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MACLeads

Welcome – Karibu – Wamukelekile – Akwaaba

group of students

The McMaster African and Caribbean Leadership Exchange (MACLeads) program is part of the Global Skills Opportunity pilot program that is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada. MACLeads was developed by a multi-disciplinary team of African and Caribbean faculty based at McMaster University who saw the need for students from all faculties across campus to enhance their education with holistic and non-traditional international experiences. The program increases access to undergraduate students who have historically faced barriers to participating in global exchange initiatives due to lack of awareness and funds, non-targeted outreach, and/or lack of culturally relevant opportunities. Such historically under-represented groups include low income, first-generation, differently-abled, Indigenous, Black, LatinX and other racialized students. MACLeads thus affords diverse undergraduate students with experiential learning opportunities through work/study placements in the Global South. 

By focusing on the Global South (African and Caribbean countries), MACLeads is diversifying the destination countries typically made available to students through international work/study opportunities. MACLeads allows Mac students to widen and challenge narrow perspectives of the Global South; and for some students, MACLeads offers unique opportunities to interact with and learn from global leaders who look like them. The MACLeads team partners with various stakeholders across the university to develop targeted recruitment methods, and ensure that program wrap-around supports and curriculum are tailored to the needs, abilities and interests of diverse students. 

Student placements will be virtual until travel is safe with regards to Covid-19 restrictions.