Contact Us
Questions? Student Services has answers.
Drop by the office
Old Main 1631
Monday to Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone us
250-828-5023
Send email
The Student Services team
Christine Adam
Dean of Students
250-371-5860Since 2010, Christine has been a leader to the diverse team of professionals on campus that supports students’ personal, academic, social and career development. Christine completed a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of Ottawa, followed by a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (CTESL) and a Masters of Arts in Applied Language Studies at Carleton University. Her professional and personal passions coincide with one another. Christine loves to support students that don’t traditionally have access to a post-secondary education, mentor young professionals and back initiatives that destigmatize mental illness. In her spare time, she’s usually found in the bleachers cheering TRU’s very own Wolfpack or her sons' various high school sports teams.
Sara Wolfe
Acting Dean of Students
778-471-8352Sara has been with TRU since 2011 where she began as a Sessional Instructor in the ESAL Department. She then moved to Coordinator of the Writing Centre from 2012-2015 and Assistant Dean of Students in 2016. Sara completed a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Sociology and Geography in 1996 and a Bachelor of Education in 1998, both from UBC. She then completed her TESL from TRU in 2011 and returned to UBC for her Masters of Education. In her spare time, Sara enjoys playing hockey, belly dancing, reading, travelling, spending time with her Dachshund, and even cleaning! Before TRU, Sara lived and worked in Dalian, China, at Dalian Maple Leaf International School for 12 years. Both of her children were born there, attending local schools up until when they left in 2010 to move back to Canada. She believes in student-centered, strengths-based, reflective learning in which every individual student is guided and nurtured. She also loves any project and getting things done!
Karen Nichols
Interim Assistant Dean of Students
250-371-5860
Cindy James
Chair, CASA
250-828-5471
Biography
Shawn Read
Chair, Career &
Experiential Learning
250-371-5669Shawn is a senior tenured faculty member in Career and Experiential Learning. For the past 13 years, Shawn has worked as a coordinator in career services and co-operative education programs. Shawn is passionate about experiential learning and as the Bachelor of Business co-op coordinator, he helps students access these opportunities throughout the country. Shawn has been a department chairperson for over seven years and has taken on a pan-campus leadership role to develop policy, professional development, and leadership activities for chairs on campus. Shawn is actively involved in governance and academic programming of the university and has previously been a TRU senator, member of the TRU academic planning and priorities committee and a member of the TRU Open Learning Planning Council that oversee academic policy.
Shawn recently completed his term as national president of the Canadian Association for Career Educators and Employers (CACEE). As a leading authority on post-secondary school to career transition, his mission for CACEE was to advance and support on-campus recruitment and career education in Canada.
When he is away from TRU, he loves to watch movies and spend time with his family. He has completed a number of long hikes such at the West Coast Trail and the Berg Lake Trail near Mount Robson.
Val Jacobs
Student Services Receptionist
250-828-5023TRU hired Val as an auxiliary employee in 2001. The part-time temporary job quickly turned into a full-time position with the cashier’s office in the Finance Department. She then moved on to Student Awards for a short term before returning to Finance in Accounts Payable and Payroll. In 2013 she joined the Student Services team. Val graduated from the Cariboo College in 1990 with a Medical Office Assistant Certificate. Val loves the challenges of this position; multi-tasking and triaging invigorates her mind and makes the day’s fly—doing what she loves most, supporting the students, staff and faculty.
Judy Macdonald
Student Services Receptionist
250-852-7839Judy began working at TRU as an auxiliary in March 2016. After working in Facilities, she went directly into ESAL/UPREP before moving to the Faculty of Science as Assistant to the Dean and then to Student Services. Judy graduated from Fairview College in Alberta where she completed the Animal Health Technology program. In her spare time, Judy enjoys water skiing, slo-pitch and golf in the summer. Throughout the winter, she enjoys snowmobiling, skiing, curling and hockey. She and her family moved to Kamloops from Edson, Alberta where they resided for 28 years. Judy and her family are involved with the Swim Club, with both of her girls competing at provincial and national levels. They are looking forward to all new challenges and adventures that may come their way.
Nicola Forbes
Administrative Assistant
250-371-5778After leaving the hustle & bustle of London, England in April, Nicola joined TRU in June 2018. Before even learning to drive a car, Nicola took to the “wheel” of a plane at 16 and completed her Private Pilot License at the age of 18. She looks forward to taking to the skies over here and admiring this beautiful region from a great height. Nicola enjoys dad jokes, the Westsyde petting zoo, cooking for friends & family, traveling and time spent outdoors (which includes wine tasting, camping, hiking and exploring the many lakes and trails on offer in BC.) She has enjoyed learning about new cultures, meeting everyone around campus and settling into Kamloops life. Nicola looks forward to supporting TRU students, staff and faculty while growing in the role and learning new skills.
Alicia Ashcroft
Writer and Storyteller
250-852-7245Before starting at TRU, Alicia was connected to the university as the Master of Ceremonies at TRU’s Music in the Round in 2016, a performer in the AWT production The Best of Everything (2014) and presenter at various Open House sessions. Alicia also spent four seasons as a performer and marketing organizer for the theatrical Special Olympics Fundraiser that featured TRU theatre alumni and curren t students. Alicia graduated from TRU in 2009 with a Bachelor of English Literature and Theatre Arts. Following graduation, she moved to New Zealand where she met her husband. They lived in Australia and travelled extensively before settling here in Kamloops. Above most things in life, Alicia appreciates film, travel, laughter, good friends, CBC 2, the company of her dog and a well-made latte. Alicia most recently wrote and recorded a podcast for Secret City, Western Canada Theatre’s yearly High Wire Festival, as well as was a finalist for the 2016 Whistler Writer’s Festival comedy shorts competition. She is also the Events Chair and Social Media Coordinator for the Kamloops Film Festival, and when not performing, volunteering or blogging, she writes for Tourism Kamloops and Sun Peaks Independent News. She can also be heard as on-location personality for B-100 and CIFM.
James Matthews
Events & Marketing Coordinator
778-471-8353In this role, James plans, coordinates and delivers a range of communications and events for the departments in the Faculty of Student Development. Previously, he was Communications Specialist for the BC Innovation Council where he was hired following a co-op term. More recently, James worked here in Kamloops at ROI Media Works as a Digital Marketing Technologist. James is a graduate of Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. You may be familiar with James’ name as he is also on the broadcast team of three sports for the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack.
Meg Durvin
Communications Coordinator
250-371-5698Meg plans and coordinates all the marketing, events and communication support for the departments within the Faculty of Student Development. Her ambitious nature and passion for student success has been a driving force in her work life.