The TRU Leaders Initiative (TLIY) is a two-day event students age ranges from 18-23 are invited to join the 2024 College Entrepreneurship Student Cohort lead by The Malmberg Center for the Advancement of Higher Learning, the Arts and Sciences. At this event, students from across North America will discover, together, what it means to be successful conscious entrepreneurs as they learn how to define problems, devise solutions for impact, identify opportunities to affect change, and turn their ideas into action. With an environment designed to boost leadership skills that will change lives and communities. This program was started to help shape today’s youth in becoming tomorrow’s leaders.

We accept teens between the ages of 18 to 23 years-old. Roles include.

There is a program fee of $397 USD which covers the cost of event admission and all program materials. An Early Bird discount ($100 off) will be applied to those who submit their online application before August 13, 2024. There is no fee for volunteers and support roles. All payments are nonrefundable after June 15, 2024.

TLIY 2024 will take place September 21-22, 2024 at a location to be announced.

There are four simple steps:

Step 1: All participants and volunteers are required to complete an on line application first. Upon submitting your on line application, you should receive a confirmation email with instructions for Step 2 of the application process. If you do not receive this email, your application is considered incomplete and has not been submitted. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at [email protected].

Step 2: Complete interview. Your confirmation email will provide specific instructions on how to complete your interview. Interviews are conducted through phone or Zoom.

Step 3: Once all these items have been received and reviewed, you will be contacted within 14 days regarding the status of your application.

Step 4: If/when accepted you will receive instructions to complete payment and registration. Payment and registration must be completed to secure your spot.

Youth Application Requirements:

1. A letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor, community leader or coach, ​from ​someone ​outside of your immediate family, and someone who has not ​previously participated in TYLI. The letter should not be from your parent, guardian, or friend.

2. Able to provide proof of Identification and age (e.g. a photo ID that has your birth date listed).

3. Completed at least 20 hours of community service in the past year and able to provide proof.

4. Complete a Zoom video interview (to be scheduled once the online application has been submitted)

Adult Volunteer Application Requirements:

1. A letter of recommendation from a colleague that can speak on your past experience and qualifications. This letter can be from someone within a work place, or community.

2. Able to provide proof of Identification and age (e.g. a photo ID that has your birth date listed).

3. Available for pre-event training and the entire duration of the event

4. Completed a Zoom video interview (to be scheduled after online application is reviewed)

5. Passed a Background check, if selected. Instructions will be provided on how to complete once accepted.  

6. Completion of Darkness to Light Certification training course on preventing child abuse. Instructions will be provided on how to complete once accepted.

7. Additional forms as requested upon acceptance and must be completed prior to the event.

Our role for first time teen participants must be between the ages of 18-23 at the start of TLIY 2024 to qualify.

Yes, we require all applicants to reapply every event for the role you wish to be in.

TLIY Letter of Recommendations MUST:

Be from someone outside of your immediate family, outside the Tru Leadership environments. This can be a teacher, mentor, school counselor or coach. It should be someone who has never attended the TLIY program.

Be typed on an official letterhead Include contact information and title/position of author

Be dated in current year

The phone interview will be a 10-15 minute conversation with a staff team member from The Tru Leader Initiative. Interviews can take place over the phone or on line via Zoom. The goal of the interview is to learn more about you, why you want to attend TLIY and what your goals are for the Initiative. You do not need to practice – just relax and be yourself!

Once you have submitted your on line application and completed your interview, please allow up to 2 weeks or otherwise noted between steps for us to contact you. We receive many applications and emails daily and do our best update you in the timeliest manner possible.