Thompson Rivers University has announced the appointment of Dr. Will Garrett-Petts as the next Associate Vice-President of Research and Graduate Studies for a five-year term beginning 1 July 2012.

Well known at TRU, Dr. Garrett-Petts began his career with Cariboo College in 1984 and has held many roles as the college evolved into the university it is today, including Instructor, Professor, and most recently, Associate Dean of Arts.

Dr. Will Garrett-Petts, Associate Vice-President of Research and Graduate Studies

Dr. Garrett-Petts’ recent administrative and research-related committee work includes seven years experience as a department chair (of Journalism and then of English and Modern Languages), three years as SSHRC Campus Representative and liaison during the 2004 National Research Transformation Consultations, an invited member of a Tri-Council National Advisory Committee, a member of both the Interdisciplinary Studies MA Planning Committee and the current M.Ed. Steering Committee, a member of the Senate Research Committee, and numerous TRU research adjudication committees, including his role as Chair of the Arts Promotion and Tenure Committee.

In addition to Dr. Garrett-Petts’ administrative responsibilities, he has continued to maintain an active and diverse research program. Dr. Garrett-Petts has held 20 external research grants as principal investigator (responsible for more than 2.3 million in direct funding, and an additional 2.5 million in matching funds); he has been recognized with awards for both research and teaching, and was recently nominated as a finalist for the International Award of Excellence (for an article published in The International Journal of Arts in Society). He has published extensively, including books, articles, catalogues, and major reports.

TRU Provost and VP Academic, Dr. Uli Scheck formally and publicly thanked the members of the Search Committee for their many hours of hard work on TRU’s behalf. He also would like to thank Dr. Don Noakes, the current Interim Associate Vice-President. Don has been instrumental in ensuring that the Research and Graduate Studies Office continues to operate smoothly and efficiently until 30 June 2012.

For more information please contact:
Dr. Ulrich Scheck
Chair, AVP Research and Graduate Studies Search Committee
Provost & Vice-President Academic
(p) 250-377-6126