Located in the spectacular, unceded territory of the Secwépemc people in Kamloops, B.C., Thompson Rivers University is one of the largest employers. TRU leadership is committed to academic excellence, research and innovation, sustainability and Indigenization. Offering a wide range of program — from trades to master’s degrees — and a variety of learning options — from in-person to online — TRU puts thousands of students every year on their path forward.
With a vision based on what the Secwépemc people call Kw̓seltktnéws (we are all related and interconnected with nature, each other and all things), TRU provides an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone has a strong sense of belonging and finds their path forward, their way.
Established in 1970, Thompson Rivers University has grown from humble beginnings as a community college to a full-fledged research university with values of inclusion and diversity, community-mindedness, curiosity and sustainability.
TRU is situated on Secwepemcúl̓ecw, the traditional territory of the Secwépemc people. The main campus is located in Kamloops, in the heart of the B.C. Interior in Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc territory, with a second campus to the northwest, in Williams Lake, the traditional territory of the T̓éxelc. TRU also delivers programs in regional centres in 100 Mile House, Lillooet, Lytton, Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Barriere, Clearwater and Chase, and worldwide through its Open Learning division.
TRU is a member of the Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia and has six Canada Research Chairs, an NSERC Industrial Research Chair, three endowed research chairs and a Northcote and Brink Professorship. Students are encouraged, even in their undergraduate years, to fuel their curiosity and conduct their own research.
Most recently, the university partnered with the BC Wildfire Service in establishing TRU Wildfire, an initiative that intertwines research, education, training and innovation so that they all share in their discoveries and knowledge to tackle a pressing, global issue.
They choose from 140 on-campus programs or 60 online programs and gain practical experience through co-op work-terms, study abroad opportunities, undergraduate research, field schools, practicums and service learning, with the guidance of accessible faculty. This is a diverse and inclusive university, with 10 per cent of students being Indigenous and nearly 25 per cent coming from 122 countries around the globe.
After more than 50 years of providing education that opens doors to new careers, TRU still maintains its roots with its School of Trades and Technology, while having expanded to six faculties and two other schools. Recently constructed buildings include the Chappell Family Building for Nursing and Population Health, with state-of-the-art simulation learning facilities, and a new Early Childhood Education Centre that integrates a working day care with space for students and researchers.
An annual budget of $309.7 million allows TRU to put students first, while looking ahead and planning to meet future needs and demands. New buildings and programs are in the planning stages as Thompson Rivers University continues to grow, to thrive and to move forward.
TRU has launched the search for its next Dean, Faculty of Science. Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President Academic, the Dean serves as the faculty's chief academic and administrative leader, providing strategic vision and leadership in support of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and service.
McDermott & Bull has been retained to support the search. To learn more about the opportunity, please visit here.
