Lead with Purpose. Grow through Action.
Ready to make a real impact on campus and beyond? The Community Leadership Development Program is a hands-on volunteer opportunity to lead real projects, build leadership skills and connect with a community of student leaders!
Registration closes September 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
What You Will Gain
Leadership development that happens in the real world.
CLDP pairs practical community experience with training, support and meaningful connections across UTM and the local community. As a Community Leader, you will have the opportunity to:
Lead real projectsHelp develop and facilitate CSE programs alongside UTM staff and/or community partners. | Build leadership skillsReceive leadership training and ongoing support from peers and staff. |
Find your communityConnect with other student leaders in the Centre for Student Engagement. | Earn Co-Curricular Record RecognitionGain valuable experience, CCR recognition and a recommendation letter upon request. |
Program Structure
Start by choosing a Community Leader role. Participants are considered Community Leaders (CLs). Role preference is collected in the application, and the program will do its best to place you in your preferred role.
| 24 Community Leader positions available in the Fall 2026 semester. The application is one click away! | 4 Required 1-Hour in-person trainings to prepare you for your roles and ensure you are getting the support you need. |
| 40 Total Volunteer Commitment during the academic year. You can gain excellent leadership experience, while focusing on your academics! | Co-Curricular Record Recognition. An excellent way to start building your resume experiences in your undergraduate degree. |
Current Opportunities
OCTOBER–APRIL STEAM Community Leader Support STEAM Day programming and help create engaging community learning experiences. | OCTOBER–DECEMBER STEAM Mentorship Academy Community Leader Support the STEAM Mentorship Academy. You must be available Thursdays from 2:00–4:30 PM from October to December. |
Your 40-Hour Commitment
| 25 Hours | Community Volunteering Volunteer in the UTM and/or local community through your Community Leader role, applying leadership skills in a practical setting. |
| 10 Hours | Leadership Training + Meetings Includes four required in-person, one-hour training sessions between October 6 and November 28, 2026. You’ll attend all four with the same small group. |
| 5 Hours | Program Administration Complete program tasks such as emails, reflections and surveys. |
First required in-person session: Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM EST. Details for the four additional one-hour training sessions are available in the application form.
What Community Leaders Say
“Volunteering with the CSE this year has been a transformative experience for my personal and professional growth. It gave me the opportunity to step into leadership roles where I learned how to support others, manage stress, and adapt to new situations.” Niana Singh | “It helped me connect with others and feel more involved! I really enjoyed working with others at UTM to contribute to larger missions beyond our campus.” Massimo Bozzo |
“Volunteering with the CSE pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to explore new challenges and develop confidence in my leadership skills. Through hands-on experiences... I discovered my leadership style... while learning to adapt, collaborate, and problem-solve effectively. Stepping into unfamiliar roles showed me that leadership isn't about having all the answers but about guiding and supporting a team toward a shared goal. This experience gave me the confidence to take initiative, trust my abilities, and grow as a leader.” Natran Tewoldemedhin | “It has certainly helped me manage my time, and I loved volunteering with the CSE. The camaraderie between all members of the team really made me feel at home, and showed me that this is something that I would love to be a part of in the future.” Ng'ang'a Gitau |
Looking Ahead
Winter 2027 opportunities
Two Community Leader roles that take place from January to April. Registration for these two roles will open on January 5th, 2027:
- Alternative Reading Week Community Leaders support Alternative Reading Week
- STEAM Mentorship Academy Community Leaders will once again be needed, this time supporting January-April SMA programming.
Inquiries
For all questions and feedback regarding the Community Leadership Development Program, please contact:
Dominique Da Silva
Supervisor, Leadership Education
- Email: dominique.dasilva@utoronto.ca