In the news
March 23-29, 2026
Dean DeFrancesco Soto named National Public Service Champion
By Angelita Faller
Dr. Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, Dean of the Clinton School of Public Service, has been selected as one of America’s 250 Public Service Champions.
The honor, awarded by Local Gov 250 in partnership with the National Academy of Public Administration, recognizes 250 public servants nationwide who have had an exceptional impact on their communities as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. Dean DeFrancesco Soto is the only Arkansan named on the list.
“I am deeply honored to be included alongside such a remarkable group of public service leaders from across the country,” Dean DeFrancesco Soto said. “At the Clinton School, we believe that public service is the heartbeat of a strong democracy. This recognition shows the power of applied research in action and strong community engagement, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue cultivating the next generation of leaders who will carry this mission into America’s next 250 years.”
Local Gov 250 is a national initiative led by local governments and associations to elevate the role of government and celebrate the public servants who shape American democracy from the ground up. Winners were selected based on their outstanding records of service, innovation, and leadership.
“There are many leaders working in government across the country who are deserving of recognition, and this year marks an especially important time for our country to honor them,” said James-Christian Blockwood, President and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration. “These 250 Champions are truly special and make a difference in our everyday lives. We look forward to celebrating all of them, and hope this inspires future public servants and the American people.”
The Local Gov 250 Coalition and the National Academy of Public Administration reviewed hundreds of submissions from all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C. and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This honor highlights government workers across the country, from mayor’s offices to public works departments, parks and recreation, public health, libraries, and more.
As a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, Dean DeFrancesco Soto has spent more than two decades bridging the gap between academic research and practitioner realities. Her work focuses on civic engagement, women’s leadership, and political psychology, with an emphasis on making rigorous research applicable to real-world policy.
Since arriving at the Clinton School four years ago, Dean DeFrancesco Soto has immersed herself in the state’s public service landscape. She recently gave the keynote address to nearly 100 emerging AmeriCorps leaders at the American Connections Corps (ACC) Winter Institute in Little Rock. Additionally, she was named one of the Top 100 Women of Impact in Arkansas 2023 by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and remains active in national service organizations, including the Volcker Alliance and KFF.
Dean DeFrancesco Soto and the 250 Champions will be honored at an event preceding the ICMA National Conference in Philadelphia May 12.
