Clinton School of Public Service Dean Victoria DeFrancesco Soto and alumna Julie Gehrki (’08) have been named to the prestigious Arkansas 250 list for 2025. The annual publication from Arkansas Business recognizes the 250 most influential people who shape how Arkansans live, learn, and do business.
This marks the third consecutive year that Dean DeFrancesco Soto has been included in Arkansas 250, cementing her status as a leading voice in education and policy across the state. Dean DeFrancesco Soto, who was appointed in 2022, is the first Latina dean at a presidential institution. Her academic expertise spans civic engagement, political psychology, and the applicability of rigorous research to on-the-ground policy realities.
“I am profoundly grateful for this honor, but it’s truly a reflection of the commitment and impact of our entire Clinton School community,” DeFrancesco Soto said. “Our mission is to educate and inspire public service leaders who drive real-world change. This recognition underscores the essential role the Clinton School plays in equipping leaders for Arkansas and beyond.”
In the Arkansas 250 profile, DeFrancesco Soto identified her next major goal as drafting a charter for the Clinton School to anchor its public service mission in the coming decades. She currently serves on the boards of Forward Arkansas and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Joining DeFrancesco Soto on the list is alumna Julie Gehrki, who serves as president of the Walmart Foundation and senior vice president of philanthropy at Walmart, where she leads walmart.org. Having worked at Walmart for more than 15 years, she is responsible for shaping philanthropic strategies that drive lasting impact, demonstrating the profound influence and leadership our graduates have in major global organizations.
The Clinton School is the first in the nation to offer a Master of Public Service degree, offered both online and in a classroom setting, continuing to train the next generation of influential leaders like DeFrancesco Soto and Gehrki.