Dr. Airini's academic and professional background

  • Holds a BA and MEd from the University of Canterbury, an MBA from Massey University, and a Diploma in Teaching from the former Christchurch Teachers College. She completed a certificate in te reo Māori from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
  • Holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of British Columbia.
  • Served as TRU’s Dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Work (2014–2018), where she helped launch the internationally renowned Knowledge Makers program, and the pan-university Coyote Project.
  • Most recently, served as Provost and Vice-President Academic at the University of Saskatchewan, a member of the U15 group of Canadian research universities.

In government and international roles, Dr. Airini has contributed to education reform, equity policy, and Indigenous success strategies. She currently advises the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization on global education access and innovation.
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“I come to this role with deep gratitude and a simple intention: to listen well, to serve wisely, and to work beside you to shape the future of TRU.” — Dr. Airini
President and Vice-Chancellor TRU

About Dr. Airini Deeply Committed to Education

Dr. Airini brings a deep commitment to inclusive education, academic excellence, and community service. She came to Canada as an international student, is a national award-winning educator and researcher, Fulbright Scholar, and a leader with experience across academic, government, and global agencies.

Academic and Professional Background
Dr. Airini

Presidential Installation of Dr. Airini

In an emotion-filled ceremony recognizing culture, tradition and the future, Dr. Airini was formally installed as Thompson Rivers University’s fifth president and vice-chancellor.

Read more about the installation Watch the full installation

At the core of Airini’s vision

People

Recognizing the contributions and potential of students, faculty, staff and community partners.

Purpose

Ensuring TRU remains a place where education transforms lives, where ideas grow and where everyone belongs.

Possibility

Leading TRU into its next chapter with openness to change, confidence in its identity and respect for its roots in Secwépemcúl’ecw.

President's reports

The President’s Report provides an update on executive priorities, delivered to the Board of Governors during its regularly scheduled meetings and shared on this site for the TRU community and public.

Reports from September 2019 to present are available below.

2025 Reports
2024 Reports
2023 Reports
2022 Reports
2021 Reports
2020 Reports
Other Reports

Tenure and promotion

The award of tenure is an important milestone in any faculty member’s career. It is not awarded lightly. Similarly, promotion in academic rank is also only granted after a thorough collegial assessment process.

The following faculty members have been awarded tenure or promotion. Congratulations to all of them and best wishes for continued success.

2024 Tenure Announcements 2024 Promotions
2023 Tenure Announcements 2023 Promotions
2022 Tenure Announcements 2022 Promotions
2021 Tenure Announcements 2021 Promotions
2020 Tenure Announcements 2020 Promotions
TRU Building

Statement on Academic Freedom

Academic freedom is fundamental to teaching, learning and inquiry at a university. It permits scholars, and hence universities, to pursue and advance knowledge, which serves society. At TRU, academic freedom is protected and practised every day, guided by academia's principles and ethics, which are given concrete form in agreements between TRU and its faculty.

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Future Student Ambassadors

Thompson Rivers University campuses are on the ancestral lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwepemcúl̓ecw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. The region TRU serves also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot'in, Dakelh, and Syilx peoples.

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