The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center fosters globally minded leaders of integrity in the spirit of Maureen and Mike Mansfield. We partner with students, educators, community members and institutions around the world in order to promote dialogue and a global exchange of perspectives, ideas, and solutions.

Fostering Student Success

Becoming a globally-minded leader for tomorrow requires students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, and commitment to responsible citizenship.

Mansfield Center academic programs at UM explore public diplomacy, the art of leadership, and the role of ethics in public policy through classes, the East Asian Studies program, study abroad, teaching assistantships, and a variety of student leadership programs. Our high school programs engage students throughout Montana in innovation, rigorous academic studies, and international travel.

International Opportunities

In our globally connected world, we seek to build the cross-cultural relationships and competencies needed to help Montanans thrive. Our international programs and exchanges with participants from around the world provide an array of opportunities to explore global issues for youth, community members, professionals, and educators.

Community Engagement

Our mission is centered in the love the Mansfields had for Montana as well as the world. Missoula and Montana community engagement makes our programs possible, and we welcome community participants in all our programs. Opportunities include becoming a homestay or Fellowship hosts for international participants, signing up for Mansfield Center email updates, and supporting the Center directly.

Public Education

Public Education programs offered by the Center include a biannual dialogue series on current themes, evening leadership forums on critical topics, the Annual Mansfield Lecture, and Mansfield Conferences. 

Ethics and Public Affairs

The Mansfield Ethics and Public Affairs Program is charged with conducting research and educational activities focusing on the relationship of values to institutions and public affairs. Its work examines the role that ethical values can and should play in public life, the moral quandaries faced by those who govern, the philosophical and practical dimensions of political ethics, and the issues of leadership and character in public service.

Bipartisan Leadership

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library and the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center have partnered to create an online exhibit highlighting Mike Mansfield’s leadership during his long career in public service.  Learn more about his legacy of bipartisan leadership on such critical legislation as the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Gun Control Act, and more.

Read the Mansfield Essays

Defense Critical Language & Culture Program

Through the Mansfield Center, the Defense Critical Language and Culture Program provides intensive training for the U.S. military and other Department of Defense (DoD) personnel through a congressionally-funded Language Training Center initiative administered by the DoD's Defense Language National Security Education Office.