Nearly two hundred and fifty years ago, on Thursday, July 4, 1776, the colonial rebels to the British empire committed their lives and liberty to the ideals of a democratic republic and launched the creation of the United States of America through the Declaration of Independence. Today, the National Academy of Public Administration's over 1,000 Fellows proudly carry forward that sacred legacy. Through a bold, year-long "Celebrating the American Public Servant," culminating in a powerful National Awards Gala, we honor the torchbearers of our democracy.
Celebrating the American Public Servant is not just a recognition campaign. It is a bold invitation to reimagine the role of Public Service in American life and to build momentum for a stronger, more connected, and more trusted Government.
Celebrating the American Public Servant will serve as a unifying brand for the Academy’s curated signature initiatives, aligning them under a shared goal of honoring and humanizing Public Service. These ongoing programs will be infused with new messaging, storytelling, and public-facing engagement, including:
An ongoing video and storytelling campaign featuring real Public Servants reflecting on why they chose service. This campaign will expand to include new voices, feature...
A national civic dialogue series exploring trust in Government, Public Service leadership, and the future of public administration. Celebrating the American Public Servant will bring...
Co-sponsored by the Academy, this prestigious honor recognizes exemplary Public Servants. In 2026, awardees will be featured as Celebrating the American Public Servant honorees and...
Recognizing lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to public administration. The 2026 award cycle will be part of Celebrating the American Public Servant narrative, connecting past...
In honor of the America 250 celebration, Local Gov 250 and the National Academy of Public Administration are excited to announce a call for submissions to recognize and celebrate the exceptional individuals, from all levels of government, who make a significant impact in their work in cities, counties, regional councils, states, and the Federal Government. We invite you to submit proposals for people currently working (or recently retired) in government who exemplify “democracy at the doorstep” through dedication, innovation, and the highest sense of public service. Your submissions will help us shine the spotlight on the unsung heroes who are making positive changes across America.
Requirements
This forward-looking effort will explore how the field of public administration must evolve to meet the complex challenges of the next 250 years. The Academy will bring together leading voices in governance, public administration, and foresight. Through keynotes, scenario-building, and collaborative design sessions, participants will begin co-creating a shared vision for the future of Public Service grounded in the nation’s founding principles of good Government.
Join us at the 2025 National Conference to kick off the conversation.
This work will culminate in a convening in September 2026, where participants will finalize and launch a comprehensive roadmap for the field’s continued relevance, adaptability, and impact.
This culminating celebration will serve as the ceremonial centerpiece of Celebrating the American Public Servant partnership and a national stage to honor the people who make our Government work through their exemplary Public Service. The Celebrating the American Public Servant 250 Gala & National Awards Celebration will take place in Washington, DC, in June 2026, during the peak of America’s Semi-quincentennial commemorations. Attendees will include leaders from all levels of Government, emerging Public Servants, and civic partners who share a commitment to strengthening democracy through service.