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TRU Career and Experiential Learning team

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  Shawn Read
  Chair of Career & Experiential Learning Department
  Career Services Coordinator
  250-371-5669

  Biography

  Shawn’s career at the university began in 2003. As a tenured faculty member in the Career and Experiential Learning department, he has worked in Career Services and the Co-operative Education program. Shawn is actively engaged provincially and nationally in the experiential learning field and served as a National Director and President of the Canadian Association for Career Educators and Employers. He is very passionate about experiential learning in the post- secondary system and has continued to work on expanding these opportunities for students.

  Shawn is one of the longest serving Chairs on campus and has helped the department to acquire national accreditation of the Co-op Educational program. He is very interested in Chair leadership and was the creator of the Chair Leaderships Group and Chair Leadership Award.

  Outside of work, Shawn is an avid hiker and enjoys being in the mountains. He has travelled throughout the world and enjoys these adventures with his family and friends.

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  Larry Iles
  Experiential Learning Coordinator (a.k.a Career Jedi)
  250-371-5692

  Biography

  Bachelor of Arts Honours | Double major in Social Psychology and US History | Carleton University
  Bachelor of Education | Elementary Education | University of British Columbia
  Master of Adult Education | Career Development | University of Calgary

  Larry is an award winning Career Jedi. He has an extensive education and leadership portfolio that he has applied throughout his 22 years at TRU, all within Career and Experiential Learning. Larry works one-on-one with students and alumni, providing valuable career knowledge and career development support. Larry has said  “My favourite moment working with students is when they have an experience and really connect it to their personal career development-and as a result, have this fantastic clarity about themselves and next steps. This happens so often when working with 1000’s of  students in the career counselling model.”

   

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  Jamie Noakes
  Business Co-op Coordinator
  250-377-6115

  Biography

  Bachelor of Arts – Thompson Rivers University
  Masters of Environmental Studies – Lakehead University

  Jamie’s post-secondary career began with the Career and Experiential Learning Department in 2009. Over the years, she has taught within many Co-op programs and worked with BBA, Environmental Science, Computer Science, and Tourism students. Prior to working in post-secondary, Jamie gained management experience within both the tourism and hospitality management industries where she developed a keen interest in Human Resource Management. In 2019, Jamie joined the Central Interior CPHR advisory council where she focusses on developing further connections between post-secondary and CPHR. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys spending time at her cabin with her family, and socializing with friends.

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  Sarah Gibson
  Arts, Sciences, Natural Resource Sciences, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Tourism Management Co-op Coordinator
  250-828-5151

  Biography

  Master’s of Arts – International and Intercultural Communication - Royal Roads University

  Bachelor’s of Arts – Communication - Simon Fraser University

  Post Baccalaureate - Teaching English as a Second Language – Thompson Rivers University

  Sarah has over 20 years of professional experience in public, private, and non-profit sectors. She has worked in BC post-secondary education since 2005 and has been faculty at TRU for ten years - teaching in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Student Development. Sarah is currently the Co-op Coordinator for Sciences, Arts, and Tourism and has extensive experience in Co-op and Career Education. She has been a Co-op Student, Co-op Ambassador, Co-op Employer, and a Co-op Coordinator. Before working in education, Sarah had a career in communications and marketing. Sarah earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Communication from Simon Fraser University, received her Post Baccalaureate for Teaching English as a Second Language from Thompson Rivers University, and completed her Master’s of Arts in International and Intercultural Communication from Royal Roads University.

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  Tara Bond
  Career Services Coordinator
  250-377-0621

  Biography

  Tara Bond (she/her)
  Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology – Lakehead University
  Masters of Teaching – Griffith University

  Tara Bond began her career with the Career and Experiential Learning Department in 2017. She worked as a Co-operative Education Coordinator and is currently working as a Career Services Coordinator. Tara is the Faculty lead for the Career Ambassadors through the Career and Experiential Learning Department and Marketing team representative. Before working in post-secondary education, Tara was a Primary Teacher and Employment Services Specialist.
  
  She received a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Honours) from Lakehead University and completed her Master’s of Teaching from Griffith University.
  
  Tara believes in the importance of cultivating and sustaining strong working relationships with members of the community. Outside of work, Tara enjoys the outdoors, traveling, exploring, baking and cooking. She loves spending quality time with her adventurous family and friends.

   

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  Jenn Mei
  Accessibility Experiential Learning Coordinator
  250-828-5138

  Biography

  Jennifer Mei is a Social Worker and Masters of Social Work student with over a decade's worth of experience working with people with disabilities.

  
  

  The majority of her experience has been as a career practitioner in the context of vocational rehabilitation and employment counselling. Jennifer is passionate and committed to equity, diversity and inclusion work, and her approach comes from a desire to learn from and empower marginalized populations.

  
  

  In a post-secondary context, Jennifer has worked as an Accessibility Services Advisor at Thompson Rivers University. In this position, she worked with students with disabilities who required academic accommodations in a classroom or exam setting. Currently, Jennifer is in the role of Accessibility Experiential Learning Coordinator in the TRU Career and Experiential Learning Department. In this capacity, she has been engaging with students, faculty, and employers to better understand how TRU can support students with disabilities in transitioning to a career and experiential learning environment. Over the past few months, Jennifer has been working diligently to develop an anti-oppressive framework for service provision and development of resources.

  
  

  Jennifer is a down-to-earth humorous person who enjoys meeting new people. You can usually find her socializing, taking in live music, shooting bows and arrows and spending time with family. She only uses her full name in professional documents, such as bios, so if you get a chance to meet her, please feel free to call her Jenn.

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  Robline (Robbi) Davey
  Indigenous Experiential Learning Coordinator
  250-828-5461

  Biography

  Master of Education (TRU)
  Bachelor of Arts (UBC)

  Robbi has been at TRU since 2011, working primarily in Open Learning in online education and supporting Indigenous initiatives across campus.  

  As the Indigenous Experiential Learning Coordinator, her initiatives make space for Indigenous students and strengthen relationships with campus and community organizations to create pathways for employment transitions. 
  Robbi is currently working towards a doctorate at SFU, spends her spare time with her son and volunteers as a women’s rep for the Métis community in Kamloops.

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  Carly Royer
  Career & Experiential Learning Assistant
  250-371-5680

  Biography

  Carly began her career at TRU in 2003. She worked as an auxiliary staff member for eight years, which allowed her to learn many different positions and meet many nice people. Carly began as an auxiliary member in Career and Experiential Learning for about three years for various staff members. She has now been a career education assistant since 2011. When she’s not at work, Carly enjoys fitness classes and going for walks in the evening. She especially loves spring and summer when she and her family can spend time camping, or sit on the deck and enjoy a glass of wine.

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  Jackie Mullen
  Career & Experiential Learning Assistant
  250-371-5627

  Biography

  Jackie has been an employee with TRU since 1984. Jackie has worked in the Library, Finance, Computer LRC, Trades LRC, Print Shop, the Faculty of Arts, and Career and Experiential Learning, which she joined in the summer of 2016. Her extensive experience has made her an extremely valued employee and CEL is lucky to have her. Jackie enjoys working and connecting with people, family time, traveling, exploring, hiking, photography, cooking and teaching dance!

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  Misty Antoine
  Career & Experiential Learning Program Assistant
  250-828-5276

  Biography

  Misty, Secwépemc/St’át’imc from Bonaparte First Nation, is a familiar face on campus to some as she has been at TRU for 11 years in various roles in Indigenous Education, Graduate Studies and SOBE.  Misty is a graduate of TRU with an Administrative Assistant and Business Fundamentals Certificate. She is also currently completing an Executive Assistant Diploma from TRU.
  
  Misty enjoys hunting, fishing, and drawing/painting. Also enjoys spending quality time with her two children during the harvesting seasons.

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  Noah Arney
  Career Services Coordinator
  250-828-5286

  Biography

  Master of Education, Educational Research; Adult Learning - University of Calgary
  Bachelor of Education, Secondary Teacher Education - University of British Columbia
  Bachelor of Arts, Major in English; Extended Minor in Theatre - University of the Fraser Valley
  Certified Career Development Professional
  
  Noah began his career as a high school teacher then changed course and has been a student affairs professional since 2010. In that time he has worked as an Academic Advisor, Career Advisor, Associate Registrar, Program Administrator, and Work Integrated Learning Coordinator. He is passionate about helping students learn more about themselves and building on their past experiences to create their future.
  
  He has volunteered with the student affairs organization CACUSS for many years and is currently on their Board of Directors.
  
  Outside of work Noah loves playing board games, video games, cooking, baking, and researching historical cookery.

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  Leanne Mihalicz
  Co-operative Education Coordinator
  250-371-5982

  Biography

  Master of Education Degree – Thompson Rivers University
  Bachelor of Education Degree - Brandon University
  Bachelor of Recreation Management - University of Manitoba
  
  Leanne has been a secondary and post-secondary educator for over 18 years. She started at TRU in 2008 as a Student Employment Coordinator within the CEL department and then moved to an instructor and Work Experience Coordinator with the Education and Skills Training program in 2009.  Throughout her career, Leanne has been passionate about connecting students and community through a variety of experiential learning opportunities. Her aim is to build positive relationships and facilitate learning through strength-based approaches.
  
  In addition to her professional life, Leanne enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, and loves spending time with her family and pets. She also likes meeting people, learning about other cultures, and eating a variety of local and international foods.

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  Katelin Pietrusinski
  Co-operative Education Coordinator
  250-371-5547

  Biography

  Career Development Practitioner Certificate – Simon Fraser University
  Master of Arts: Theology, Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy - Wilfrid Laurier University
  Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Simon Fraser University
  
  Katelin joined Career and Experiential Learning as a Co-operative Education Coordinator in September 2022. Before relocating to Kamloops, she worked as a Career Centre Programs Coordinator at Douglas College for 3.5 years. Also a Canadian Certified Counsellor, Katelin believes that experiential learning and mental wellness go hand-in-hand. She aspires to mentor students on their journeys to build their best potential into dream careers through thoughtful decision-making, intentional development, and continued direction checks and re-mapping. Katelin's current co-op portfolio includes supporting students in computing science, software engineering, math, physics, and the ARET program.
  
  Outside of work, you can find Katelin enjoying walks in the park, playing games (all sorts), or baking.

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  Katie Brooks
  Career Education Assistant
  250-828-5276

  Biography

  Katie is a graduate of TRU with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Communications and New Media as well as obtaining a TESL certificate. While Katie attended TRU as a student she was very engaged, taking part in 2 study abroad semesters, working as a Work Study student and a Safety Ambassador. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, and being outdoors.

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  Harshita Dhiman
  Business Co-op Coordinator
  250-852-7685

  Biography

  Bachelor of Arts- Panjab University, India
  Advanced Diploma in Career and Counselling- Panjab University, India
  Master of Psychology- Punjabi University, India
  Master of Education- Thompson Rivers University
  
  Harshita has been a Sessional Business Co-op Coordinator with Career and Experiential Learning since 2021.
  
  She received a Master of Education from TRU in 2019 and a Master of Industrial Psychology from Panjab University, India, in 2017. She has two years of experience working with diverse populations and has developed instructional, counselling, and career coaching skills with Open Door Group and the Academy of Learning Career College. She also worked as a Graduate Research Assistant with TRU in a peer-mentoring project for Early Childhood Educators across BC. Outside of work, Harshita enjoys swimming, music, and yoga.