Texas State University LBJ Student Center to honor undergraduate & graduate students that received scholarships and awards both within and outside the university.
Click here for an Article and Pictures from the Awards Reception
ASPA’s Section on Public Management Practice Conducts an In-Person Symposium at the ASPA National Conference on Sunday March 22, 2026
On Sunday March 22, 2026, ASPA’s Section for Public Management Practice (SPMP) in cooperation sponsored a Symposium entitled, Meeting the Professional Development and Educational Challenges of the next Decade” at the ASPA National Conference in Hollywood, California.
Click here for an Article and Pictures from the Symposium
Click here for a Program with the Speakers and Topics of the Symposium
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”