Leadership Legacy
Leadership Legacy is a year-end celebration that highlights how TMU students lead in their everyday lives. Whether you’re the president of a student group, a volunteer in your community, an older sibling, or simply someone passionate about personal growth, Leadership Legacy recognizes the many ways students make an impact. Join us as we celebrate the stories, experiences, and accomplishments that define TMU’s student leaders. Learn more about this year’s showcase on our ExploreTMU event page.
Leadership Legacy Showcase
Celebrating Our Student Leaders
The following testimonials highlight the incredible ways TMU students demonstrate leadership, inclusivity, and community impact. From mentorship and event planning to advocacy and peer support, these stories showcase how students are shaping our campus and leaving their mark through the Leadership Legacy Showcase.
My leadership journey at TMU began as a TedPack Leader in TRSM, where I supported first-year students in their transition to university while adjusting to my own. I later served as a Residence Recruitment Ambassador and was recognized among the Top 10% Most Engaged First-Year Students, earning the “Get Connected” award for community building. Currently, as Vice President of Special Projects with the Toronto (Met) Entrepreneurship Association and Director of Events with Ted Rogers ACE, I’ve organized conferences like LEAD, Spark, and CaseCraft. As the 2024 Orientation Crew Lead, I led 400+ volunteers and coordinated events fostering engagement across the TMU community.
During my time at TMU, I’ve contributed to student life through leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. As Executive Director of Events for the Faculty of Community Services Society, I’ve organized large-scale events like SLC Live and student day trips, engaging over 2,000 students and managing a $100,000 budget. I also supervise Recreation Facilities to support student well-being and serve as a Student Council Representative for the Food and Nutrition program, advocating for academic and community needs. Through the Nutrition Course Union and FCS recruitment events, I continue to promote health education, inclusivity, and belonging across the TMU community.
My volunteer journey at TMU began with INSPIRE 2023, where I first discovered the impact of student leadership and community. I later joined O-Crew 2023, which deepened my involvement and led me to student staff roles such as O-Team 2024, Peer Academic Coach (PAC), and VP Operations for ELEVATE 2025. What continues to inspire me is giving back to the community that supported me when I first arrived at TMU. Whether through academic coaching or organizing events that foster belonging, I take pride in helping others thrive the same way TMU helped me grow into the leader I am today.
Hosting TMU’s UNI101 gave me a deeper appreciation for the student experience and the diverse perspectives within our community. Each interaction taught me the value of empathy and intentional connection. I’ve carried these lessons into my campus involvement most recently as a coordinator for the Student Leadership Conference where I continue to grow as a leader and contribute to meaningful community-building initiatives.
During my time at TMU, I’ve contributed to multiple communities through creative leadership and student support. In my first year, I volunteered with the TMU Baseball Team as a social media manager and photographer, maintaining their online presence and writing post-game articles for the TMU Athletics website. As a team lead with Toronto Metropolitan Formula Racing, I led content creation and the Women in Motorsports campaign, inspiring more women to join. With the Society of The Creative School, I help organize and document meetings, and through Writing and Language Support, I assist students in strengthening their academic communication skills.
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Throughout my undergraduate journey, I’ve contributed to the TMU community through creativity, collaboration, and advocacy. As a member of Dance Pak, I helped coordinate a partnership with the Princess Margaret Foundation for the Walk to Conquer Cancer and assisted Notre Dame High School with choreography for recitals and competitions. With TMU Athletics, our team brings spirit and energy to campus events. As part of the SIF Committee, I help student groups secure funding to bring initiatives to life. I also support the Organization of Latin American Students, SMASH, and Women in Engineering to promote inclusion and well-being across campus.
My leadership journey at TMU began as a Therapy Dog Program Assistant, coordinating weekly programming and volunteers. I later supported TMULeadership’s 2024 Orientation and now serve as the Student Leadership Assistant – Volunteer Programming Lead, organizing Volunteer Fairs, Volunteer Days, and community initiatives. I manage volunteer postings on ExploreTMU and coordinated the care package station for the International Women’s Day event. Beyond this, I’ve represented TMU at outreach events like the Ontario Universities Fair and Open House. With the TMU Black Scholarship Institute, I design materials, recruit students, and promote Black flourishing while mentoring peers and leading community appreciation initiatives.
Malaika has made remarkable contributions as a Peer Support Facilitator, helping to educate students during Safer Choices Week and collaborating with the Social Work department to promote wellness resources. She has planned and facilitated multiple peer groups—such as the Women’s Group and Queer Community Circle—creating inclusive spaces for connection and growth. Beyond TMU, she advocates for peer support across programs and represents the university in the University College Community of Practice. Her calm presence, empathy, and inclusive leadership make her an inspiring force within the TMU community.
Ria began her leadership journey as a Residence Ambassador at the International Living/Learning Centre, representing TMU Housing & Residence and supporting her community. She later served as the second-year representative and Co-President of the Journalism Course Union, where she organized events, collaborated with faculty, and advocated for student success. Currently, as President of the Society of The Creative School (SCS), Ria leads a 16-member board representing over 6,000 students, fostering academic, creative, and professional growth. She also volunteered as a Conference Coordinator for the 2024 and 2025 Student Leadership Conferences, further expanding her impact within the TMU community.
Spotlight on Student Groups
TMU is home to hundreds of vibrant student groups that foster belonging, creativity, and leadership across campus. From academic societies to cultural collectives, these groups create spaces for students to connect, collaborate, and make a difference.
Over the past year, SASSH has hosted over 20 events, including the annual Undergraduate Research Conference and the SPROUT Case Competition, supporting students’ academic and professional growth. They’ve also collaborated across departments to promote menstrual equity, provide free food, and foster community in the Arts Lounge. Through the creation of a D2L shell, SASSH made key campus resources more accessible to students. Most notably, they’ve championed inclusivity and financial accessibility by offering funding initiatives and grants for individuals and student groups. SASSH’s dedication to equity, engagement, and student success embodies true leadership and continues to enhance the TMU student experience.
The 2025 Law and Business Conference targets a diverse group of undergraduate students from TMU and beyond, including those in Law, Business, STEM, and social sciences. We aim to engage students interested in applying technical skills to the legal industry, exploring intersections between technology, entrepreneurship, and public policy. Our outreach emphasizes inclusivity, welcoming racialized, gender-diverse, and other equity-deserving students to ensure diverse perspectives shape discussions. Additionally, international students and participants from other universities bring global viewpoints, enriching conversations on how technological trends influence legal frameworks and societal impacts both in Canada and internationally.
The Student Wellbeing Advisory Group (SWAG) is a student-led initiative dedicated to fostering a healthier, more inclusive TMU community. Through monthly meetings and ongoing engagement, members provide feedback, co-design ideas, and advocate for equitable, student-centered wellbeing services and initiatives. Representing diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, SWAG has supported enhancements to mental health resources, event programming, and strategic planning, ensuring accessibility and relevance. By bridging student perspectives with institutional decision-making, SWAG empowers students to be change agents, strengthening individual and collective wellbeing while cultivating a culture of advocacy, connection, and care that aligns with TMU’s commitment to equity and community growth.
The TRACE 24/25 team has fostered a transformative and inclusive environment at TMU, engaging over 130 delegates in personal and professional growth. Through delegate development sessions, students explored 15 business categories from tech and innovation to sports and entertainment management building confidence and skills. The Spark Conference allowed 75 students to present their learning to industry professionals, alumni, and faculty, inspiring 79 students to compete at ACE Canada Nationals, where TMU achieved multiple first-place wins. TRACE serves as a catalyst for future leaders, providing valuable experiences, networks, and opportunities that empower students to excel and make a lasting impact on the TMU community.
The student team has built a vibrant community connecting undergraduate and graduate students while supporting scholarly and creative research through presentations, publications, and accessible sharing via social media (3,000 Instagram followers) and newsletters. They organized the first biannual Graduate Student Symposium, Unravelling Fashion Narratives, co-hosted with Parsons NYC, featuring 33 papers by TMU MA and PhD students, to be published as a Special Issue in Summer 2025. They also released the Fashioning Sustainment Special Issue with the University of Brighton and are preparing their first bilingual publication for Spring 2025. The team fosters professional growth and advances student-led research locally and globally.