Update from the President #2 — Listening, Acting, and Connecting August 2025
Weyt-kp and warm greetings to colleagues across our community. As we move through summer, I’d like to share updates about recent activities and developments at TRU. I continue to genuinely appreciate the informal conversations we have been having, with some laughter, a lot of listening, and the sharing of encouragement each day as I visit around TRU and online.
Senate Materials
One of the responsibilities I hold is chair of Senate. I believe the deliberations, advice and decisions of the Senate are at the heart of what it means to be, and become, all that we have been called to be as Thompson Rivers University. Thank you to the committee chairs and members, senators, and support team for your vital service to our university.
Recognizing the importance of transparency, I have reinstated early access to Senate agenda materials. Beginning with the first meeting in September, all reports and documents included in the Senate agenda will be made available to the TRU community and the public one whole week in advance.
In addition, prior to Senate, I will be available to the media to discuss items of particular interest to TRU and answer questions. Following the meeting, we will share news on our website about the outcomes from Senate.
This shift supports open governance and increases the opportunity for us all to engage with the ideas, proposals and decisions shaping TRU’s future. I believe transparency further strengthens our connections to parents, caregivers, community members, businesses, students and leaders; and our ability to move forward as One University.
Honours College Update
After careful reflection, I have paused funding for the TRU Honours College for up to two years due to budget reasons. This will enable reflection on how to further strengthen the business model for the TRU Honours College. Pausing now before the program starts minimizes the impact on students.
There is undoubtedly disappointment amongst the Honours College team and the broader community. My reflection from recent meetings with our colleagues is that we all can be impressed by the continuing passion for a unique cohort model geared for exceptional student success. Alongside this is an openness to now adapting to our wider university budget challenges. The commitment remains to an approach to learning that is beyond generic models in Higher Education, and that is inclusive and innovative.
My thanks to the Honours College team, who are already turning their attention to the balance between academic principles, a sustainable business model, and a complementary marketing plan. Planning meetings will begin shortly.
University Relations Reorganization
During July, the University Relations teams have been actively participating in discussions about optimal arrangements to support their talents and contributions to TRU and associated leadership arrangements. I am genuinely appreciative of our colleagues in Marketing, Advancement, Communications, Events, and Government Relations for the open, courageous discussions.
As of August 1:
- Oversight of the University Relations network is a combined effort between the President and two existing Vice-Presidents.
- Advancement and Events now report to the Vice-President of Finance and Administration.
- Government Relations reports to the President.
- Marketing moves to report to the Vice-President of International.
- Communications initially reports to the Vice-President International, and will transition to the President’s Office, later this year, once positions in that Office have been finalized.
We expect the ongoing arrangements to be fully operative by November 2025. Updates regarding associated role titles and arrangements will be shared with the university community during this transition period.
TRU’s University Relations services continue to be available through usual channels. The University Relations network will meet regularly, ensuring shared planning, collaboration, and cohesion across unit lines.
Our goal is to further strengthen University Relations services grounded in clarity of purpose, contributing directly and creatively to building our Future TRU, and providing leadership in shared services across our university.
Introducing TRU Talks with President Airini
I’m excited to launch TRU Talks with President Airini — a new series of monthly, informal gatherings open to all students, faculty, and staff. These sessions offer space to ask questions, share ideas, and strengthen our community through conversation. The first session will be held today (Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Student Street in Old Main, TRU Kamloops).
Today I will be sharing about my vision for Future TRU and seeking input on my initial priorities. For more information on these please do visit here. We’ll also host future sessions at TRU Williams Lake and online. Please feel welcome to stop by today and for future TRU Talks with President Airini. I look forward to meeting, listening and talking together.
Since my last update …
…I’ve had the privilege of listening, learning, and walking alongside many of us — on campus, in community, online and across the province. Highlights include a full-day planning session with the TRU Executive Team, partnership discussions with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and T’exelc, and early planning for September’s Senate with our Steering Committee Chair. I also met with Indigenous faculty and staff to discuss future Indigenous leadership roles and took part in an Indigenous citizenship meeting.
On campus, I visited the Andrew Sherry Plumbing Lab and our technology facilities and connected with TRU leaders across key portfolios. I met with Dr. Yasin Mamatjan and students advancing AI research to improve health outcomes, an inspiring example of TRU innovation. I also had the honour of attending the Shad banquet, closing 27 days of learning for young people hosted by the Faculty of Science and School of Trades and Technology. It was a sad honour to join with colleagues and students at the shared funeral where we farewelled two TRU students.
Whether in Victoria for donor meetings, working with colleagues on organisational changes, or chatting together about our summer highlights, gardens, (yes) the weather, and our hopes for our future TRU, I am reminded daily that we come to TRU because we know that ‘we’ is greater than ‘I’. There is so much good that we do through our use-inspired research and education that is applied to challenges in Interior BC and contributes to global futures.
Kukwstsétsemc,
Airini
Professor of Education
President and Vice-Chancellor
Thompson Rivers University
