The Center for Leadership and Public Interest Advocacy is one of the new initiatives in the Plan for Mount Holyoke 2003, which was adopted by the College in the spring of 1997.  It emerges from Mount Holyoke historic commitment to educating its students for careers of distinguished professional accomplishment and public interest advocacy.

    The 21st century presents new challenges to our lives, as growing inequality, globalization, environmental deterioration, and rapid technological change call into question the ways we organize our lives and our societies. The Center will initiate and support educational activities that better prepare women to meet these challenges as they pursue successful and meaningful lives as professionals and as active citizens. We seek to enhance students' awareness of their goals and values, confidence in their abilities and aspirations, success in their future careers, and commitment to the public interest.

    The Center will provide planning, venues, and resources for activities in four major areas: (1) critical engagement of contemporary issues of public concern; (2) understanding issues of leadership; (3) community-based learning; and (4) enhancement of leadership and advocacy competencies across the curricular and co-curricular life of the College.

    The Center is designed to work closely with other programs at the College and with Mount Holyoke alumnae, making efficient use of existing resources and enhancing our traditional strengths.