THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY – New president named to succeed Fairbairn

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has a new president and vice chancellor to replace Dr. Brett Fairbairn effective July 1.

Fairbairn has held the post since 2018. His successor is Dr. Airini (who goes by one name), who served as dean of TRU’s Faculty of Education and Social Work from 2014 to 2021.

Currently provost and vice-president Academic at the University of Saskatchewan, Airini is known for her work on student success, equity and education systems reform.

“Returning to TRU is both an honour and a responsibility,” she said. “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.

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. It engaged the executive search firm Boyden, which advertised internationally for candidates.

“Dr. Airini stood out for her experience, integrity, and academic leadership,” said Hee Young Chung, chair of the TRU 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, an MBA from Massey University and a Diploma in Teaching from the former Christchurch Teachers College. 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 B.C. 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. A Fulbright scholar, Airini holds adjunct professor appointments in Australia and New Zealand and is a national award-winning researcher and educator in Canada and New Zealand.

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.

An announcement by the university today (April 2, 2025) said that, 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.”