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Black Youth Mentorship Program in Medicinal Chemistry

APUF Funded in 2022

Through this initiative, Black high school students are introduced to the wonders of science, helping to address barriers and combat discouragement often encountered in science-based academic and career paths. It offers opportunities to explore diverse fields, gain independence, and develop critical scientific and life skills, such as confidence and resilience. This program aligns with unit, division, and institutional goals to promote STEM education among Black students from underrepresented communities. It leverages extensive experience in engaging youth and recruiting students to the University of Toronto. Over the past nine years, this program has made a tangible impact, motivating many Black high school students to enroll at UTM.

Focus

  • Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
  • Outreach & Engagement: increase awareness and understanding of post-secondary pathways

Features

  • Community engagement
  • Experiential learning (e.g., co-op, internship, design challenges, field trips, etc.)
  • Tutoring & mentorship

Timeframe

  • March Break
  • Summer

Participants

Ages

  • High school students

Groups

  • Racialized students

Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS)

APUF Funded in 2020

Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) is Canada’s leading law school youth access diversity pipeline program and is recognized as a leader across North America. LAWS operates as an education engagement and support program for high school students facing barriers to access due to personal and systemic factors, including low socioeconomic status, race, culture, newcomer status, living in low-income neighborhoods, and being the first in their families to consider postsecondary. From workshops, mentoring programs and more, LAWS increases legal knowledge, self-advocacy, leadership, and belonging. Housed at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, LAWS was established in 2005 as a partnership with the Toronto District School Board. LAWS’ overarching goal is to increase the diversity of the legal sector, as well as broaden perspectives and experiences shaping the justice system and community.

Focus

  • Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
  • Outreach & Engagement: increase awareness and understanding of post-secondary pathways

Features

  • Academic credit: dual
  • Career exploration
  • Community engagement
  • Experiential learning (e.g., co-op, internship, design challenges, field trips, etc.)
  • Participant incentive(s) (e.g., expense reimbursement, bursaries, scholarships)
  • Tutoring & mentorship
  • Wrap-around services (e.g. provision of food, skills development workshops, writing centre and library access, etc.)

Timeframe

  • Fall Term
  • Summer
  • Winter Term

Participants

Ages

  • High school students

Groups

  • First-generation students
  • Low-income students
  • Newcomers to Canada
  • Racialized students
  • Students from communities with limited access to post-secondary education (e.g. rural or remote communities)
  • Students requiring outreach/transition support

Law Youth Summer Program (YSP)

The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law offers high school students a unique law school experience through the Law YSP summer camp. This program features seven week-long modules, providing unique exposure to various areas of law, including corporate law, criminal law, international law, and social justice. Students currently enrolled in grades 10 through 12 spend their summer discussing advanced legal concepts, learning about the reality of the Canadian legal system, and applying their knowledge in a variety of stimulating environments. For high school students interested in the law and legal issues, the Law YSP offers an unprecedented opportunity to spend time in the fascinating world of Canadian and international law, legal thinking and advocacy.

Focus

  • Outreach & Engagement: increase awareness and understanding of post-secondary pathways

Features

  • Career exploration
  • Community engagement
  • Experiential learning (e.g., co-op, internship, design challenges, field trips, etc.)
  • Participant fee(s)

Timeframe

  • March Break
  • Summer

Participants

Ages

  • High school students

Black Future Lawyers

APUF Funded in 2019

Black Future Lawyers (BFL) represents a groundbreaking collaboration involving UofT Law, the Black Law Students Association, Black alumni, and the wider legal community. BFL provides support and engagement opportunities for Black undergraduate students aspiring to attend law school and pursue legal careers. The initiative aims to boost the number of Black students attending law school and joining the legal profession.

The BFL Annual Conference is a dynamic and empowering one-day undergraduate conference. This event aims to provide valuable insights, resources, and networking opportunities to support Black students on their journey to law school and beyond.

Focus

  • Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
  • Outreach & Engagement: increase awareness and understanding of post-secondary pathways

Features

  • Alumni engagement
  • Career exploration
  • Community engagement
  • Experiential learning (e.g., co-op, internship, design challenges, field trips, etc.)

Timeframe

  • Evenings
  • Fall Term
  • Weekends
  • Winter Term

Participants

Ages

  • Undergraduate students

Groups

  • Racialized students

Summer Mentorship Program

The Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) is a unique initiative designed for high school students who are Indigenous or identify as Black African, Black Caribbean, Black North American, or multi-racial with connections to Black heritage. Participants join hands-on activities, experiments, lectures, and specialized projects led by professionals at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. They explore fields such as Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, Dentistry, Kinesiology, Physiotherapy, and Medicine, among others. Additionally, participants can shadow professionals during clinical placements at hospitals across the Greater Toronto Area. Each student is paired with a mentor—an undergraduate or recent graduate from a health sciences program—offering personalized guidance on post-secondary pathways.

Focus

  • Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
  • Outreach & Engagement: increase awareness and understanding of post-secondary pathways

Features

  • Academic success
  • Career exploration
  • Community engagement
  • Participant incentive(s) (e.g., expense reimbursement, bursaries, scholarships)
  • Tutoring & mentorship

Timeframe

  • Summer

Participants

Ages

  • High school students

Groups

  • First-generation students
  • Indigenous students
  • Low-income students
  • Racialized students
  • Secondary school students with low credit accumulation and/or achievement rates
  • Students from communities with limited access to post-secondary education (e.g. rural or remote communities)

Indigenous Peer Mentorship Group

The Indigenous Peer Mentorship Group (IPMG) was created to build community among new to UTM Indigenous students while introducing them to supports and services around campus that foster their holistic well-being during a transitional time in their education journeys. Additionally, this program is designed to empower Indigenous Students in their identities and create a space for open dialogue on similar experiences. Participating students attend workshops and events with upper-year Indigenous students who offer mentorship, coaching, and advice based on their post-secondary experiences.

Focus

  • Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
  • Retention & Persistence: help participants complete and graduate from postsecondary programs

Features

  • Academic success
  • Career exploration
  • Community engagement
  • Experiential learning (e.g., co-op, internship, design challenges, field trips, etc.)
  • Tutoring & mentorship
  • Wrap-around services (e.g. provision of food, skills development workshops, writing centre and library access, etc.)

Timeframe

  • Fall Term
  • Winter Term

Participants

Ages

  • Graduate students
  • Mature students
  • Undergraduate students

Groups

  • Indigenous students

Black Engaging Faculty Event

Black Engaging Faculty Events (EFE)  are facilitated experiences meant to provide connection and visibility to Black faculty on campus. This event allows students to network and build relationships with peers and faculty through intentional activity and conversation.

Focus

  • Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
  • Retention & Persistence: help participants complete and graduate from postsecondary programs

Features

  • Academic success
  • Career exploration
  • Community engagement

Timeframe

  • Evenings
  • Fall Term
  • Winter Term

Participants

Ages

  • Undergraduate students

Groups

  • Racialized students

SEE @ UTM

Support, Engage, Experience University of Toronto Mississauga (SEE UTM) is an access program and collaboration between the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and Peel District School Board. SEE UTM aims to make post-secondary education more accessible to students who come from communities historically underrepresented at UTM. These students may have been marginalized due to socio-economic status, race or ethnicity, family history, or other factors but have the potential, given the opportunity, to excel. Students experience university education, earn an OSSD, and university credit at University of Toronto Mississauga.

Focus

  • Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education

Features

  • Academic credit: dual
  • Academic success
  • Career exploration
  • Experiential learning (e.g., co-op, internship, design challenges, field trips, etc.)
  • Participant fee(s)
  • Tutoring & mentorship
  • Wrap-around services (e.g. provision of food, skills development workshops, writing centre and library access, etc.)

Timeframe

  • Fall Term

Participants

Ages

  • High school students

Groups

  • Racialized students

Indigenous Access Day

APUF Funded in 2024

Indigenous Access Days is an initiative aimed at giving Indigenous students the opportunity to experience the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) campus and become familiar with the support and services available at UTM and other institutions. This program is intended to empower Indigenous students to view post-secondary education as a viable option by demonstrating how the integration of traditional Indigenous knowledge and Western education can uplift our respective communities. During Indigenous Access Days, students are introduced to various academic, cultural, social, and financial supports and programs at UTM, such as the Indigenous Tuition Waiver, Indigenous Student Support Specialist, and Indigenous Counsellors.

Focus

  • Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
  • Outreach & Engagement: increase awareness and understanding of post-secondary pathways

Features

  • Alumni engagement
  • Career exploration
  • Community engagement
  • Tutoring & mentorship

Timeframe

  • Fall Term

Participants

Ages

  • High school students

Groups

  • Indigenous students

UTM Bridging Pathway (UTMBP) Mentorship Program

The U of T Mississauga Bridging Pathway (UTMBP) provides mature students (over 20 years of age) with the opportunity to gain admission to undergraduate studies, even if they do not meet traditional admission requirements and have been away from formal education for some time. Participants can choose to join a mentorship program that includes peer mentorship, transitional workshops, and community-building events.

Focus

  • Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
  • Retention & Persistence: help participants complete and graduate from postsecondary programs

Features

  • Academic success
  • Career exploration
  • Participant incentive(s) (e.g., expense reimbursement, bursaries, scholarships)
  • Tutoring & mentorship
  • Wrap-around services (e.g. provision of food, skills development workshops, writing centre and library access, etc.)

Timeframe

  • Fall Term
  • Winter Term

Participants

Ages

  • Mature students