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Contact Us

Address

Old Main 1712
805 TRU Way
Kamloops, BC Canada
V2C 0C8

Phone

250-371-5627

TRU Career and Experiential Learning team

  • Shawn Read

    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.

  • Larry Iles

    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.

     

  • Jamie Noakes

    Jamie Noakes
    Tourism 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.

  • Sarah Gibson

    Sarah Gibson
    Arts, Sciences, Natural Resource Sciences and Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies 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.

  • Tara Bond

    Tara Bond
    Business Co-op 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.

     

  • Robbi Davey

    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.

  • Jackie Mullen

    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!

  • Noah Arney

    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.

  • Leanne Mihalicz

    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.

  • Katelin Pietrusinski

    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.

  • Katie Brooks

    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.

  • Harshita Dhiman

    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.

Program Email Addresses
Name Email
Career & Experiential Learning Department careereducation@tru.ca
Business Co-op bus_cooped@tru.ca
Computing Science, Engineering, Physics and Math Co-op it_cooped@tru.ca
Sciences/NRS bsc_cooped@tru.ca
Arts Co-op arts_cooped@tru.ca
Tourism Co-op tourism_cooped@tru.ca
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