Mission and Vision
CWPPP aims to promote diverse leadership to achieve more just, equitable, and responsive public and institutional policies and meaningful inclusion through its academic programs and training opportunities; applied research on electoral representation and intersectional public policy analysis, relating to the economic, health and social well-being of women and families; and public convenings that seek to empower and mobilize broad, diverse community participation.
In our work, we employ an anti-racist and intersectional approach taking into account persistent systemic inequities relating to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, socio-economic status, sexual preference, religion, and other identities.
The center serves as a resource for the community and beyond by providing:
GRADUATE EDUCATION and TRAINING: The Center hosts the Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy online or on-campus graduate certificate program. This award-winning, "first-in-the-nation" graduate program has served more than 1,200 alumni as a springboard to new and enhanced careers, advanced graduate study, and increasingly effective political activism. GLPP certificate students can apply for and continue into a Master of Public Affairs (MPA)-GLPP track program, and earn an MPA degree in only one additional year.
CWPPP's NEW Leadership-MA Summer Institute provides political leadership training to women and non-binary college students and recent high school and college graduates who study or reside in Massachusetts. The 3-4 day program is hybrid to facilitate broad participation.
The CWPPP Distinguished Public Service Fellows program builds a bridge that enables seasoned, prominent policy leaders from the government, non-profit, or private sectors to document and transfer their knowledge and experience to emerging leaders.
RESEARCH and PUBLICATIONS: Our research is designed to make a difference in the lives of women and their communities while also drawing the attention of policymakers to issues which directly affect women's lives. We also produce policy briefs for policymakers on a wide range of subjects.
EVENTS: The Center conducts a range of public service programs open to both the university community and the general public. Panel discussions, films, conferences, and other convenings promote the empowerment of diverse political leadership and explore solutions to critical social and policy issues, particularly those affecting people of color. Find out more.
Connection and Collaboration
Our educational activities, events, and research projects are typically conducted in collaboration with many types of organizations. We are available to provide program evaluations, commissioned research studies, policy briefs, and fact sheets. Read about our areas of expertise and services.