Connection Collective

Find your community with Connection Collective

Calling all equity-deserving undergraduate and graduate students looking to connect with other equity-deserving students! Rooted in intersectionality, Connection Collective creates spaces for building friendships across race, gender, sexuality, disability, body size, neurodivergence and socio-economic background.

This inclusive, equity-centred community is open to all students, with a focus on those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and other equity-deserving groups.

Whether you are new to campus or returning, Connection Collective has space to be seen, supported and celebrated. Build community and grow together.

What can I expect as a Connection Collective member?

Connection Collective is a group mentorship program; we do not make matches between mentor and mentee, but rather, the team of upper-year students mentor participants as a community. When you register you will be connected to a team of trained mentors called “Connection Leads” through an online forum, a messaging system that rotates bi-weekly, and group gatherings. Once registered, you will be added to an online forum. This forum will feature channels for sharing resources, asking questions and scheduling meetups and event sign-ups.

Group of students enjoying lunch together on campus

Phase 1: Connect (fall term)

Meet new people, explore resources and start building your campus community!

Join our online platform, access curated resources, be included in a messaging system to connect directly with Connection Leads and see our bi-weekly meetup schedule (think cozy chats, themed hangouts and fun activities).

Phase 2: Build (winter term)

Strengthen your connections and get personalized support. Winter term includes ongoing platform engagement, continued bi-weekly meetups and the addition of drop-in hours and appointments, one on one with Connection Leads.

two students holding a Connection Collective sign

Three students at a Connection Collective booth on campus

Phase 3: Act (spring term)

Connection Leads are still here to chat and our bi-weekly meetups are still going strong. But now, we’re kicking things up a notch with workshops and initiatives focused on equity and social justice.

It’s all about putting what we’ve learned into action! Take what you've learned in the program and apply to be Connection Leads in the next cycle.

It's been refreshing to see how passionate people can be towards social justice issues, as well as issues related to our UW campus. Things that I have never paid much attention about too, like accessibility issues both on campus and online, that learning was made possible through my CL peers

Karen, Connection Lead, 3rd year Science Student

Karen, Connection Lead, 3rd year science student

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I register for Connection Collective?

Because Connection Collective is more than a mentorship program; it is a vibrant, equity-centred community, designed for students by students who understand the intersectional impacts of navigating campus life with multi-faceted identities. Whether you’re looking to make friends, find support, or grow into a leadership role, this program offers a consistent, welcoming space to connect with others who “get it.”

What does equity-deserving mean?

The Connection Collective is designed with students in mind who are actively navigating and shaping their experiences within systems that have not always reflected or supported their full identities. We use the term equity-deserving to describe individuals and communities who are building power, claiming space, and advocating for equity on their own terms.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Black, Indigenous, and other racialized individuals
Members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
Women and gender-diverse individuals
Disabled and chronically ill individuals
Neurodivergent people
Those from low-income or working-class backgrounds
Individuals who practice diverse cultural and/or religious traditions
People in larger bodies
Anyone whose lived experience includes the intersection of these or other identity-based realities.
This definition is intentionally expansive and non-exhaustive. The Connection Collective is open to all students, with a focus on creating space for those whose voices, leadership, and lived wisdom are essential to building a more inclusive campus community.

Are international students invited to join the Connection Collective?

International students are highly encouraged to participate. Adjusting to a new country, culture and academic environment can be a lot all at once. Connection Collective offers a supportive space where you can connect with others who understand that journey. Many Connection Leads are international students themselves and bring lived experience, insight and care.

If you're wondering whether this program would be a fit for you or if you have any questions, please reach out to Tara Kleinsteuber, Student Equity Programs Specialist.