The University of Toronto Enrichment Academy Team is the recipient of the Innovative Team of the Year Award for their achievements in designing and launching a new initiative to directly engage historically underrepresented students with pathways to post-secondary education. Members of the outreach team are Lydia Gill (Team Lead), Gowthaman Chelvarajah, Leah Robertson, and Jeffrey Scholl.

This flagship program targets historically underrepresented students in the Greater Toronto Area, offering comprehensive support from grade 8 onwards to enhance their access to higher education. The Team worked diligently to establish the program, securing partnerships, and garnering support within a short timeframe. The Academy was launched successfully in July 2023, offering activities and workshops throughout the year. The team’s dedication led to positive feedback from students and supporters, with near-perfect attendance rates and favorable surveys. Further efforts include hiring a program coordinator, learning from other educational programs, and engaging a design agency to enhance the program’s identity. Their hard work was acknowledged with a $300,000 grant from the Embark Foundation. The Team’s commitment to innovation and improvement sets a standard for increasing university access for underrepresented groups in Canada.