First Year Check-ins are events where Black identifying first year students can connect with each other, discuss transition to university, experiences had thus far, destress and have fun in a safe and supportive environment. These transitional year events are designed to support resource navigation.

First Year Check-ins are part of the ‘Black Flourishing and Placemaking at UTM’ initiative funded by APUF.

Black, Brilliance and Belonging (BBB) at UTM consists of a series of events that are designed for Black identifying students rooted in identity and culture. These events aim to support them in their transition into, and retention while in university. BBB programs help students to build a sense of belonging and community, and meaningful connections, paralleled with their academic journeys.

BBB is part of the ‘Black Flourishing and Placemaking at UTM’ initiative funded by APUF.

Students are given a head-start on their academic journey by participating in the Faculty of Arts & Science’s interactive High School Workshops Outreach Program. Designed to help Grade 11 and 12 students picture themselves at U of T, these free in-person and virtual workshops include a range of topics and experiences to choose from, including attending a university lecture and touring state-of-the-art labs.

These workshops are especially valuable for students from under-represented communities, giving them a first-hand look at inclusive and supportive post-secondary experiences. Led by professors, staff and students, sessions highlight Arts & Science’s 400+ academic programs and the many resources available to help undergraduate students succeed.

LinC STEM is an access science enrichment program co-developed by teaching staff, faculty, undergraduate & graduate students from the University of Toronto and Scarborough grade 9 and 10 STEM teachers from the Toronto District School Board.

The goal of the program is to support and encourage high school students from historically underrepresented communities (Black, Indigenous, Racialized, Queer, low SES, Girls, English language learners) in STEM to pursue science in post-secondary education through curriculum-linked hands-on science laboratory activities and workshops.

The program utilizes anti-racist/anti-oppressive frameworks to address and challenge common biases that often play a role in discouraging minoritized youth from pursuing STEM. Belonging in STEM is promoted through intergenerational mentorship from diverse scientist-mentors.

The Caribbean and Black Writing Collective (CBWC) is an initiative from the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (RGASC). It supports prospective and current students at UTM who identify as Black and/or Caribbean by providing them with a culturally affirming space where they can develop their academic skills while connecting with peers and faculty with similar cultural backgrounds.

CBWC programs include monthly co-working sessions that offer a welcoming environment for students to work independently on their writing. Faculty facilitators in these sessions provide a structure for work and make themselves available to students who want academic support. Special CBWC events include guest talks or workshops that create opportunities for community building, dialogue, and knowledge sharing. Students who consistently attend the collective are eligible to apply for co-curricular credit.

The BIRD program will support urban Indigenous high school students across the GTA to consider the education pathways within the Daniels disciplines of architecture, design, landscape architecture, forestry and visual studies and their related professional pathways. During the 2026 winter term, BIRD workshops will be led by faculty, students and staff and curated for an audience of urban Indigenous youth ages 14-18. Through BIRD engagement activities, Indigenous youth will consider how they would like to see Indigenous history, culture, identity and design reflected within architecture and design curricula. The feedback will potentially be incorporated into the curriculum of Daniels summer course offerings, and ultimately, all program offerings.

INFORM: Inclusive Futures in Information Science is a two-year pilot program led by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information. It introduces high school students from historically underrepresented communities to academic and career opportunities in data science, archival studies, digital humanities, and related fields. Through school visits, campus tours, workshops, hybrid modules, and student-led panels, INFORM demystifies the field and promotes university as accessible and achievable. To support the transition to post-secondary education, students receive tailored guidance on university applications, funding, and academic expectations. Each participant is paired with a mentor from the Bachelor of Information (BI) community and gains skills through workshops in writing, research, and critical thinking.

Altitude Healthcare Mentoring, MAM and STG, is a medical student-run initiative across Ontario aimed at empowering undergraduate students to pursue studies and careers in healthcare fields by partnering them with medical student mentors. The students selected to participate in this program are traditionally underrepresented in Canada’s healthcare workforce. The program includes one-on-one mentoring supported by monthly career development initiatives for the mentees. The events included an IHPSA panel, a “How to Survive Undergrad at U of T” presentation, a CV building workshop and mindfulness and time management sessions.

ZKA’AN NI-BMIWDOOWIN GCHI-KINOOMAADWINAN, Building the Fire, Walking with Medicine is a one-week program for Indigenous students in grades 9 and 10 with an interest in exploring healthcare opportunities. This program is run collaboratively with the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Office of Access and Outreach (OAO) and the Office of Indigenous Health, ZKA’AN NI-BMIWDOOWIN GCHI-KINOOMAADWINAN, and will provide 10 youth with culturally safe and trauma-informed programming with opportunities to build long-lasting relationships from within the program. With greater exposure to Indigenous leadership, knowledges, governance systems and healing practices, participants are encouraged to reflect on the environment around them and are empowered to carve their own meaningful paths forward, walking with confidence, a greater sense of connection, purpose, and community.

The Black Student Application Program (BSAP) is an optional application stream for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents who self-identify as Black African, Black Caribbean, Black North American, multi-racial students who have and identify with their Black ancestry.

The aim of this application program is to increase and support Black medical student representation at the University of Toronto. Through BSAP, we hope to break down some of the barriers that might impede Black students from applying and nurture an inclusive environment that is welcoming to all.