TRU hires first vice-president of research

KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has its first vice-president of research following a search dating back to July 1.

In a news release issued Thursday (March 16) morning, TRU says Dr. Shannon Wagner accepted the position after serving as the university’s associate vice-president academic. She has been with TRU since October 2021.

“It is truly an honour to have the opportunity to fill this new position at TRU,” Wagner says. “Research is my passion, and I am excited by the possibilities ahead of us. We are a young, vibrant, growing institution with remarkable faculty and staff. I’ve seen the depth of people’s skills and dedication already during my short time at TRU. I look forward to working with everyone in common purpose towards our vision.”

TRU says Wagner has dedicated much of her research career to the study of workplace traumatic stress, especially for emergency responders. She is also a registered psychologist with expertise in occupational neuropsychological assessment, and served in professional and teaching roles at University of Northern British Columbia from 2000 to 2021.

TRU says the vice-president’s research provides a level of strategic leadership similar to what is found at its peer institutions within the Research Universities’ Council of BC, bringing increased attention and support to TRU’s development as a research university.