Thompson Rivers University has appointed a world-leading expert on at-risk student education as its new Dean for the Faculty of Human, Social and Educational Development (FoHSED).

Dr. Airini, an accomplished scholar and university administrator, is currently on a Fulbright fellowship consulting to the U.S. federal government on at-risk student education. She will join the FoHSED faculty at TRU for a five-year term beginning in November.

Concurrent to her role as dean she has been retained by the New Zealand government to be one of two academics on a task force on revamping the country’s educational system.

“I am excited that we have attracted such an exceptional scholar as Dr. Airini,” said Alan Shaver, TRU President and Vice Chancellor. “She will also support TRU’s priority to develop programs and practices that support diversity, inclusion and intercultural understanding.”

“FoHSED provides real strength to TRU’s mandate to serve the educational and training needs in the region,” said Dr. Airini. “I’m looking forward to the commitment of making sure our research and our teaching and service is inspired, inspiring, and contagious.”

Her credentials include a PhD in curriculum and instruction from the University of British Columbia, and master’s degrees in Business Administration and in Education (awarded with Distinction). She is also an Adjunct Professor at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, an honorary appointment for distinction in the advancement of research in education, diversity and lifelong learning.

Dr. Airini was the founding leader for the highly regarded School of Critical Studies in Education within the Faculty of Education at New Zealand’s highest ranked research university, the University of Auckland.

“I’m thrilled to join the team at TRU and FoHSED,” Dr. Airini said. “Everybody I have met, students, staff and faculty, was welcoming, and genuinely keen to advance this unique, innovative university.”