Meet the Team
Faculty and Staff
Dr. Kyra Garson (she/her/hers)
Intercultural Coordinator
kgarson@tru.ca
250-852-7184Kyra is an educator and faculty developer who is passionate about intercultural learning, inclusive pedagogies, and combating discrimination in educational spaces. Her research interests include critical pedagogies, multicultural group work and critical internationalization studies. Kyra’s doctoral study entitled “Are we graduating Global Citizens?” received the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education’s dissertation of the year award in 2014. In 2011, the Canadian Bureau for International Education selected her to receive the Internationalization Award for her work with faculty to intercuturalize the curriculum. In 2017, she was awarded the Distinguished Leadership Award by the British Columbia Council for International Education. In 2020 she received TRU’s Excellence in Interculturalization Award.
Dr. Amie McLean (she/her/hers)
Intercultural Coordinator
ammclean@tru.ca
250-828-5301Amie is a sociologist, writer, educator and parent whose academic interests are on equity and social justice issues in Canadian post-secondary education and work. Her perspective is rooted in anti-racist, anti-colonial feminist thought, with an expanding focus on disability studies. She has published on post-secondary funding policies for Indigenous students, neoliberalisation and trucking industry regulation, and the racialized politics of mobility among long haul truckers. Amie previously served as Co-Chair of the Learning at Intercultural Intersections: Towards Equity, Inclusion, and Reconciliation international conference and co-edited a resulting special issue in the Journal of Intercultural Studies. She sits on a wide range of committees focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion and engages in community advocacy work related to these topics.
Deiveek Agarwal (he/him/his)
Intercultural Administrative Assistant (Co-op)
dagarwal@tru.caDev is a fourth-year Communications student majoring in Public Relations. He comes from Guwahati in the north-eastern part of India. He has been a published photographer for years and has also been a part of the Omega Newspaper Team. Dev spent two years hosting his own radio show- 'Map it!' and ‘Downtime with Dev’, mentoring, and interviewing artists on CFBX 92.5 FM. Dev joined the Intercultural Learning Department as a Co-op Student in 2024. He is an active learner and is passionate about exploring different cultures. He believes humans are more alike than they are different, but embracing those differences is essential to understanding and appreciating varied perspectives. His goal is to see a campus environment where people of all cultures feel valued and interconnected to promote a broader worldview.
JIANG Yujie* (she/her/hers)
IUSC Research Assistant
dianajyj719@hotmail.comJIANG Yujie is a first-year Master of Education student at TRU. In her role as IUSC Research Assistant, she collaborates with the Intercultural Understanding Sub-Committee of Senate to research and report on intercultural understanding performance indicators at TRU. She has been especially involved in research relating to intercultural narratives, having successfully collaborated on a research ethics application and survey creation, she is further engaging in data generation, analysis, and dissemination of results.
As an Intercultural Ambassador at TRU, Yujie enjoys intercultural learning about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), Indigenous cultures, active witnessing, and intercultural communication. She also practices her intercultural awareness and development in many volunteer activities in the community. During this journey, she works to improve her cultural self-awareness by learning more about her own culture. Passionate about foreign language teaching, she wants to integrate intercultural education into language teaching to help foster intercultural development among her students.
Intercultural Peer Mentors
Đoàn Nguyên Phát
Phat is originally from the beautiful land of Vietnam. He is passionate about bringing people together and making everyone feel included. As a peer mentor at TRU, he loves helping others navigate the diverse cultural landscape of our community. Phat’s journey began as an intercultural ambassador, where he learned the importance of understanding and respecting our differences. Now, he is focused on creating spaces where everyone feels they belong, especially in today’s complex world. Phat is all about preserving our unique traditions and supporting communities in meaningful ways. Join Phat to build a more inclusive and connected world!
Bhavika Jain
Bhavika is a fourth-year Computing Science student at TRU. Committed to fostering inclusivity and meaningful dialogue, Bhavika plays a key role in promoting diversity and challenging biases within the TRU community. As a former intercultural ambassador, she gained valuable insights into advocating for racial equity, disability inclusion, and LGBTQ+ rights. Bhavika is also an active member of the TRUSU Entertainment Committee and a peer mentor for Orientations and Transitions, engaging students to create a welcoming environment. Originally from India, her diverse experiences in both India and Canada deepen her commitment to building an inclusive TRU community where everyone’s background is respected and celebrated.
Samreena Noor
Samreena is originally from Zimbabwe and is currently pursuing a major in Economics and Political Science at TRU. As a Peer Mentor with the Intercultural Learning Department, Samreena will draw on her previous experiences supporting students in both secondary and post-secondary environments, and on her skills in the areas of culture, disability, and mental health. She has years of experience as an Administrative Assistant and has engaged in non-profit work, such as being a Support Worker for the Canucks Autism Network. She has been repeatedly recognized for high academic achievement by making the TRU Dean’s List. Samreena’s dedication to supporting students stems from her belief in the power of young voices within our educational community. Acknowledging the importance of equity, inclusion, and diversity, she finds inspiration in literature such as Martin Luther King Jr.s’ ‘Strive Towards Freedom.” It is a powerful book that reinforces her commitment to creating a society that embraces these values.
Intercultural Ambassadors 2024-2025
Azadé Aria
Azadé comes from India and is a Graduate Student in the Human Rights and Social Justice Program at TRU. Her academic career has focused primarily on gendered differences in various contexts from the Indian Justice System to the Zoroastrian Religion, and her upcoming research focuses on understanding the coping mechanisms of female acid attack survivors in India. Hailing from the Zoroastrian Parsee community - a minority religious group in India – she has grown up witnessing marginalization and underrepresentation, and she wishes to change that for her community as well as other groups. To create long-lasting societal impact, she has worked with organizations that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion like the National Association for the Blind, Make Love Not Scars, Soroptimist International, and rePurpose Global to uplift women across various spheres. Her need for intersectionality led her to become a fellow for the Compassion and Resilience Fellowship hosted by the Foundation of Universal Responsibility led by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Azadé believes that social impact on a global scale cannot be approached from a singular point of view. As an Intercultural Ambassador, she hopes to continue her journey with EDI and devote time to working with a diverse set of people leading to a kaleidoscope of valuable perspectives.
“Anzoa” Madelene Kajusa
Madelene is in her fourth year at TRU pursuing her bachelor's degree in communication and digital journalism with a minor in sociology. She is currently completing directed studies research with supervisor Dr. Tom Waldichuk "The Regional Geography of South Sudan." Originally from Khartoum, Sudan, Madelene and her family moved to Canada as refugees in the early 2000's due to the Second Sudanese Civil War. Madelene identifies as a first-generation South Sudanese Canadian. It is not easy living in two worlds but she is open to reconnecting with her language and culture. Madelene is passionate about learning about intergenerational trauma within the South Sudanese community and ways of healing. She is also passionate about learning about different cultures.
Madeline Mailloux
Madeline Mailloux (last name pronounced my-you) was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta to French parents. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work. Eventually, she hopes to get her PhD to have a position in the Ministry of Social Work. She strives to create equality, equity, and inclusion in her everyday life. She is pursuing intercultural development to help better herself and to contribute to her communities. Madeline has dedicated a large part of her education to learning more about intergenerational trauma, epigenetics, and the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples in what has come to be called Canada. She is honoured to step into her role as an intercultural ambassador, and to work towards maintaining an inclusive, safe, and equitable campus for everyone.
Prakk
Prakk is a trilingual individual with a diverse background who is committed to fostering understanding and appreciation between cultures. Through his volunteer work at TRU Indigenous Education and Cp'lul'kwten, he has gained valuable insights into Secwépemc history and culture. Prakk's goal is to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous/International Students by promoting intercultural dialogue, sharing knowledge, and celebrating cultural diversity. He aims to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.
Raza Ali Syed
Raza is a dynamic individual with a rich tapestry of experiences. Growing up in Kuwait, he carries the spirit of the Middle East in his heart while exploring the world of supply chain management as a mechanical engineer. Beyond the classroom, he takes the stage as a theatrical actor, using his craft to connect cultures and tell powerful stories. Passionate about bridging worlds, he is dedicated to fostering understanding and unity through shared experiences. Raza envisions a world where cultural differences are celebrated, and every individual feels seen and valued. Raza is also devoted to using his voice and platform to amplify the stories that matter, bringing light to the beauty of diversity and the strength found in unity.
Ruth Nkrumah
Life is too hard to be unkind to each other, hence, Ruth is passionate about promoting understanding and connection between people of diverse cultures. She loves sharing her journey towards building a balanced and fulfilling life through learnings on health and fitness, lifestyle tips, and self-empowerment. Ruth believes in inspiring others to be the best versions of themselves while appreciating the rich diversity that our world has to offer. Ruth is also a fan of exploring new places, trying out delicious recipes, and diving into all things entertainment. Whether it’s a tutorial, a travel story, or a fun vlog, she is here to bring positivity, helpful insights, and a celebration of cultural diversity. Join Ruth as we explore, learn, and grow together across cultures. The late Bob Marley said, "different colours but one people". Let’s discover the world together, one culture at a time!
Samantha Jo Haire
From the island carved by the sea, Samantha Jo Haire was born and raised on the beautiful lands of the Beothuk, known now as Newfoundland and Labrador. Holding four pageant titles and competing all over Canada, Samantha has used her platform to share and educate students about their rights on and off campus. Being raised in the Irish culture, Samantha wants to share her lifestyle with others while learning as much as possible about the people surrounding her. She believes the beauty of Canada is the ability to live in unity while aiming to create reconciliation. Samantha believes that being an intercultural ambassador can be a stepping stone to acknowledging and addressing intersectionality and embracing the uniqueness of every individual. As a student representative on the TRUSU equity committee, Samantha aims to have every voice heard and to ensure everyone has access to the resources they require.
* In many regions of the world, name order does not follow the Given Name, Family Name order that is common in Canada. In much of China, where Yujie is from, family name comes before given name. Since Canadian name order is enshrined in law and custom, many folks from international pathways face pressure or have no choice but to change their name order. We are striving for a TRU where all names and name orders are welcomed and spoken. Learn more.
For general inquiries, please email intercultural@tru.ca