Bringing the power of the liberal arts to global challenges
Since 2010, the Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs has prepared Wellesley students to solve the world’s most pressing problems. Established to honor the legacy of Madeleine Korbel Albright ’59, the first female U.S. Secretary of State, the Institute bridges the gap between academic study and real-world leadership. We foster multidisciplinary engagement with global affairs through internships, public lectures, and innovative academic programming.
The Albright Institute Fellowship, our flagship program, brings together 40 juniors and seniors each year for an immersive Wintersession experience in global affairs, followed by a funded, globally-focused internship. Guided by Secretary Albright’s collaborative leadership style and unwavering dedication to public service, the Albright Fellowship prepares students to navigate an increasingly complex world with empathy, intellectual rigor, and purpose.
Events
The Albright Institute is a forum for dialogue and global conversations. We host leaders, practitioners, and scholars for public events, including the annual Kenner Lecture.
By anchoring each year in a specific theme, such as 2025-26’s Leadership in a Fragmented World, the Institute ensures the programs, convenings, and dialogues it supports respond in real time to the most pressing global forces shaping our world today.
Recent events
The theme for the Institute’s 2025-26 programming is Leadership in a Fragmented World. The theme invites the Albright community to think across disciplines, navigate differences with respect, and collaborate in exploring how leadership rooted in empathy, evidence, and action can emerge in a world increasingly defined by fragmentation.
Highlights
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Diplomacy in Action: A Conversation with Ambassador Michele Sison ’81
A dialogue between Ambassador Michele Sison ’81 and Stacie Goddard, the Betty Freyhof Johnson ’44 Professor of Political Science and Associate Provost, exploring the evolving landscape of international relations and Wellesley’s role in preparing leaders for an increasingly interconnected and contested global landscape.
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The Soft Power of Mothers in Peacebuilding
A dynamic conversation between world-renowned Nigerian human rights attorney Hauwa Ibrahim and Prof. Chipo Dendere, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley, exploring how the soft power and leadership of mothers can serve as a vital force for global peace.
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Tribute to Madeleine Albright: A History of MKAI
To honor our 15th anniversary, we go back to the beginning. Wini Freund ’59, lifelong friend of Secretary Albright, Founding Faculty Director Joseph Joyce, and Provost Andrew Shennan, share stories of the inception, history, and enduring legacy of the Albright Institute.
Keep in touch
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The Albright Institute Newsletter
Albright Institute
106 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02481