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.

The Center's 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; and Reflection and Discovery, the foundation for perpetual leadership growth.