Dream It. Believe It. Achieve It.
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The Lakehead University Achievement Program helps students to see postsecondary education as a possible, accessible, and achievable. Beginning in Grade 4, students are connected to Lakehead University through programming that build confidence, belonging, academic success, community involvement, and an understanding of future education and career pathways. The Achievement Program is housed within Lakehead Athletics because sport and recreation create a welcoming and accessible entry point to the university. For many students, stepping onto a university campus for the first time can feel unfamiliar or intimidating and Athletics provides a welcoming, familiar, and low-pressure way to connect with the university through movement, play, and shared experiences. These experiences help students build relationships, feel a sense of belonging, and begin to see Lakehead as a place where they can learn, grow, and pursue their future goals
"It’s about giving young people the opportunity to realize their dreams."
How the Program Works:
Lakehead University partners with local and regional school boards to enrol equity deserving students in grade four who face barriers to postsecondary education. Students continue with the program until grade twelve, and have annual opportunities to earn financial support by completing specific requirements at their school, community and with Lakehead University.
Upon completion of a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate, the accrued financial support will fund each participant's first year at Lakehead University (to the equivalent of first year tuition and ancillary fees to an undergraduate program). Participants can also use this financial support for other education-related expenses.
In addition to meeting specific annual requirements, students and their families are also provided with year-round programming and support. The Achievement Program helps students build confidence and provides them with the tools to pursue their dreams.
Read the 2025/26 Newsletter
"The Achievement Program has been like a family to me, everyone is so inclusive. It helped me as a high school student to become more involved with the university, having friendly faces that work with the university have been very helpful for navigating the new campus and courses. Being apart of the Achievement Program has encouraged me to partake in events around the university as a current university student.”
- Nevaeh Rae, Professional Year 1 Education & Completion of Indigenous Transition Year Program (May 2023)
“I didn’t realize I wanted to be a nurse until the Achievement Program let me see first hand what it was like,” she says. “I’d always been interested in science and biology and I thought it was cool that nursing could knit these fields together with my love of caring for others.” - Camryn Williams, First Lakehead University Graduate (May 2025)
Your support of the Achievement Program ensures Lakehead University can provide access to post-secondary education, as well as provide students with yearly programming that builds the confidence and skills needed to achieve academic success on their educational journey.
Through early engagement and encouragement of regular academic, recreational and community engagement, school and family-based support systems, and a familiarity with Lakehead University from an early age, our hope is that students in our program will perceive post-secondary education as achievable and accessible.
Participating Students and their Families are Provided with:
Mentorship
The Achievement Program will assist in providing student athletes, Lakehead students and Achievement Program alumni as mentors for in-school and on-campus events to continue to build long term relationships and community with our students and their families.
Financial Literacy & Pathway Sessions
To provide families and students with additional support, the Achievement Program, in collaboration with Lakehead University offers sessions that include, but is not limited to the following:
- Career & Undergraduate Pathway Exploration
- Financial Support information (OSAP, bursaries, etc.)
- Application assistance
- Overview of student support services on campus - Student Central, Student Success, Indigenous Cultural Support Services, Student Accessibility, etc.
Yearly Programming
The Achievement Program arranges for athlete mentors, Lakehead student staff and Achievement Program alumni to provide hands-on activities to students enrolled in the program at their school twice a year. This allows for continuous connection with the students and Lakehead University. In addition, students and their families will be invited to our special Day on Campus each year along with other special events.
The Day on Campus provides students with a day filled with recreational, educational and cultural programming on campus. Students will have the opportunity to meet various athletes, professors and staff who will provide hands-on programming in a variety of areas.
Achievement Program Donor Impact Report
Please use the button below to view the 2023-2024 Impact Report for Lakehead University’s Achievement Program. The information in this report demonstrates the importance of investing in youth and creating year-round opportunities for personal and academic growth. Thank you for your commitment.
Read the 2024/2025 Donor Impact Report
Achievement Program Video:
Achievement Program Statistics
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