The Clinton School of Public Service will host a public program exploring the life and leadership of the school’s Founding Dean, Sen. David Pryor.
The event, “Arkansas Comes First: The Pryor Center,” will take place on Monday, April 20, from noon to 1 p.m. in Sturgis Hall. The program features a conversation between Dean Victoria DeFrancesco Soto and Dr. John C. Davis, Executive Director of the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History at the University of Arkansas and a Visiting Fellow at the Clinton School.
The discussion, held in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, will explore Sen. Pryor’s journey in public service – from his early days as a student leader in Camden to his role as the Founding Dean of the nation’s first Master of Public Service degree. A primary focus will be the mission of the Pryor Center, which was founded in 1999 to document and preserve the cultural heritage of Arkansans through extensive audio and video resources.
“Sen. David Pryor’s dedication to Arkansas and his vision for public service education remain at the heart of our mission,” said Dean Victoria DeFrancesco Soto. “We are honored to welcome Dr. Davis to discuss Sen. Pryor, the vital work of the Pryor Center, and how the preservation of our state’s history informs the leaders of tomorrow. This conversation is a meaningful way to recognize the Senator’s lasting impact on our school and the state of Arkansas.”
Davis brings a wealth of experience in Arkansas state politics and academic leadership to the program. In addition to his role at the Pryor Center, he is a Teaching Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Arkansas. He is also the author of “From Blue to Red: The Rise of the GOP in Arkansas” (2024) and co-author of the 12th edition of “Government in Arkansas.”
Before his current tenure in Fayetteville, Davis served as an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he also managed governmental relations as a liaison to the Arkansas General Assembly and the governor’s office. He previously served a five-year appointment to the Arkansas Rural Development Commission and was named to the Arkansas Business “40 Under 40” Class of 2025.
An eighth-generation Arkansan, Davis holds a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Authentic Leadership program.
The program is free and open to the public. For more information and to register, please visit the event webpage.