KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Thompson Rivers University has named Dr. Airini, an internationally recognized researcher, teacher, and leader in higher education, as its next President and Vice-Chancellor. Her five-year term begins July 1.
Currently holding the role of Provost and Vice-President Academic at the University of Saskatchewan, Airini is known for her work on student success, equity, and education systems reform. She served as Dean of TRU’s Faculty of Education and Social Work from 2014 to 2021.
“Returning to TRU is both an honour and a responsibility,” said Airini. “It’s an enormous privilege to take on this role. We know that TRU became a full university 20 years ago because of this community’s strong vision and advocacy,” she said. “It is from these roots that this dynamic university is serving the region, and quietly yet boldly changing the province and the world.”.
“I know first-hand that TRU is a genuine force for good, honouring Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, T’exelc, and the Secwépemc Nation. I am excited to serve our communities and to advocate relentlessly for all that is unique and exceptional about TRU.”
The search for TRU’s president was comprehensive. A committee comprising representatives from faculty, staff, students, administrators, local Indigenous communities, board members, and alumni met to consider candidates and make a recommendation to the board.
The committee engaged the executive search firm Boyden to assist their effort, which advertised internationally for candidates. The committee also consulted with internal and external communities to define the qualifications and experience desired in a new president. After a thorough review of qualifications and interviews with candidates, the committee unanimously recommended Dr. Airini for the role.
“Dr. Airini stood out for her experience, integrity, and academic leadership,” said Hee Young Chung, Chair of the Board of Governors and the search committee. “She brings a deep understanding of TRU’s mission and a clear commitment to our students, communities, and partners.”
Airini holds a BA and MEd from the University of Canterbury and an MBA from Massey University, a Diploma in Teaching from the former Christchurch Teachers College, and through night classes, she completed a certificate in Te Ara Reo (Māori language) with Te Whare Wānanga o Aotearoa.
She came to Canada as an international student, completing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of British Columbia. Before joining TRU in 2014, Airini was the inaugural Head of the School of Critical Studies in Education and Associate Dean (Equity) at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She led Pacific Education at the former Auckland College of Education. Airini, a Fulbright scholar, holds adjunct professor appointments in Australia and New Zealand and is a national award-winning researcher and educator in Canada and New Zealand.
Airini is the author or co-author of more than 100 academic papers, books, chapters, and reports, and she has led or worked on research and development projects that have attracted more than $20 million from Canadian and international funders.
Airini has held government roles in postsecondary and K-12 education and has consulted developing countries on education strategy and reform. Airini is a member of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Global Hub, informing international policy development on world food security.
As dean at TRU, she oversaw the expansion of research and scholarship and the creation of new undergraduate and graduate programs. She co-led the Knowledge Makers program, which mentors Indigenous undergraduate researchers and is now a UN-sponsored global initiative. She introduced Indigenous language, culture, and research methods courses and led the Coyote Project — a university-wide project transforming the university’s practices for Indigenous student success.
As President and Vice-Chancellor, Airini will lead the university to achieve its strategic goals, secure long-term financial health, and foster strong, inclusive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the community. She will guide the university's vision, and lead TRU’s mission to provide high-quality accessible education at campuses in Kamloops and Williams Lake, online through Open Learning, and with students from around the world.
She will champion the advancement of TRU’s reputation as a research institution providing knowledge, talent, and skills needed by the region, province and beyond.
Airini succeeds President Brett Fairbairn, who has led TRU since 2018.
Media backgrounder
Dr. Airini: Incoming President and Vice-Chancellor, Thompson Rivers University
Dr. Airini holds a PhD in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of British Columbia. She earned a Master of Education with Distinction and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Canterbury, an MBA from Massey University, and a Diploma of Teaching from the Christchurch College of Education. She also completed a Certificate in Te Ara Reo Māori (Level 4) through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Airini is a trained elementary school teacher.
Throughout her academic career, Dr. Airini has focused on equity, student success, and systemic transformation in education. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 scholarly outputs, including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, commissioned research reports, and academic conference presentations. Her work addresses local, national, and international contexts, combining theory with practical application.
Dr. Airini's research explores how teaching can help students succeed in higher education. This work contributed to culturally responsive approaches in teacher education and continues to inform Indigenous and equity-focused education reform. She has led national and international research projects examining the relationship between teaching quality, institutional culture, and student outcomes.
She co-led the establishment of World University Network research into students who are first from their families to enrol in university (Australia, Canada, NZ, South Africa, USA). Recognizing the importance of leadership for change in universities, her research includes factors influencing women advancing in university leadership. Dr. Airini’s research portfolio includes major commissioned reports influencing education policy and practice in Canada, New Zealand, and other regions.
Internationally, Dr. Airini has advised education ministries in developing countries, including the Cook Islands and Tonga, and contributed to UNESCO projects in the Pacific. She is a member of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Global Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems, contributing to international policy on Indigenous knowledge, education, and food security. She advised the BC government on the Equity in Action Project, an initiative for all BC school Districts School Districts successfully working together to address systemic barriers impacting Indigenous student achievement.
Dr. Airini is currently on research and professional development leave from her role as Provost and Vice-President Academic at the University of Saskatchewan, a position she has held since 2021. She is co-editing a book about the TRU-led Knowledge Makers initiative, and her recent training experiences included the MIT program on AI and organizational strategy.
From 2014 to 2021, she served as Dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Work at Thompson Rivers University. Before this, she was the inaugural Head of the School of Critical Studies in Education and Associate Dean (Equity) at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She also led Pacific Education at the former Auckland College of Education. Airini, a Fulbright scholar, holds adjunct professor appointments in Australia and New Zealand and is a national award-winning researcher and educator in Canada and New Zealand.
She holds adjunct professorships at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand and Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia. In 2014, she was a Fulbright Scholar at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she researched strategies to improve outcomes for underserved students.
Airini has been a national representative in two sports in her birthland, Aotearoa, New Zealand. She is the only woman to be selected, based on merit, for a national men’s representative sports team. Airini kayaked across the Cook Strait, one of the world's most dangerous and unpredictable waters, between the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
Airini plans more adventures, including completing the Yukon 1000, the world’s longest kayak race. She has completed several multisport wilderness events and a marathon and is proud to have done the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim three times.
References
- Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). Equity in action. Source
- Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. (2019). TRU wins national teaching award Source
- SaskToday.ca. (2020). USask appoints new provost and VP academic. Source
- Thompson Rivers University. (n.d.). Airini – Thompson Rivers University Expert Directory. Source
- Thompson Rivers University. (2014). Appointed: A world-leading expert on at-risk student education Source
- United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. (2020). Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems: Experts. Source
- University of Saskatchewan. (2021). Dr. Airini appointed Provost and Vice-President Academic. Source
- University of Saskatchewan. (n.d.). Airini. College of Education. Source
- University of British Columbia. (n.d.). Airini, PhD '97 – Faculty of Education. Source
