Meet the Team

With over 30 years of progressive experience in academic advising, both on-campus and through Open Learning, Charlene leads the Central Advising team, oversees advising project management, supports strategic initiatives and collaborates with pan-campus partners to ensure a consistent student experience while supporting a diverse population of learners. She supervised the Academic Advising team for over six years.

Charlene has a bachelor’s degree in education with a triple minor in Geography, Learning Disabilities, and Psychology; she earned a certificate in Workplace Mental Health Leadership from Queen’s University and a Liberal Arts certificate from Simon Fraser University. As a lifelong learner, Charlene actively engages in extensive leadership training and professional development, completing the TRU Connections Mentorship Program, Emerging Leaders, Leaders program, Management Skills for Supervisors Certificate and Stepping up to Supervisor.

Caring, curious, and collaborative, Charlene’s values are centered around fostering a true sense of belonging with an altruistic perspective on civility. Charlene believes in individual empowerment and community-building while providing consistent and intentional leadership support through transparent conversation. She supports her team through strengths-based mentorship and cultivating a warm, inclusive sense of community through collaboration, respect, worth, understanding, grace, and acceptance.

A Professional Education Planner recognized for leadership, empowering, engaging, and coaching individuals to achieve their goals, Charlene is a meticulous strategist who embraces intellectual curiosity to influence and cultivate new student initiatives and develop change-adapt teams.

Charlene co-owned Automotive Engine Rebuilding Machine Shop from 1994 to 2018 and supported government-funded students completing their apprenticeships at the Apprenticeship Branch of BC- Kamloops in 1990. Charlene worked at her family’s Shuswap resort every summer for 27 years, running the marina, gas dock, and rental storefront.

Charlene values play as much as she does work, naming downhill skiing and e-biking through the mountains, hiking, boating, waterskiing, wake surfing, dirt biking, motocross and going on off-road adventures with her family as among her favourite activities. She was a competitive curler from 1979 - to 2014- as the Skip, a women’s provincial competitor from 1984 to 86, and curled competitively for Cariboo College (first team for the institute!!). She attended the Canadian nationals as third on a mixed team. When this self-described “gym rat” enjoys downtime, Charlene also loves gardening and hanging out with her young adult children. Charlene is deeply passionate about how music impacts mood and perception of yourself and the world around you. She also plays piano, acoustic, classical, electric and bass guitars (Charlene used to be part of a rock band!)

An experienced and accomplished support resource known for understanding all aspects and levels of student transition, Charlene has experienced unprecedented success in designing and bridging support to the advising areas and community partners.

After earning various credentials from the University of British Columbia, Camosun College and Simon Fraser University, Marnie became an Academic Advisor in 2011. Marnie values education and promotes proactive advising initiatives that enhance successful planning and learning. Working with international students has provided valuable insights into intercultural perspectives and adaptability. As a supervisor, Marnie is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for staff and students to encourage engagement and achievement. A regular at TRU fitness classes, Marnie enjoys being outside, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and disc golfing.

Katina earned a Master of Education and a Bachelor of 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 and, most recently, an Accommodations Assistant at TRU.

Katina’s commitment to working with diverse student populations, implementing inclusive advising practices, and navigating education systems is evident in her strengths-based, student-centred planning. She is a strong advocate for students requiring accommodations, youth in care, and Indigenous populations.

In her spare time, she likes to read, watch movies, hike, travel, and visit 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

Jarita holds a Provincial Instructor’s Diploma from VCC, a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University, a Bachelor of Tourism Management degree, and a Resort and Hotel Diploma from UCC.

A valued staff & faculty member at TRU since 2007, Jarita teaches a wide range of tourism courses, including catering, marketing, leadership, human resource management, and fundraising. She spent many years as a Program Advisor in the Tourism sector.

Known for her deep commitment to learning, thoughtful and accurate approach to long-term course planning, and her ability to support students as they work toward their academic and life goals, Jarita’s purview aligns closely with mature learners and the supports they require. She has a strong interest in ensuring students are on the appropriate pathways and have opportunities to build independence while navigating the post-secondary system.

Jarita can often be found at community events, probably next to a food truck. She loves reading, board game nights, binging classic TV shows like Buffy and Alias, travelling sometimes just for the food culture, and spending quality time with her family, especially her young son.

Heather joined TRU in 2012, holding various positions in Accessibility Services, Academic Advising and the Gaglardi School of Business and Economics. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is currently enrolled in Athabasca University's Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on Educational Studies. Heather is passionate about helping students navigate post-secondary education with empathy and information. When not studying or supporting students, Heather loves spending time with family, hiking, reading and singing with the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

A former student-athlete for the WolfPack baseball team, Thomas earned his Bachelor of Science from TRU in 2019. He started as an employee at TRU in 2020 and joined the Advising office in 2021.To make advising services more accessible for student-athletes, Thomas is flexible when booking appointments times around their busy schedules, and also attends PACE sessions once per month as an additional option for student-athletes to connect. Having been in their shoes before, Thomas understands the complexities of the experience and knows that scheduling appointments around class and athletic obligations can be difficult.

Thomas and his wife, who played basketball for the WolfPack, regularly attend games on campus. He enjoys watching professional and college sports (mostly baseball, football, and basketball). He also golfs in the summer and plays rec volleyball every winter.

Lesley attended Cariboo College and graduated with a Recreation Management Diploma in 1992. The Cariboo College soccer alum graduated from TRU-OL with a Bachelor of General Studies in 2020. Before moving to Academic Advising in 2021, Lesley started in Enrolment Services in 2014, focusing on Admissions, Records & ESO.

In seeing Cariboo become TRU, Lesley witnessed the institution's growth and ongoing commitment to inclusivity, diversity, accessibility, sustainability, Indigenous partnerships, student-athlete success and creating a sense of belonging.

Lesley enjoys watching sports, playing golf and listening to music. She's attended 53 (and counting!) concerts, and seeing one of Tom Petty's last shows was a highlight. When Green Day goes on tour again, you'll see her there! She also likes brunch and hanging out with her family (six kids) and two dogs.

Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Sociology and English, as well as TESOL and Global Competency certificates from TRU. After graduating, she taught high school in South Korea. In 2022, Sarah returned to Kamloops and TRU as an advisor. She's currently working on her MEd at TRU.

Sarah loves helping students tackle challenges, assess learning styles, set goals, and create personalized plans. Having lived and worked in South Korea, she understands being outside your comfort zone, learning to adapt and communicating across cultures.

She loves hiking with her dogs, Moose and Ella, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and making pottery.

Yuliia earned her Bachelor of Law and Master of Law from the Odesa Law Academy in Ukraine's National University in 2016. In 2021, she received her Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Tourism Experience Management from Thompson Rivers University. She became an Advisor Assistant the following year and secured an Academic Advisor position in 2022. Yuliia enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors, watching Netflix, and travelling.

Clare earned her BA (Hons) History and English from Northumbria University and her PGCE from the University of Wales, Cardiff.

Since 2007, she has held various positions, including at the Faculty of Education and Social Work, the Faculty of Law, and the Gaglardi School of Business and Economics, before becoming an OL Program Advisor in 2023.

No matter the season, Clare enjoys being outside, whether hiking, nordic skiing, paddleboarding, playing tennis, or travelling. She loves theatre and live music so much that she volunteers as an usher at KSO and WCT performances.

Clare advocates for students to find their best pathway to success in higher education while balancing the challenges they face in their lives.