Leadership positions
Looking to get involved on campus in a position where you can be a part of leading your peers? We offer a number of leadership opportunities!
These positions are a great way to develop your personal and professional skills, and each can be added to your Student Experience Record to demonstrate your co-curricular involvement and highlight your transferable skills that will be an asset in your professional industry.
Not sure where to begin? The Ambassador program is a great place to start, especially if you're currently in your first year of studies at the university.
Once you become an Ambassador, you'll be eligible to apply for additional Ambassador leadership positions such as:
-
Peer Mentor*
Additional leadership opportunities
Outside of the Ambassador program, there are a variety of other leadership positions available to upper-year students. Involvement in the Ambassador program is not a requirement for these roles.
- International Student Leader
- Orientation Leader
- Peer Mentor*
- Peer Wellness Educator
- Ridgeback Student Voices Creator
- Sustainability Champion
International Student Leader (ISL)
ISLs will collaborate with International Student Advisors who work within the International Office, to help provide support to international and exchange students.
Role summary
- Assist in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for international students through their arrival and transition to university life. This opportunity allows students to engage with peers in an enriching way by sharing your own experiences and culture while learning about theirs.
- Serve as a role model, encouraging students to get involved within the university community and accessing the resources available to them.
- Open to all international and domestic students.
Responsibilities
- Attend and complete all ISL training.
Orientation and New Arrival Support Program (NASP) Committee
- Support orientation events and assist with transitioning new students by leading 2 to 3 NASP sessions per semester.
Engagement Committee
- Create and host engaging events on campus during the academic year.
Graduate Student Connections Committee
- Host networking events and provide support to international graduate students. You must be a graduate-level student to be part of this committee.
Community Connections Committee
- Create and host events that encourage community engagement during the academic year.
- Plan and attend events that encourage social networking and provide opportunities for students to connect and create a sense of community.
- Participate in committee meetings throughout the spring/summer and fall and winter semesters.
Time Commitment
- ISLs are recruited during the winter semester, with training requirements in the spring. The tasks and responsibilities of this position will largely run from May 2026 to March 2027, with a time commitment of approximately 25 hours total.
See below for a more detailed timeline description:
- Complete Leadership Foundations Training (virtual).
- Attend an in-person ISL Meet and Greet in March 2026.
- ISL specific training - virtual and in-person throughout April and May 2026.
- Attend committee meetings during spring/summer, fall and winter to plan for each event within your committee.
- Plan and execute events during the fall and winter semesters as per your committee assignment.
- Attend Fall and Winter Orientation sessions for international-specific programming.
Project Management
- Once committees have been formed, ISLs will work together to plan various events according to their committees’ focus.
Innovation
- ISLs are encouraged to be creative with their event ideas and encourage collaboration.
Requirements
- ISLs must be available for all training sessions and actively participate in their committee and associated tasks.
Necessary skills:
Communication:
- Active listening - actively listens, interprets information and responds appropriately to foster clear and effective communication.
- Asks clarifying questions - seeks understanding before responding or taking action.
Organizational:
- Ability to plan, execute and participate in events.
- Has attention to detail.
- Manages time effectively and ability to prioritize tasks.
Interpersonal:
- Actively listens and seeks to understand new or differing perspectives to encourage dialogue and knowledge-sharing.
- Works collaboratively and communicates respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Outcomes
- Add to your Student Experience Record.
- Develop your interpersonal skills, leadership skills and knowledge.
- Enhance your intercultural sensitivity and communication skills.
- Enhance your social and support network.
- Gain skills in event organization and workshop facilitation.
- Promote diversity and intercultural sensitivity on campus and ensure interactions with students are inclusive and respectful.
Contact information
- If you have questions or would like to learn more about this role please email the International Student Advising team at iss@ontariotechu.ca.
Application process
- Informal group interview will take place the first week of February 2026 in-person.
Orientation Leader
Orientation leaders will work in close collaboration with a Student Development Specialist and are supported by the Student Engagement and Equity Office
Role Summary
- Responsible for providing guidance and leadership, building community, and supporting the transition of new students during Fall Orientation.
Responsibilities
- Orientation Leaders will be responsible for leading group activities and discussions, giving campus tours, facilitating connections between students, providing support and information on both academic and social aspects of university life and contributing to creating a welcoming and positive environment at Ontario Tech for all incoming students.
Time commitment
Orientation Leaders are recruited at the beginning of the winter semester, with training requirements in the summer. The main tasks and responsibilities of this position will occur from late-August throughout early-September 2026. Orientation leaders must be able to attend Orientation training and Orientation programming over Labour Day weekend.
Team commitment
- You'll positively represent Ontario Tech as role models for all new students.
- You'll work as part of a team assisting with the preparation of Orientation activities and materials.
Presenting/facilitating
- Communicate and promote Ontario Tech values.
- Serve as a resource and refer new students to campus services as needed.
Requirements
- Must be available for all training events and Fall Orientation over Labour Day weekend.
- Must complete all mandatory training elements facilitated both online and in-person.
Necessary skills
Communication
- Ability to actively listen, interpret and respond in a way that ensures effective communication with staff and peers and new students.
- Confidence in presenting and speaking to unfamiliar groups of people including students, staff, faculty, and members of the community.
Organization
- Ability to plan, and facilitate, engaging activities and experiences for students.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
Interpersonal
- Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and individuals of different backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets to foster a cohesive and open campus culture.
- Keen willingness to engage in dialogue, and learn about diversity and inclusivity.
- Strong understanding of equity-related issues.
Contact information
- If you have question or would like to learn more about this role please email our Student Development Specialist at haylea.leaman@ontariotechu.ca.
Application process
- No interview is required.
- Completing the application, including all questions, serves as your final submission. Additional information about next steps will be shared in late February 2026.
Peer Mentor
Peer Mentors will work in close collaboration with a Student Development Specialist and are supported by the Student Engagement and Equity office.
Role Summary
- The purpose of the Peer Mentor Program is to support new students as they transition into their first year of university life at Ontario Tech. All new, incoming students are matched with an upper-year Peer Mentor from their respective faculties. Peer Mentors are available to their assigned group of student mentees during the summer months leading up to Orientation and to the end of September.
- Peer Mentors play an integral role at Orientation in September, supporting programming and liaising between faculties and SEE staff.
Responsibilities
Spring/Summer (June to August)
- Attend all Peer Mentor Program training dates and retreat.
- Oversee your Faculty group digital space with mentees by responding to questions and sharing information to support their arrival on campus virtually throughout July and August.
- Participate in Orientation program planning and preparations.
- Routinely review and respond to communications from program staff.
Orientation - Labour Day Weekend
- Attend Orientation training dates.
- Lead incoming students through orientation activities.
- Liaise between the SEE team and campus partners.
- Support students with their initial transition into university life/welcoming them to campus.
Fall semester (September)
- Attend a Meet your Peer Mentor event with mentees/engage in the campus community.
- Attend any meetings with the program coordinator.
- Continue to share information, post on the group space regarding any events, supports or helpful information and resources. Continue to monitor engagement and respond to questions.
- Complete a program survey at the end of September.
Time commitment
- Peer Mentors are recruited during the winter term, with some training requirements in spring/summer. The tasks and responsibilities of this position will largely run from about June to September 2026, with a time commitment of approximately 55 hours. During this time, Seniors will complete the following mandatory activities:
- Have completed Ambassador Training, Level 1 OR Leadership Foundations (prerequisite to this role but can complete either one before the spring).
- Attend a Leader Welcome Event – Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
- Attend a 3-day leadership training retreat at Camp Medeba – April 29 to May 1.
- Attend virtual Peer Mentor training - Spring 2026.
- Attend half-day Orientation training in-person – Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
- Attend Orientation – September 5 to 7 (Labour Day Weekend).*
- Have completed Ambassador Training, Level 1 OR Leadership Foundations (prerequisite to this role but can complete either one before the spring).
- Participate in one AskMe booth shift during the first week of school to promote the mentorship program
- Attend a brief virtual meeting when needed with the program coordinator.
- Attend an in-person Meet your Peer Mentor event in early September (two hours).
*Peer Mentors must be available to attend all training and Orientation dates, especially the Camp Medeba Retreat and Labour Day weekend, to be eligible for the role. Please do not apply for this position if you know you will be unable to fully participate in these activities.
Requirements
- Peer Mentors must be available for all training events and fall Orientation, as well as complete all mandatory training, online and in-person.
Necessary skills
Communication Skills
- Ability to actively listen, interpret and respond in a way that ensures effective communication with staff, peers, and mentees.
- Confidence in presenting and speaking to unfamiliar groups of people, including students, staff, faculty, and members of the community.
Organization
- Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
- Ability to plan, coordinate and execute events and student engagement initiatives.
- Understanding of goal-setting for personal growth and success.
Interpersonal
- Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and individuals of different backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets, to foster a cohesive and open campus culture.
- Strong understanding of equity-related issues; along with a keen willingness to engage in dialogue and learn about diversity and inclusivity.
Outcomes
- Students who successfully complete the requirements of the Peer Mentor role will be eligible to include the position on their Student Experience Record and gain ambassador points.
Contact information
- If you have question or would like to learn more about this role please email Lindsay, Student Development Specialist at lindsay.smith@ontariotechu.ca.
Application process
- Informal group interview will take place the first week of February 2026 in-person.
Peer Wellness Educator
Peer Wellness Educators inspire healthier living on campus by connecting students to wellness resources and encouraging positive lifestyle choices. This role reports to Health Promotions within the Student Engagement and Equity office.Role Summary
- Help foster a healthy campus community by engaging their peers in wellness campaigns, sharing reliable health information and supporting health promotion activities across campus.
- Gain hands-on skills in health promotion, program planning, and evaluation; strengthen their leadership and presentation abilities; expand their knowledge of health and wellness topics; and build meaningful connections with campus and community partners, all while supporting the overall wellness of Ontario Tech students.
Responsibilities
- Complete required training and participate in ongoing learning opportunities related to health promotion and peer education.
- Collaborate with fellow Peer Wellness Educators to plan and deliver in-person health promotion campaigns and activities that support a healthy campus culture.
- Contribute to program evaluation through surveys, feedback forms, and reflection activities.
- Model a balanced, respectful, and health-conscious lifestyle that aligns with Ontario Tech’s commitment to student well-being.
- Review and update campaign content to ensure all materials remain accurate, engaging, and relevant to the student experience.
- Share credible health information and promote campus and community resources through in-person outreach displays, workshops, and digital platforms.
- Support and empower students to make informed choices and work toward their personal wellness goals.
- Time commitment of 4 hours per week (including team meetings) during the Fall and Winter semesters.
- Use a harm-reduction and anti-oppressive approach when discussing health topics and engaging with peers.
- Work with the Health Promotion Coordinator to design, implement and evaluate health and wellness initiatives throughout the academic year.
Requirements
- Ability to foster an inclusive, accessible, and safe environment for discussions about health and wellness, listening respectfully and providing guidance while remaining non-judgmental.
- Ability to use discretion and empathy when handling confidential or sensitive information.
- Consistent commitment to being on campus (primarily North) to fulfil volunteer responsibilities.
- Comfortable using in-person strategies and digital platforms to reach students through outreach activities and events.
- Collaborative approach and ability to work effectively with a team of other Peer Wellness Educators to plan, deliver, and evaluate campaigns and outreach activities.
- Curiosity about a broad range of health and wellness topics, including emotional well-being, self-care, sleep, active living, nutrition, substance use, sexual health, and more.
- Demonstrated interest in supporting student well-being and promoting a healthy campus community.
- Strong communication skills, with the confidence to engage peers, staff, and faculty in wellness discussions, reduce stigma, and encourage prevention and early help-seeking.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to balance extracurricular and academic responsibilities.
Contact Information
Application process
- All applicants will receive a short set of screening questions to assess their interest in the Peer Wellness Educator role and in health and wellness topics. Students who provide strong responses will be invited to participate in a group interview, where final selections for the program will be made.
Ridgeback Student Voices Creator
Creators work closely with the Digital Community and Content Co-ordinator to create content for internal-facing communications and marketing channels.
Role Summary
Members of the Ridgeback Student Voices Creator team work individually and as a team to create content, plan campaigns, and promote Ridgeback Student Voices with the goal of enhancing feelings of belonging and community at the university.
This position is for students interested in using their creativity to create a welcoming and connected campus community, focusing on digital engagement and who are passionate about strengthening and fostering feelings of pride and community at the university.
Responsibilities
- Act as the representatives of Ridgeback Student Voices, a space for students and their voices.
- Collaborate with other university departments and student initiatives to build community.
- Participate in program assessment, which may include feedback forms, evaluations and/or foc
us groups. - Work independently and as a part of a team to curate content for Ridgeback Student Voices in the form of (including but not limited to): blogs, quizzes, Social media videos, and podcasts.
- Work closely with the Ridgeback Student Voices team to develop promotions for your content.
Time commitment
- Expect to spend up to 10 hours a month creating written and/or social content and promoting Ridgeback Student Voices.
- Up to four hours of writing.
- One to three hours of content ideation/planning.
- One to two hours of promotion planning.
Requirements
- Complete a virtual Content Creation training (less than one hour, mandatory).
- Complete a minimum of eight pieces of content throughout the term of the position.
- Interest in a broad range of topics, willing to write about your personal experiences.
- Passion for creating digital content.
Necessary skills
- Experience creating Reels/TikToks and being comfortable being on camera is an asset.
- Effective project management skills with strong attention to detail.
- Effective time management.
- Openness to constructive feedback.
- Self-motivated.
Outcomes
- Build or strengthen your personal brand.
- Develop communication and storytelling skills.
- Gain tangible experience in project management and digital marketing.
- Learn and improve writing skills for blogging.
- Learn and improve storyboarding and video editing skills for social media.
Contact information
Email community@ontariotechu.ca.
Application process
Interested applicants will be instructed to complete a short assignment, showcasing their passion for digital storytelling, current skills and knowledge of digital content creation. Successful candidates will be offered a spot as a Ridgeback Student Voice Creator.
Sustainability Champion
- Sustainability Champions collaborate with the Sustainability and Asset planner to promote sustainability on campus.
Role summary
- Work collaboratively with the Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability to bring sustainable project ideas to life through the use of social media, engagement events, and workshops.
Responsibilities
- Act as representatives of the Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability.
- Complete Leadership Foundations and AODA training.
- Collaborate with other university departments and student clubs on communications and marketing.
- Participate in outdoor activities at the campus farm (planting, invasive weed pulling, cleanups etc.).
- Table to promote upcoming sustainability events and initiatives (Fairtrade Month, Bike Month, Pollinator Week etc.).
- Work as a part of a team to plan sustainability campaigns, events, and projects.
- Work independently to curate content for the Sustainability social channels and website—including but not limited to—blogs, interviews, stories, reels etc.
Time commitment
- September 2026 to April 2027 (with an opportunity to stay on for the summer 2027 if interested).
Requirements
- Attend one of two kick-off meetings.
Necessary skills:
- Effective project management skills with strong attention to detail.
- Experience creating digital content such as stories, reels, carousels using applications such as Canva, Instagram etc.
- Experience creating digital content such as stories, reels, carousels using applications such as Canva, Instagram etc.
- People skills - talking to others and inviting them to visit the sustainability booth is a big part of the role.
- Time management and self-motivation.
- Willingness to attend in-person sustainability events and promote them to the Ontario Tech community.
- Willingness to learn about sustainability concepts and educate others.
Outcomes
- Earn volunteer hours that can be used to apply for a WWF Living Planet Leader Certificate.
- Gain an understanding of community and global sustainability concepts.
- Gain skills such a leadership, project management, and event organization.
- Opportunity to visit the campus farm and build your network.
- Receive recognition as a sustainability leader on campus.
- Receive recognition for your involvement on the Student Experience Record.
Contact information
Application process
- Informal group interview will take place the first week of February in-person.