Central Academic Advising Current Students

Central Academic Advising

I am a new on-campus student:

• admitted to Flex Entry or Exploratory Studies pathway
• registered in first- or second-year (0 to 53 credits):
  • Diploma in Computer Network and Cyber Security
  • Bachelor of Computing Science (BCS)
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Wildfire Science Certificate
  • Computer Science Diploma
• registered in first year (0 to 23 credits):
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc)
  • Associate of Science
  • Wildfire Science Certificate
• registered in English as a Second or Additional Language (ESAL level 4 or 5 ) courses
• preparing for career/vocational or trade program
• undecided on a program or major
• applying to a pre-professional program while finishing an undergraduate degree
• planning to transfer to another program or institution after one or two years

Adventure Studies

I am an on-campus student

• registered in an adventure studies certificate or diploma

Undergraduate Programs

I am an on-campus student with 24 or more credits:

• registered in first year, second year, third year, or fourth year of the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program
• registered in first year, second year of the Associate of Arts degree
• registered in the second, third or fourth year of the BA/BBA dual degree
• registered in the Police and Justice Studies diploma
• registered in the Wildfire diploma
• registered in the Communications Media certificate

I am an on-campus student:

• registered in any of the TRU's Fine Arts or Visual Arts programs

Architectural and Engineering Technology

I am an on-campus student

• registered in the Architectural and Engineering Technology (ARET) Diploma program

Undergraduate Programs

I am an on-campus student:

• registered in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA program) with 0 to 120 credits
• registered in any business certificate or diploma program
• registered in any business post-baccalaureate program
• registered in Wildfire Leadership certificate

Communication and Digital Journalism

Registered in the Bachelor Communications and Digital Journalism program

Computing Science

I am an on-campus student with 54 or more credits:

• registered in third- or fourth-year of the Bachelor of Computing Science (BCS) program

(see Central Academic Advising for Computing Science Diploma and Diploma in Computer Network & Cyber Security)

Education

I am an on-campus student

• registered in the Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Early Childhood Education (ECE) program
• with at least 60 credits, interested in BEd Elementary program
• with at least 90 credits, interested in BEd Secondary STEM program

All enquiries for the Master of Education go to edgradadvising@tru.ca.

Engineering Transfer, Software Engineering and Computer Engineering

I am an on-campus student

• registered in the Engineering Transfer program
• interested or registered in the Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering program
• interested or registered in the Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering program

Fine Arts, Visual and Performing

I am an on-campus student

• Registered in any of TRU's Fine Arts or Visual Arts program

Graduate (Masters) and Post-Baccalaureate

I am a student registered in

• Masters of Arts in Human Rights & Social Justice (MA-HRSJ)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) & Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (GDBA)
• Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management (MScEEM)
• Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management (MEEM)
• Master of Education (MEd) or Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (GCES)
• Master of Nursing (MN)
• Master of Science in Environmental Science (MScEnSc)
• Post-Baccalaureate in Business
• Post-Baccalaureate in Tourism

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

I am an on-campus student

• registered in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program
• with at minimum of 45 credits and interested in the program

Natural Resource and Wildfire Science

I am a student

• registered in the Bachelor of Natural Resource Science (BNRS) program

Nursing

I am an on-campus student

• registered in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program
• registered in the Health Care Assistant Certificate program

I am a Williams Lake campus student

• registered in the Practical Nursing (PN) program

Open Learning

I am a student interested in/registered in an Open Learning (Distance Learning) course or program

Respiratory Therapy

I am a student

• registered in a respiratory therapy program

Science

I am an on-campus student with 24 or more credits

• registered in year two, three or four of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) program
• registered in year two of the Associate of Science

(see Central Academic Advising for (0 to 23 credits) year one of the Associate of Science and Wildfire Science Certificate

Social Work

I am an on-campus student

• registered in the Bachelor Social Work (BSW) program – socialwork@tru.ca
• interested or registered in the Educational Assistant and Community Support Certificate (EACS) program – humanservice@tru.ca
• interested or registered in the Human Service Worker Diploma (HUMS) program – humanservice@tru.ca
• interested or registered in the Education and Skills Training (ESTR) program – ESTR@tru.ca

Tourism and Sociocultural Dynamics-Wildfire

I am an on-campus

• registered in the Bachelor Tourism Management (BTM) program
• registered in a tourism certificate or diploma program
• registered in a tourism post-baccalaureate program
• registered in the Sociocultural Dynamics of Wildfire Certificate

Trades

I am a student

• registered in a trades program

Adult Basic Education

• Registered in the UEPrep program and interested in graduating with an Adult Graduation Diploma.

English for Academic Purposes

•Registered in the ESAL program

•Courses for students whose first language is not English

Charlene MunroShe/Her

With over 30 years of progressive experience in academic advising, both on-campus and through Open Learning, Charlene leads the Central Advising team, oversees advising project management, supports strategic initiatives and collaborates with pan-campus partners to ensure a consistent student experience while supporting a diverse population of learners. She supervised the Academic Advising team for over six years.

Charlene has a bachelor’s degree in education with a triple minor in Geography, Learning Disabilities, and Psychology; she earned a certificate in Workplace Mental Health Leadership from Queen’s University and a Liberal Arts certificate from Simon Fraser University. As a lifelong learner, Charlene actively engages in extensive leadership training and professional development, completing the TRU Connections Mentorship Program, Emerging Leaders, Leaders program, Management Skills for Supervisors Certificate and Stepping up to Supervisor.

Caring, curious, and collaborative, Charlene’s values are centered around fostering a true sense of belonging with an altruistic perspective on civility. Charlene believes in individual empowerment and community-building while providing consistent and intentional leadership support through transparent conversation. She supports her team through strengths-based mentorship and cultivating a warm, inclusive sense of community through collaboration, respect, worth, understanding, grace, and acceptance.

A Professional Education Planner recognized for leadership, empowering, engaging, and coaching individuals to achieve their goals, Charlene is a meticulous strategist who embraces intellectual curiosity to influence and cultivate new student initiatives and develop change-adapt teams.

Charlene co-owned Automotive Engine Rebuilding Machine Shop from 1994 to 2018 and supported government-funded students completing their apprenticeships at the Apprenticeship Branch of BC- Kamloops in 1990. Charlene worked at her family’s Shuswap resort every summer for 27 years, running the marina, gas dock, and rental storefront.

Charlene values play as much as she does work, naming downhill skiing and e-biking through the mountains, hiking, boating, waterskiing, wake surfing, dirt biking, motocross and going on off-road adventures with her family as among her favourite activities. She was a competitive curler from 1979 - to 2014- as the Skip, a women’s provincial competitor from 1984 to 86, and curled competitively for Cariboo College (first team for the institute!!). She attended the Canadian nationals as third on a mixed team. When this self-described “gym rat” enjoys downtime, Charlene also loves gardening and hanging out with her young adult children. Charlene is deeply passionate about how music impacts mood and perception of yourself and the world around you. She also plays piano, acoustic, classical, electric and bass guitars (Charlene used to be part of a rock band!)

An experienced and accomplished support resource known for understanding all aspects and levels of student transition, Charlene has experienced unprecedented success in designing and bridging support to the advising areas and community partners.

Marnie StorieShe/Her

After earning various credentials from the University of British Columbia, Camosun College and Simon Fraser University, Marnie became an Academic Advisor in 2011. Marnie values education and promotes proactive advising initiatives that enhance successful planning and learning. Working with international students has provided valuable insights into intercultural perspectives and adaptability. As a supervisor, Marnie is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for staff and students to encourage engagement and achievement. A regular at TRU fitness classes, Marnie enjoys being outside, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and disc golfing.

Jarita HeerShe/Her

Jarita holds a Provincial Instructor’s Diploma from VCC, a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University, a Bachelor of Tourism Management degree, and a Resort and Hotel Diploma from UCC.

A valued staff & faculty member at TRU since 2007, Jarita teaches a wide range of tourism courses, including catering, marketing, leadership, human resource management, and fundraising. She spent many years as a Program Advisor in the Tourism sector.

Known for her deep commitment to learning, thoughtful and accurate approach to long-term course planning, and her ability to support students as they work toward their academic and life goals, Jarita’s purview aligns closely with mature learners and the supports they require. She has a strong interest in ensuring students are on the appropriate pathways and have opportunities to build independence while navigating the post-secondary system.

Jarita can often be found at community events, probably next to a food truck. She loves reading, board game nights, binging classic TV shows like Buffy and Alias, travelling sometimes just for the food culture, and spending quality time with her family, especially her young son.

Heather GnoatoShe/Her

Heather joined TRU in 2012, holding various positions in Accessibility Services, Academic Advising and the Gaglardi School of Business and Economics. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is currently enrolled in Athabasca University's Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on Educational Studies. Heather is passionate about helping students navigate post-secondary education with empathy and information. When not studying or supporting students, Heather loves spending time with family, hiking, reading and singing with the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

Thomas CopelandHe/Him

A former student-athlete for the WolfPack baseball team, Thomas earned his Bachelor of Science from TRU in 2019. He started as an employee at TRU in 2020 and joined the Advising office in 2021.To make advising services more accessible for student-athletes, Thomas is flexible when booking appointments times around their busy schedules, and also attends PACE sessions once per month as an additional option for student-athletes to connect. Having been in their shoes before, Thomas understands the complexities of the experience and knows that scheduling appointments around class and athletic obligations can be difficult.

Thomas and his wife, who played basketball for the WolfPack, regularly attend games on campus. He enjoys watching professional and college sports (mostly baseball, football, and basketball). He also golfs in the summer and plays rec volleyball every winter.

Verlinda WaleShe/Her

Verlinda holds a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Tourism Management from TRU.

With over two decades of experience at TRU, Verlinda has served as an Academic Advisor, Supervisor of Academic Advising, and Academic and Administrative Coordinator in the Faculty of Science. She also spent time with the Financial Aid & Awards and Finance departments.

Known for her collaborative approach, thoughtful and clear communication, and deep understanding of TRU programs and systems, Verlinda supports students with education planning, course selection, and navigating university requirements, always with a student-centred approach. She enjoys connecting with students and providing customized support.

Devon De VriesHe/Him

Devon obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Thompson Rivers University, where he also supported student success through Supplemental Learning as a peer leader and mentor.

With over five years of progressive experience in Enrolment Services at TRU, including two years as an Enrolment Services Officer, Devon has supported admissions, registration, and complex student inquiries in a high-volume environment.

Most recently, he has spent the past two and a half years as a Student Awards and Financial Aid Advisor, further strengthening his expertise in student advising, financial aid, and navigating complex academic and administrative processes, all grounded in a thoughtful, student-centred approach.

Ashlynn ValanaShe/Her

Ashlynn earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Thompson Rivers University in 2010 and a diploma in Library and Information Technology from Langara College in 2015.

She has held several roles at TRU and enjoys working with OL programs that provide flexible support for students managing family and employment commitments while pursuing their education.

In her free time, Ashlynn is a fiction enthusiast (she read 78,400 pages in 2025!). She loves fishing, adventuring, and exploring beautiful BC with her husband and daughter.

Carly GrisenthwaiteShe/Her

Carly is a proud member of the Lytton First Nation of the Nlaka’pamux people. She earned a Diploma in Library and Information Technology from Langara College in 2017. She will receive her Bachelor of Arts, General Studies from Thompson Rivers University. She started working at TRU in 2015, first at the library, then the Registrar’s Office, before joining OL Advising in 2021.

A lifelong learner, Carly cares deeply about making education more accessible and supports students with empathy and encouragement. Having taken a non-traditional education path herself, she understands the challenges and joys of returning to school later in life.

Outside of work, Carly enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exploring nature, paddleboarding, collecting books, and gaming.

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” - Carl Jung

Clare JeffersonShe/Her

Clare earned her BA (Hons) History and English from Northumbria University and her PGCE from the University of Wales, Cardiff.

Since 2007, she has held various positions, including at the Faculty of Education and Social Work, the Faculty of Law, and the Gaglardi School of Business and Economics, before becoming an OL Program Advisor in 2023.

No matter the season, Clare enjoys being outside, whether hiking, nordic skiing, paddleboarding, playing tennis, or travelling. She loves theatre and live music so much that she volunteers as an usher at KSO and WCT performances.

Clare advocates for students to find their best pathway to success in higher education while balancing the challenges they face in their lives.

Daniel StultzHe/Him

Dan received his bachelor’s in history from Thompson Rivers University in 2016. A year later, he began working in Enrolment Services and became an OL Program Advisor in 2020. Dan is passionate about advising and strongly believes in building connections to assist students through their Academic journey.

A die-hard Edmonton Oilers and Kamloops Blazers fan, Dan loves the thrill of a live game but also enjoys reading and listening to music. Spending time with his family, especially his beloved granddaughter, and his 5 cats, Mykull, Ghormen, Percy, Fisher, and Pepsi, makes him very happy.

Marianne DietrichShe/Her

Born and raised in Kamloops, Marianne graduated from the University College of the Cariboo (now Thompson Rivers University) with a BA in GEOG/PSYC in 1993. She joined TRU's online division in 2007 as an Enrolment Services officer, but when a program advisor position opened in 2009, she jumped at the opportunity.

Marianne has learned a lot along the way from my program students, and she enjoys all the stories and life events she has been part of. The best part of this job is celebrating the achievements of the hardworking TRU students who complete their programs and cross the stage at convocation ceremonies.

In her free time, she takes care of her fur babies and enjoys watching Baseball (go Jays!).