Mount Holyoke students pose in front of the U.S. Capitol

Weissman Center for Leadership

Celebrating 20+ years of inspiring transformational leaders

We know that persistent problems demand breakthrough solutions — led by those with the courage to see past traditional borders and boundaries. At the Weissman Center for Leadership, we empower students, faculty and staff with the skills and supports to think openly, engage deeply and go forward boldly. From courses and workshops to internships and public events, we connect people to the resources and relationships they need to find their own path and make their mark on their communities and the world.

Core programs

Explore and expand your leadership capacities through internships, courses, mentoring, and networking opportunities that span our core programs.

Leadership and Public Service

Explore careers and opportunities in public service at the local, national and international levels to deepen your impact.

Speaking, Arguing, and Writing (SAW)

Sharpen your speaking and writing skills to craft persuasive communications that inspire people to action.

A group of students who worked at the Food Bank

Community Based Learning (CBL)

Collaborate with community organizations to address today’s most pressing social causes.

Campus Voices

The Weissman Center in action

Connected to the world through economics

Ashley Marte ’24

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Excelling at creating community

Gaby Alvarez ’24

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From Model UN to international peacebuilding

Lauren Brook ’24

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Signature events

Senior Symposium

Seniors share the projects, scholarly research, and intellectual passions that demonstrates depth of research and analysis during their senior year.

Claudia Rankine’s “Citizen: An American Lyric” received numerous awards when it was published in 2014.

Leading Women in the Arts

Public presentations by scholars, artists, writers, and practitioners that engage the academic work of the college with the public sphere.

The Weissman Center brings the world to Mount Holyoke College

The Weissman Center hosts renowned leaders on a variety of topics for invigorating and informed lectures, debate, and dialogue. Join us each semester for public talks and other events that invite us all to think independently and analytically about contemporary and historical issues that have public, national, and global implications. These events provide invaluable opportunities to be in direct and meaningful dialogue with pioneers in politics, business, academia, advocacy, sports, and the arts.

Upcoming events

The events in this list are either being hosted or co-sponsored by the Weissman Center for Leadership.

Happening at Mount Holyoke

The Weissman Center in the news

Hemphill to discuss “What It Takes To Heal”

Prentis Hemphill ’04 will be at Mount Holyoke College to discuss their book “What It Takes To Heal.” The book poses the question: ““What would it do to movements, to our society and culture, to have the principles of healing at the very center?”

A senior presents scientific slides during the 2024 Senior Symposium. Photo courtesy of Michael Quiet.

Where students are the experts

Senior Symposium is an annual event where soon-to-be graduates become the experts — sharing the research and intellectual passions that they have brought to course work that demonstrates depth of research and analysis.

Students enjoying dinner at the Leadership and Service Awards in 2024

Students honored at annual Leadership and Service Awards

Mount Holyoke College student and alum leaders gathered in Chapin Auditorium in celebration of the many contributions made to the community throughout the year.

More Weissman Center News

History of the Weissman Center

The Weissman Center for Leadership was established in 1999 to support students, faculty, and staff in the development of leadership skills inside and outside the classroom. Our work is guided by four over-arching themes:

Inspiration sparked by public events with renowned guest speakers
Capacity-building to develop skills and confidence through leadership courses, experiential learning, conferences, and trainings
Mentoring and networking on campus and across nonprofit, public service, and business realms to promote opportunities for professional success
Reflection and discovery, the foundation for perpetual leadership growth.

Harriet and Paul Weissman at the dedication of the Weissman Center — Harriet and Paul Weissman at the dedication

The Weissman Center was established in 1999 through a generous gift from Harriet Levine Weissman ’58 and her husband, Paul M. Weissman. The College’s Center for Leadership and Public Interest Advocacy merged at that time with the Speaking, Arguing, and Writing Program and became the Harriet L. and Paul M. Weissman Center for Leadership.