Spring 2025 Civic Leadership Boot Camp

Friday, March 28, 1-6 p.m. 
Bates Law Building | Room 109

The Hobby School is hosting a spring Civic Leadership Boot Camp at the University of Houston for the campus and surrounding community on Friday, March 28, from 1-6 p.m., in Room 109 at Bates Law Building. The half-day workshop is designed to help strengthen individual civic leadership across roles and issues. Participants can engage in interactive workshops, breakout sessions and activities to elevate professionalism and build confidence and skills among engaged participants.

The sessions focus on various aspects of civic leadership, including: 

• Civic leadership in action

• Professional communication strategies 

• Networking and professional presence  

• Ethical leadership and decision-making  

What to Expect: 

The boot camp features speakers and panelists with expertise and leadership experience across sectors. The group exercises will prompt thought-provoking discussions and challenge comfort zones to strengthen civic leadership and equip participants with new skills and additional tools and strategies. 

Alexander Obregon, vice president of Comcast Texas, is the keynote speaker. Obregon has deep Hobby School ties. He started his public service journey as a Civic Houston Intern and now serves on the school's advisory board. The two-time UH Coog was the former Houston deputy city controller and now oversees Comcast's regional financial and business management functions. He will speak on leadership in action.  

Arquella Hargove,chief culture officer at Alchemy Consulting Group, a business consulting company, will lead the interactive workshops and breakout sessions. Hargrove has more than 20 years of human resource and business consulting experience and co-directs the Certified Public Manager program hosted by the Hobby School.

The afternoon will close with a panel discussion on bridging leadership and professionalism, followed by a power-networking hour with refreshments. The Hobby School's Jessica Ruland O'Connor is the boot camp organizer. She directs the school's undergraduate internships in Houston, Austin and Washington, D.C., leads civic engagement projects and builds relationships with alumni and community partners.

Boot camp attendance is free, but registration is required, and spacing is limited. If you have any questions, contact Hobby School's Jessica Ruland O'Connor at jlruland@central.uh.edu.