High School & Community Educators
You play an essential role in guiding students through their post-secondary journey. At TRU, we are committed to working alongside you to ensure students have the information, support, and resources they need to succeed.
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You’ll receive monthly newsletters highlighting important dates, events, admission deadlines and need to know information.
Session Descriptions
Student Recruitment and Enrolment Updates
Led by Kyri Alves, Manager of Domestic Student Recruitment, this session provides a high level look at TRU’s new students and the lessons learned from the past year. You’ll receive essential updates on admissions, applications, and program changes for Fall 2026—along with practical information to share with your students as they prepare for their transition to TRU.
Keynote & Workshop: Guiding Students in an AI World: Tools and Insights for Counsellors, Teachers, and Administrators
AI is no longer a future concept, it is already reshaping how students learn, apply to schools, and prepare for their careers. In this session, participants will gain a clear, plain-language overview of generative AI and how students are using it today, from study support to scholarship essays. We will explore how colleges and universities are adapting admissions and classroom practices in the AI era, and what these changes mean for course selection, academic integrity, and student transitions. Building on this big-picture context, the session will then move into practical application: participants will explore how commonly used generative AI tools can support students with scholarship preparation, career exploration, labour market insights, and interview practice.
About the speaker: Adina Gray, MBA, is a faculty member in the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics at Thompson Rivers University and the founder of PurpleOwl AI. She is an internationally recognized speaker and trainer who specializes in making generative AI accessible and practical for educators and professionals. With over 20 years in post-secondary education, Adina has delivered keynotes and workshops across Canada, the U.S., and Europe, helping schools and organizations prepare students for success in an AI-driven world.
Choice of Breakout Session
Accessibility Documentation Demystified: From High School to University
Join TRU’s Accessibility Services team for an interactive session on supporting students with diverse needs as they transition to university. Through real case studies and practical scenarios, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the supports available at TRU and how you can help students start off strong. Bring your questions and examples from your own work—this hands-on session is designed to give you practical strategies you can take back to your school.
Career Exploration and Labour Market Insights
Facilitated by Larry Iles, M.Ed., Certified Career Development Professional (CCDP) and Experiential Learning Coordinator in TRU’s Career & Experiential Learning Department, this session highlights current labour market trends and strategies for guiding students in career exploration. The insights shared will be especially valuable for those teaching or supporting BC Career Life Education (CLE) and Career Life Connections (CLC) curriculum, offering fresh perspectives and resources that can enrich classroom learning and help students connect curriculum outcomes to real-world opportunities.
| 8:15 a.m. | Coffee, Snacks & Check-In |
| 8:45 a.m. | Kickoff & Welcome |
| 9:15 a.m. | Student Recruitment & Enrolment Services Updates |
| 10:30 a.m. | Morning Break |
| 10:45 a.m. | Keynote & Workshop: Guiding Students in the Age of AI |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch & Networking |
| 1:40 p.m. | Afternoon Breakout Session (your choice) |
| 2:50 p.m. | Closing & Prizes |
2025-2026 Important Updates
Applying to Majors
Students can now apply directly to a major for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Tourism Management.
Flexible Entry Pathway & Exploratory Studies
Through TRU’s flexible entry pathway, students can begin their university studies while upgrading missing admission requirements. Applicants will apply to their desired program and our admissions team will evaluate their admissions pathway. Once admitted, students are supported by Central Academic Advising to create a first-year plan that balances program courses with the required upgrading. Most students complete their missing requirements within their first 24 to 30 credits while progressing toward their degree or diploma.
Our exploratory studies pathway allows students to take up to 24 credits of undergraduate coursework without being in a specific certificate, diploma, or degree program. There are no general or program specific admission requirements, just course prerequisites.
TRU Wildfire
At the heart of our partnership with the BC Wildfire Service, TRU Wildfire integrates research, education, training and innovation to create solutions for a changing world. We recently launched 4 new certificates and 1 diploma. Visit tru.ca/wildfire for more information.
Changes to Guaranteed Housing
First-year students coming directly from high school are guaranteed housing if they apply by May 1, 2026. Applications will open mid-march. Applications received after the deadline will be first-come, first-served. www.tru.ca/housing
All students who have applied to TRU and indicated an interest in on campus housing on their application will be notified when the applications open.
Students DO NOT need an admissions decision to apply for housing but do need an active application to TRU to apply.
Meet your Future Student Advisor
Future Student Advisors are your primary point of contact at TRU. Each advisor supports specific regions and schools across BC and Canada, ensuring you and your students receive personalized guidance.
Your advisor can help you navigate admission requirements, application processes, deadlines, and student supports—and is your go-to resource for those hard-to-find answers.
We know how important your role is in guiding students to post-secondary, and we make it a priority to respond quickly to your calls and emails. If you haven’t connected with your TRU Advisor yet, now is the perfect time.
Qelmúcw (Indigenous) Future Students Advisors
Primary contact for: Students who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, Inuit).
Including transfer students, direct from high school, and students applying from out of province.
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Sammie Hanson (she/her)
shanson@tru.ca | 250-852-7642
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Niki Mahon (they/them)
nmahon@tru.ca | 250-371-5712
Future Students Advisors
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Alina Sopizhuk (she/her)
asopizhuk@tru.ca | 250-371-5983
Primary contact for:
Transfer students: Canadian/Permanent Resident students who’s most recent school is a post secondary institution (college, university, polytechnic).
Kamloops/SD 73 Schools:
NorKam Secondary,
Barrier Secondary,
Clearwater Secondary,
Brocklehurst Secondary -
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Gaby Sandhu (she/her)
gsandhu@tru.ca | 250-828-5157
Primary contact for: Lower Mainland, Sea to Sky, Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island
Kamloops/SD 73 Schools:
Valleyview Secondary,
Kamloops School of the Arts,
Chase Secondary,
Logan Lake Secondary,
School District 58 (Merritt Secondary and Princeton Secondary)
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Amy Ulrich (she/they)
aulrich@tru.ca | 250-828-5008
Primary contact for: Northern BC & students applying to TRU from out of province. If transferring from out of province or previous education is a post secondary institution, please contact Alina Sopizhuk, Transfer Advisor.
Kamloops and Regional Schools:
Westsyde Secondary,
Sa-hali Secondary,
@Kool School
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Samiul Khan (he/him)
sakhan@tru.ca | 250-828-5157
Primary contact for: Okanagan, Kootenay/Boundary
Kamloops and regional schools:
South Kamloops Secondary,
St.Ann’s Academy
School District 83: A.L Fortune, Eagle Rivers Secondary, Pleasant Valley Secondary and Salmon Arm Secondary
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Kyri Alves (she/her)
kalves@tru.ca | 250-828-5013
Manager, Student Recruitment & Future Students Office
Indigenous Handbook
Who Can Help You?
Future Students Office
- Program exploration
- Application process and status
- General TRU questions
- Campus vists
- School visits and events
The Welcome Centre
943 College Drive
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday to Friday
futurestudents@tru.ca
250-828-5006
Academic Advising
- Contact after you have accepted your offer
- Develop and maintain academic plan
- Academic policies and regulations
TRU Year at a Glance 2025-2026
OCTOBER
Oct 1 – Applications open tru.ca/apply | tru.ca/transcripts
Oct 18 – TRU Open House
DECEMBER
Dec 1 – Scholarship and awards applications open tru.ca/entrance | awards@tru.ca
Offers of admission for fall 2026 begin early December
JANUARY
Jan 31 – Bachelor of Science in Nursing application deadline
FEBRUARY
Feb 1 – Respiratory Therapy Diploma application deadline
Feb 1 – Veterinary Technology Diploma application deadline
MARCH
Mar 1 – Entrance Scholarship application deadline
Mid-March – On Campus Housing applications open
Mar 28 – Admitted Student Event (date TBD)
APRIL
Apr 1 – Entrance Awards application deadline
MAY
May 1 – Program application deadline for fall 2026. Some programs may continue to accept applications if space permits. tru.ca/programs
May 1 – Guaranteed housing application deadline for first year direct from high school students. tru.ca/housing
May 23 – Deadline to accept admissions offer for priority course registration
May 31 – Assurance Bursary application deadline
End of – Course schedule available for course planning
JUNE
Early June – Course registration opens for fall and winter
