Staff and Faculty

Dr. Oren Shtayermman holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work from Fordham University, his educational journey includes a Master of Social Work from New York University and a Baccalaureate of Social Work from the University of Haifa. Currently serving as Associate Dean at Thompson Rivers University, Dr. Shtayermman has held pivotal roles at various universities in the USA, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering inclusive environments. With expertise in social work, mental health, and educational leadership, Dr. Shtayermman valued voice in the EDI discourse, bringing both academic rigor and practical insights to the table. Dr. Shtayermmans’ professional and diverse background encompassing multiple health professions and a rich history of contributions in various settings, Dr. Shtayermman brings a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the complexities within the academic and social services landscapes.

Dr. Tanya Manning-Lewis is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Thompson Rivers University in Canada. She has served the education sector for over 22 years as a secondary school teacher, teacher educator, community-engaged researcher, and advocate for vulnerable populations in local, multicultural, and international contexts. She is a social justice educator whose practice is grounded in compassion and the ethic of care.

She is currently in the graduate education program and works closely with community partners, educators, and students to create meaningful educational change. Her research focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), student experience, language and socialization, gender, Caribbean identity, and decolonial practices. Through her work, she continuously seeks to develop pathways for critically and authentically engaging educators in a deeper understanding of the intersectionality of race, gender, and class in social justice education. She is passionate about using multimodal and multi-literate approaches to challenge dominant narratives in education.

Dr. Bodrun Nahar is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Economics at the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics, Thompson Rivers University, where she has been serving since January 2022. In addition to her teaching role, she is the Chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee at the Gaglardi School. Dr. Nahar holds both a Master’s and a PhD in Economics from the University of New England in Australia. With over two decades of university-level teaching experience, Dr. Nahar has taught a wide range of core economics courses in Bangladesh, Australia, Malaysia, and Canada. Her research interests span poverty and income inequality, environmental economics, macroeconomics, and public policy. She has presented her work at numerous national and international conferences and has published extensively, including several journal articles and two books. In recognition of her contributions to advancing equity and inclusion, Dr. Nahar has been awarded TRU’s Provost’s EDI Fellowship for the 2024–2025 academic year. She is currently collaborating closely with the Office of the Provost and the TRU EDI and Anti-Racism Office to support the implementation of the recommendations set forth in the 2022 TRU Anti-Racism Task Force Report.

Reuben Onyango is the Director of International Student Services at Thompson Rivers University, in Kamloops, British Columbia, where they lead strategic initiatives to enhance the international student experience. Reuben was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and has called Canada and Kamloops home since January 2000. He is also a proud TRU Alum.

With over a decade of experience in international education, they have held multiple leadership roles focused on student support, housing, events and immigration advising. A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), In collaboration with various units on campus, Reuben leads a culturally diverse team that offers expert guidance to international students and their families while fostering strong partnerships with local, municipal, government and educational organizations.

Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Royal Roads University, Reuben is committed to building inclusive, student-centered services that promote intercultural understanding and student success.

From Morocco, graduated with master’s in education from Thompson Rivers university in April 2024. Worked as an educator for 5 years in Morocco and China. Recently, in January 2025, I have joined the office of equity, diversity, and inclusion & anti-racism as an intern.

This opportunity aligns well with my personal and professional objectives, as well as my research interests; my academic work focused on addressing systemic barriers and promoting equity in educational systems. As part of my M.Ed. exit project, I have created a handbook for graduate international students, showcasing my dedication to advocating for equitable access to education, opportunities, and information. This project further demonstrated my commitment to fostering inclusivity and supporting diverse students. Working as an Intern in the EDI office, helping me creating a safe and supportive space to amplify students' voices and address systemic challenges.

Dr. Michael Henry currently serves as the Dean of the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Southern Queensland, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Alberta, and Undergraduate Degrees from the University of Ottawa and Brock University in Social Sciences and Arts respectively.

Dr. Henry’s career has spanned the private, public, and the non-profit sectors. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1993 to 1997. His career includes ten years as an Executive Director of non-profit health organizations, ten years in public life, three years in a construction related private enterprise, fifteen years consulting, and two decades as a university academic administrator.

Dr. Henry was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal and received the Above and Beyond Award from the province of BC. He was also nominated for Start-up Canada Award 2019 & Start-up BC 2018 and has received a number of leadership awards, including a honourary life membership from the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Mark Wallin is an Associate Professor of Media Studies and Communication at Thompson Rivers University. He is currently interim Dean of Arts and has previously held positions in the faculty as Associate Dean of Arts, Curriculum Development, and Associate Dean of Arts, Flexible Learning. He also held the position of Chair of the department of Journalism, Communication, and New Media Studies (now Communication and Visual Art).

His research is interdisciplinary, spanning Media Studies, Adaptation Studies, Event Studies, and Critical Tourism. His recent work has focused on the transgressive form and ethical critique of academic scholarship in Ari Aster’s film Midsommar.

Shayne has been at Thompson Rivers University for the past two years in the role of Associate Vice-President, People & Culture. The People & Culture Department provides services to the university in the areas of Learning and Development, Wellness, Recruitment, Labour Relations, Benefits, and other general Human Resources areas. Previously Shayne worked in senior Human Resources positions with the Kamloops-Thompson School District, and for other privately held companies. Shayne has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University.

Denise is from the Nlaka’pamux Nation and has Cerebral Palsy (CP). Denise received her Social Work Degree from Thompson Rivers University in 2010, and her Master of Education from the University of British Columbia in 2021. Denise has worked with youth programming for the past twenty-five years, and at Thompson Rivers University for the past seven years as a Learning Strategist, Indigenous Transitions. Her passion is Indigenous Education and Diverse Abilities. Denise has persevered in all areas of her life due to Cerebral Palsy and has overcome multiple barriers. Without her mother’s advocacy and perseverance, she would not be who she is today. Being asked to be on this conference is an honor and a privilege.

Hope you saved room for dessert because Miss Mousse is here to satisfy your sweet tooth! Your local Kamloops queen is as fluffy, chocolatey, and utterly irresistible as her name suggests—serving up something delicious every time she steps on stage. With a repertoire spanning decades and genres, Miss Mousse delivers high-energy performances that blend nostalgia with fresh, contemporary flavor. Whether she’s belting out power ballads or bringing the heat with the latest hits, she knows how to keep the crowd wanting more. Sweet, sassy, and serving looks, Miss Mousse is about to be your new favorite treat—so grab a spoon and dig in!