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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University

Presidential search

 

Following President Brett Fairbairn’s decision to retire at the end of his second term ending June 30, 2025, Thompson Rivers University is searching for a new President and Vice-Chancellor who will be instrumental in influencing the direction of the institution, further develop academic excellence, cultivate innovation and advance TRU’s dedication to excellence in both education and research.

Updates on the search will be provided on this page to inform the university community on the progress of the search.

Any questions on the presidential search can be sent to tru@boyden.com.

 > TRU Home > Board of Governors > Presidential search
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About the position

As CEO and member of the Board of Governors, the president supports the board and its mandate and is accountable for ensuring that Thompson Rivers University operates within the policy and strategy framework established by the board, the BC University Act and the Thompson Rivers University Act. The president provides advice and counsel to the board in all matters affecting the university and provides strategic leadership and vision, inspiring innovation and creativity and fostering dedication, collaboration, accountability and sustainability in faculty, staff and volunteers across the university.

For more information, please send an email to tru@boyden.com.

Presidential Search Committee

Five faculty members appointed by senate
  • Lyn Baldwin, Faculty of Science
  • Chelsea Corsi, Faculty of Student Development
  • Kimberly Johnstone, Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism
  • Laura Lamb, Gaglardi School of Business and Economics
  • Rod McCormick, Faculty of Education and Social Work
Four administrators appointed by the president (which may include academic administrators)
  • Baihua Chadwick, VP International
  • Dorys Crespin-Mueller, AVP IPE
  • Kim Cassar Torreggiani, AVP Advancement
  • Daleen Millard, Dean, Faculty of Law
One indigenous person appointed by the president
  • Ted Gottfriedson, Secwépemc Cultural Advisor
Three board members appointed by the board (including the Chair of the board)
  • Hee Young Chung (Board Chair)
  • Heather Fader
  • David Hallinan
One person recommended by Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, appointed by the Board
  • Dessa Gottfriedson
One staff member appointed by senate
  • Reta Langlands Sulphur, Enrolment Services
One student appointed by senate
  • Loshima Shongo, Arts
One representative appointed jointly by the Alumni Association and the TRU Foundation
  • Mackenzie Kanigan

The search committee above has hired leading external search firm, Boyden, to lead the search. To learn more about the individuals from Boyden who are supporting the search, view the bios for Brent Cameron, Kathryn Young and Ella Hipolito.

We welcome questions or comments about the search for TRU's next president. Please send an email to tru@boyden.com.

Process

Presidential Search Procedures

Under section 27(2)(g) of the University Act the Board of Governors of Thompson Rivers University has the power to appoint the president of the university.

Under s. 27(2)(f) of the University Act, the board has the power, with the approval of the senate, to establish procedures for the recommendation and selection of candidates for president. This document sets out those procedures.

Search committee

The board will establish a Search Committee to provide advice to the board in making its appointment of the president. The Search Committee will have the following representation:

  • Five faculty members* appointed by senate.
  • One staff member** appointed by senate.
  • One student appointed by senate.
  • Five individuals including four administrators (which may include academic administrators) and one Indigenous person appointed by the president.
  • Three board members (including the Chair of the Board) appointed by the board.
  • One representative appointed jointly by the Alumni Association and the TRU Foundation.
  • The Chair of the Board of Governors will act as Chair of the Search Committee.
  • * "Faculty members" include teaching staff from the Open Learning Division.
  • ** "Staff members" include all employees of the university other than "faculty members" as defined above and administrators (including academic administrators).
Search consultant

The Search Committee will hire an executive search firm to assist the Committee.

National advertising

The university will advertise at least nationally for a new president and will advertise more widely if the Search Consultant recommends doing so.

University community

The Search Committee will seek input from the university community with regard to the qualifications and experience the university should look for in a new president.

Confidentiality

Once the Search Committee begins accepting applications, the search process is confidential.

Comments / Questions

We welcome questions or comments about the search for TRU's next president. Please send an email to tru@boyden.com.

Updates

December 9, 2024Update on search process

The Presidential Search Committee met on November 26 to review the search progress and has been pleased with the interest shown to date. Recruitment activities and advertising are still underway, and the committee will meet again in the New Year to review candidates and develop its interview plan going forward.

As previously shared, Brett Fairbairn, who is currently serving his second term as President and Vice-Chancellor, plans to retire when the term concludes June 30, 2025.

October 7, 2024Recruitment for TRU’s next president now underway

Following an extensive consultation process over the past few months, the Presidential Search Committee met in September to review the key themes and based on the results, a candidate profile has now been developed and advertising and recruiting has now begun.

The committee thanks everyone who took the time to respond to the online survey, contacted the search consultants directly and/or attended an open forum to provide input.

The committee will meet again over the next few months to review progress and looks forward to interviewing potential candidates in 2025.

Brett Fairbairn is currently serving his second term as President and Vice-Chancellor and plans to retire when the term concludes June 30, 2025.

July 18, 2024Presidential search consultations

As previously announced, the search for TRU’s next president is now underway. The Presidential Search Committee (PSC) is responsible for recommending a candidate for the role to the Board of Governors. The work of the PSC is being supported by an executive search firm: Boyden.

Before the committee begins recruiting and advertising for this position, we want to hear from faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners. The views and input of the TRU community and its partners are critical to the PSC. I am writing to you today to specifically encourage you to share your thoughts on any of the following questions — all of which will help guide the work of the committee.

  • What do you see as some of the key opportunities and challenges ahead for the president and vice-chancellor of TRU in the coming years?
  • What experience and personal qualities would you want an ideal candidate to bring to this role?
  • Any other comments that might be useful to the committee?
  • Any suggestions of potential candidates for this role?

We value your feedback and have established three different methods to share your views.

  • Online survey (open until Sept. 15) – https://ca.mar.medallia.com/TRUPres2024
  • Email (direct to our search consultants) – tru@boyden.com
  • Open forums – We will be hosting three open forums for TRU community members to attend to share your thoughts on the above questions:
    • Tues., Jul 30 ,from 12 – 1 p.m.
      Virtual open forum via Zoom
      Meeting ID: 993 4108 347 | Password: 276726
    • Mon., Aug. 12 from 12 – 1 p.m.
      Virtual open forum via Zoom
      Meeting ID: 944 4205 6130 | Password: 917042
    • Wed., Sept. 11, from 12 – 1 p.m.
      Hybrid open forum Zoom
      Meeting ID: 983 2405 5930 |Password: 017036
      OR in person – Mountain Room, CAC
  • The connection/location details for the open forums will be sent out in advance and will be available on the PSC website.

Brett Fairbairn is currently serving his second term as President and Vice-Chancellor and plans to retire when the term concludes June 30, 2025.

June 19, 2024Search committee meets to discuss timelines

TRU’s presidential search committee, whose members are listed above, provide advice to the board in making its appointment of the president. On June 18, the committee met for the first time to discuss timelines. The committee determined that consultations with the TRU community to inform the position profile will take place from July - September.

We look forward to gathering broad input from the TRU community to support the committee’s effort to find TRU’s next president. More information will be made available as details on the upcoming consultations are finalized.

As previously shared, leading executive search firm Boyden is supporting the committee with the search.

Brett Fairbairn is currently serving his second term as President and Vice-Chancellor and plans to retire when the term concludes June 30, 2025.

Apr 30, 2024Thompson Rivers University announces Presidential Search

Thompson Rivers University is beginning the search for its next President and Vice-Chancellor to strengthen TRU’s position for continued long-term success.

All inquiries about the search should be directed to the selected external search firm Boyden by email: tru@boyden.com.

Brett Fairbairn is currently serving his second term as President and Vice-Chancellor and plans to retire when the term concludes June 30, 2025.

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