Launched in April 2024, the Hillary Rodham Clinton Center for Citizenship, Leadership, and Democracy is a catalyst for lasting change—bringing the Wellesley community together with scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to advance democracy and prepare the next generation of civic leaders and change-making citizens. Through its three foundational components—the Clinton Fellows sophomore experience, the Faculty Research Initiative, and an annual global convening—the center provides a forum for students, faculty, and staff to engage with each other and with civic innovators to explore the challenges democracy faces and to forge solutions.
The Clinton Fellows sophomore experience
The Clinton Fellows sophomore experience kicks off with the Civic Action Lab in August prior to the start of the fall semester. Students then progress through the Paula Phillips Bernstein ’58 Civic Innovator and Scholar Series, which consists of three additional labs in the fall, winter, and spring. The program culminates in the Clinton Summit toward the end of the academic year.
Faculty Research Initiative
In conjunction with an annual theme, the Faculty Research Initiative will amplify the expertise of Wellesley faculty from across the College’s departments. By bringing together scholars who work on interconnected issues, the initiative will foster cross-disciplinary scholarship and curricular innovation in support of a robust democracy.
Annual global convening
The Clinton Summit is an annual global convening that explores—and proposes solutions for—the most critical issues of the day. Each spring, the center will gather the Wellesley community, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers for a daylong event focusing on an urgent global or national challenge. Learn more about the inaugural summit, “Renewing Democracy: Women Leading the Way” or watch the recording.
“A civic life is never being satisfied with what you see around you and knowing that you have something to contribute to changing that.”
Support
Make a gift or reach out to Marisa Jaffe ’95, associate vice president for development.
Get involved
Connect with center leadership:
- Patricia Berman, Charpie ’78 Faculty Co-Director
- Tracy Gleason, Charpie ’78 Faculty Co-Director
- Heidi Johnson, program director
Contact
Questions? Suggestions? Email the HRC Center.