Elections
Governance at TRU is divided into three bodies responsible for corporate and academic decision-making.
The Board of Governors makes decisions on such matters as property development, labour and finance. The Senate and the Planning Council for TRU Open Learning make decisions on such matters as curriculum, credentials, admissions and educational policies. The composition, powers and duties of each governing body are legislated by the Province of British Columbia in the Thompson Rivers University Act.
Elections are held each fall and winter to fill positions on the TRU governing bodies as necessary.
Fall 2026 election results for positions on the Board of Governors, Senate, and the Planning Council for Open Learning.
Board of Governors
Two (2) Faculty representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Nominees
Bruce Martin
Musfiq Rahman
Dian Henderson
Peter Tsigaris
Rhonda McCreight
Elected
Elected
96 votes
84 votes
80 votes
79 votes
68 votes
One (1) Non-Faculty representative for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Nominees
Rita Leone
Justin Donaldson
Elected
140 votes
27 votes
Senate
Two (2) Faculty representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029, from the following faculties:
Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism
No Nominees
Vacant
Faculty of Arts
Nominees
Dr. Zeinab Esmaeili
Monica Sanchez-Flores
Elected by acclamation
Elected by acclamation
Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics
Nominees
Yong Joo Kang
Salman Kimiagari
Laura Lamb
Elected
25 votes
votes tied*
votes tied*
*Final result to be determined by Senate.
Faculty of Law
No Nominees
Vacant
School of Nursing
No Nominees
Vacant
Four (4) TRU Open Learning Teaching Staff representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Nominees
Katia Dilkina
John Patterson
Gordon Rudolph
Amy Tucker
Elected by acclamation
Elected by acclamation
Elected by acclamation
Elected by acclamation
Two (2) Support Staff representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Nominees
Shilpee Sharma
-
Elected by acclamation
Vacant
Planning Council for TRU Open Learning (PCOL)
Two (2) TRU Open Learning Teaching Staff representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Nominees
Katia Dilkina
Amy Tucker
Elected by acclamation
Elected by acclamation
November 13, 2026 – Election Results
The Registrar will communicate all election results within five (5) business days of the close of voting. Candidates will be notified by email of their outcome.
Full election results, including voting counts, will be posted on the TRU elections web page after the individual candidates have been notified. Election results will be reported to the Senate at the next possible meeting following the election.
Proposed meeting times and attendance (subject to change)
Meeting times for each governing body will vary and attendance at meetings is required.
- Board of Governors meeting schedule
- Senate meeting schedule
- Planning Council for TRU Open Learning meeting schedule
- TRU Community Trust
Questions
For more information, please email TRU Elections at elections@tru.ca.
These elections are carried out in accordance with the Thompson Rivers University Election Procedures for The Board of Governors, Senate, The Planning Council for Open learning and the TRU Community Trust Board of Directors.
