Image Credit: Lakehead University

By Victor Kaisar

TRU Provost Leaving

TRU Provost moving to new job at Lakehead University in Ontario

Mar 8, 2025 | 3:49 PM

KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is on the lookout for a new Provost and a new President.

This as Dr. Gillian Balfour, TRU’s Provost and Vice-President Academic is moving to a similar job at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., on July 1. A Provost is a senior administrator at a university or college who is in charge of academic matters.

“Lakehead has always been an exemplar of what can be achieved with regards to exceptional student experience and recognition for research excellence,” Balfour said, in a statement.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Dr. Gillian Siddall, one of the few women university presidents in Canada, and engaging in the work of developing a forward-thinking academic plan and strategy for financial sustainability in unprecedented times for Canada’s post-secondary sector.”

Balfour joined TRU in July 2022 after spending time as the Vice-President and Academic Dean of King’s University College at Western University in London, Ont. Prior to that, Balfour spent almost two decades at Trent University in Peterborough, Ont., where she was the Associate Dean of Trent Online and Centre for Teaching and Learning.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Is there any future for Canada Post?

8h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: British Columbia, it's time for us to step up

May 21, 2025

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Latest program growth at Kamloops Y focused on mental wellbeing

May 21, 2025

Balfour will leave her role at TRU in late May, having spent just shy of three years in Kamloops.

“I would like to express my gratitude for my time at Thompson Rivers University as Provost, and for the colleagues who journeyed with me on an exciting path for the university’s future,” Balfour added.

“I’m also excited to return to Ontario, where I have spent most of my academic career, and experience a new part of the province with extraordinary natural beauty.”

Balfour’s departure comes as TRU is already in the midst of searching for a new President and Vice-Chancellor to replace Brett Fairbairn, who will retire on June 30. Fairbairn has been TRU President since Dec. 2018, and agreed to a two-year extension in 2023.

The search for Fairbairn’s replacement is already underway, with an announcement expected in about a month or so.

“The Presidential Search Committee met on November 26 to review the search progress and has been pleased with the interest shown to date,” a December statement from TRU said.