Meet the team Accessibility Services

Sarah Walz
(she/her), MEd Director, Student Access and Academic Supports

Sarah has worked in post-secondary student services since 2006, and she has been with TRU’s Faculty of Student Development since 2018. After graduating high school in Northern BC, Sarah’s educational pathway started at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George BC. She completed two diplomas (Human Kinetics and Arts) before transferring east to complete her Bachelor's Degree at the University of Alberta. Sarah later obtained her Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Calgary. Sarah loves spending time outdoors exploring the Kamloops area with her husband and two little boys. She is also a fitness enthusiast and highly recommends TRU Recreation’s free classes. Sarah's goal in Accessibility Services is to ensure there is equitable access to the learning at TRU. If students have learning barriers related to a disability or health condition, she strongly encourages them to connect with the AS office. Inclusion and diversity are fundamental values at TRU, and we not only embrace, we celebrate, that diversity on our campuses. She is proud of the role that Accessibility Services plays in the university’s commitment to equity.

Sarah Ellis
(she/her), MEd Accessibility Services Advisor

Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in psychology and a Teaching English as a Second Language certificate from TRU in 2013.

Living and teaching abroad was a goal of hers, so after Sarah graduated, she immediately applied for jobs abroad and was hired in Incheon, South Korea. After living and teaching in South Korea for four years, she accepted a teaching job in Bangkok, Thailand, where she taught nursery school for a year. She then returned to Canada, moving to Kamloops in 2018, where she enrolled in the Education Assistant and Community Support program at TRU.

While teaching overseas, Sarah met marginalized students who had diverse needs and learning styles. These experiences encouraged her to pursue employment within Accessibility Services because she is passionate about helping others, breaking down educational barriers, and advocating for people who may not be able to advocate for themselves. Sarah is currently completing her Masters of Education degree; when she is not hard at work, she enjoys time with loved ones, camping, fishing, travelling and relaxing outdoors.

Katie Thomson
(she/her), MEd Accessibility Services Advisor

A graduate of TRU, Katie earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2005 and completed her Graduate Certificate in Child and Youth Mental Health in 2011.

Katie has been working with the dynamic team in the Accessibility Services department since 2017, where she pursues her passion for equitable access to education. Her practice is informed by a deep commitment to lifelong learning, building and maintaining relationships characterized by trust, promoting student-centred supports, and reducing barriers for students.

When she isn’t working, you can often find Katie spending time reading or playing games with her husband and son. She is an adventurous cook, and loves sharing her culinary creations with friends and family: food creates community! Katie satisfies her love of adventure and exploration through travel and outdoor pursuits such as hiking, camping, and canoeing.

Giovanna (Joanne) Salituro
(She/Her), BA Accessibility Services Advisor

Joanne (she/her) received her BA in Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria in 1996. She came to TRU as an Advisor for Accessibility Services in 2009; she worked with AS until 2017 before moving to Open Learning as an Academic Advisor in Arts and Sciences. In 2021, Joanne returned to AS, which "feels like home."

Having always worked in the helping profession, Joanne has previously worked with The Boys and Girls Club Summer Camp, Community Living BC in their Options program, which was a recreation program for Adults living with Disabilities, Kamloops Youth Resources (Safe House for street-involved youth), Seasons Employment Services as an advisor for individuals with multiple barriers to employment, Giant Steps West as a Teacher's Assistant with children living with Autism, School District 73 as an Educational Support worker and lastly owner of a home-based, group daycare.

When not in the office, Joanne loves yoga, travelling, kayaking, hiking, camping, listening to live music, gardening, cooking and preserving the vegetables she grows and spending quality time with friends and family.

One of her favourite quotes is by Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better."

Evelyne Penny
(She/Her), MEd Learning Specialist

Evelyne has been a Learning Specialist with Accessibility Services for twenty years, and is a contracted fitness instructor with TRU Recreation.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Education from the University of Victoria. She has a TESL Certificate from Thompson Rivers University.

Whenever possible, Evelyne appreciates mountain biking, hiking with her bernedoodle, skate skiing and instructing fitness classes such as Barre, Zumba, Pilates and HITT.

When working with students, Evelyne strives to provide academic strategies that offer the best chance of success. Her favourite career moments are when she runs into former students that she worked with and hears their success stories.

Emily Talerico
(She/Her), BSW Assistive Technology Specialist

Emily received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Thompson Rivers University and started working as an Addictions Counsellor & Clinical Social Worker at the downtown Kamloops Addictions Clinic in 2019.

Before becoming an Assistive Technology Specialist, she worked at the AS Exams Testing Centre. Emily is passionate about providing students access to equal learning opportunities through assistive technology.

Emily finds joy as the owner of Behind the Veil Weddings - a local wedding planning & coordination company. Beyond being a proud entrepreneur, she fuels her happiness in nature, finding moments of togetherness with friends and family and unwinding with a book beside her twin sister cats, Lily & Luna. She has spent much of her free time travelling Europe and North America and lived in Denmark for 12 months before starting her university studies.

"My mantra is to be kind, positive, and never stop exploring and learning! I believe in embracing life's quirks and joys; laughter is my secret to navigating through it all."

Kathryne Brattland
(She/Her), MLIS BEd Exams Supervisor

Before joining the Accessibility Services team in July 2018, Kathryne's professional pathway was rooted in academic and public libraries in BC and Alberta.

Kathryne received her Bachelor of Education from University of Alberta in 2012, and then completed her Masters of Library and Information Studies at U of A in 2017.

When it comes to working with students, Kathryne enjoys lending her support through co-learning and creative problem solving.

In her down time, she loves cooking, baking, climbing, mountain biking and hiking with her dog.

Stacy Pena
(She/Her), BA Accessibility Services Advisor

Stacy started at TRU as a Program Advisor for the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism, later moving to the Future Students Office as a Student Recruiter-Advisor.

She studied psychology at the University of California in Santa Cruz, as well as at Hong Kong University. Her experience working with individuals with various backgrounds, interests, and diverse abilities led her to join the Accessibility Services team in 2019.

As an Exams Supervisor, Stacy offers a comprehensive approach and enjoys seeking out opportunities for self-growth in work and life. When she isn’t at work doing what she loves - supporting students in achieving their vision of success - she enjoys yoga, paddle boarding, camping, and traveling to new countries. She has gone to almost thirty countries, and Iceland is her favourite so far.

Harjoyt Baines
(She/Her)Accommodation Assistant

Harjoyt earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2005 and then went on to complete her Bachelor of Education in 2007 at TRU.

Before working at TRU, Harjoyt has plenty of experience in the education field. She taught in Bristol, England, Richmond, and Kamloops school districts. She also tutored students K-12 in areas of reading, writing and math. She loves seeing students that she taught/tutored in the past, now pursuing their educational goals at TRU, it’s a full circle moment!

When Harjoyt isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her 2 children and her husband. She enjoys being outside gardening and then transitioning those fresh goods inside the kitchen to create a culinary delight.

Katrina Pearson
(She/Her)Accessibility Services Advisor

Katina earned a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria and a Child and Youth Care Diploma from Thompson Rivers University.

A dedicated professional with extensive experience supporting students with complex needs across educational systems, Katina spent 15 years with School District 73 as a Certified Education Assistant before supporting students as an Accessibility Services Advisor, an Accommodations Assistant, and, most recently, a Central Academic Advisor.

Katina’s commitment to working with diverse student populations, implementing inclusive advising practices, and navigating education systems is evident in her strengths-based and student-centered planning.

In her spare time, she likes to read, watch movies, hike, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

"There is freedom waiting for you on the breezes of the sky, and you ask, 'What if I fall?' Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?" - Erin Hanson