Perspectives on the role of the urban university and the development and implementation of team leadership programs are presented. It is suggested that the urban metropolis is a part of the university's mission, and is an extremely complex network of institutional structures, and human resources. The university can respond to urban needs by developing team leadership programs. To function successfully as a change agent to improve the quality of life in the urban complex, new forms of leadership are needed, including the use of project teams and task forces. Team leadership groups enable people to take various roles; to identify with the adaptive and change process, and to develop an ability to modify their commitments as needs arise. Through the support of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, a team leadership development program for faculty and administrators was designed and implemented at the University of Akron, Ohio, to help promote its urban mission and to serve as a model for other urban universities. The program activities included full-day classes, task forces, internships, resource groups, breakfast forums, and a retreat. The initial focus was intergroup interaction and communication (listening, awareness, and understanding), and later emphasis was directed to understanding the structure and dynamics of university organization and operations. Task force recommendations were presented to the university president, and participants are actively involved in implementing recommendations. Internships provided participants the opportunity to work in a problem-solving activity that transcended departmental and disciplinary lines. Additionally, both formative and summative evaluations are conducted. (SW)