TRU and City of Williams Lake commit to a shared future for post-secondary education in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region

Courtesy of Thompson Rivers' University:

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and the City of Williams Lake have signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) that marks a significant step forward in their shared commitment to ensuring strong, sustainable access to post-secondary education and training across the Williams Lake region.

The agreement affirms a common public purpose: to work together to support student success, address workforce and community needs, and promote long-term regional vitality through accessible, high-quality education and training.

Rooted in a longstanding relationship between TRU and the Cariboo Chilcotin region, the LoU reflects a forward-looking approach — one that recognizes both the opportunities and challenges facing post-secondary education in British Columbia today, and the need for collaborative, innovative solutions.

“This agreement reflects the strength of our partnership with the City of Williams Lake and Mayor Rathor’s leadership,” said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Airini. “We are grateful for the City’s commitment to working alongside TRU with a shared focus on students, community, and opportunity. Together, we are taking important steps that further strengthen access by learners in the Williams Lake region to relevant, high-quality and sustainable post-secondary education — now and into the future.”

“Access to post-secondary education is important to the long-term strength and vitality of our region,” said Mayor Surinderpal Rathor, City of Williams Lake. “The City values its long-standing relationship with TRU and is committed to working collaboratively to support students, strengthen regional opportunities and help ensure residents continue to have access to education and training close to home.”

As a first step under the LoU, TRU and the City are working together on the design of an inclusive regional engagement process to help reimagine post-secondary education in the Williams Lake region. This work will ensure that students, school districts, Indigenous Nations and communities, local governments, employers and regional partners have meaningful opportunities to shape future education and training pathways.

The LoU outlines a shared commitment to:

a) Maintain student-centred decision-making, ensuring continuity and clear pathways through any transition

b) Advance a collaborative planning process (2026–2028) to reimagine post-secondary education for learners in the Williams Lake region

c) Support ongoing access to post-secondary education and training, aligned with community and workforce needs

d) Explore opportunities for partnerships with other post-secondary institutions to strengthen regional access

e) Work in accordance with provincial requirements to ensure that lands and facilities associated with the Williams Lake campus continue to be used for educational purposes

f) Strengthen relationships with communities and Indigenous partners, recognizing their leadership and role in shaping future education and training opportunities for learners in the Williams Lake region.

TRU is recruiting for fall 2026 and winter 2027 programming at TRU Williams Lake. Skilled Trades Education programs and the unique Regenerative Agriculture program have strong support.  Places are available for the Practical Nursing diploma. TRU and the City of Williams Lake are collaborating actively to promote these opportunities and encourage Williams Lake learners to apply.

TRU has served the Williams Lake and Cariboo Chilcotin region for more than 50 years and will continue to do so into the future. While program delivery models may evolve over time, both TRU and the City are aligned in their objective: ensuring that post-secondary education and training continue to support learners, communities and local economies across the Williams Lake region.

Both organizations emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership as planning progresses, and the vital role of education in building strong, resilient communities.

Thompson Rivers University Williams Lake Campus Update

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake is aware that the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Board of Governors agreed to a fulsome community engagement process for reimagining the future education offerings at the Williams Lake Campus, including consultation with the University Senate, and that they deferred consideration of closing the campus until June 2026

As the City was not able to have a representative present at this meeting, we are thankful to Chancellor DeDe Derose for providing her leadership and the amendment to delay the vote on the facility disposal in Williams Lake. She spoke to the importance of the bricks and mortar facility to the region, and as a member of E’sketemc she spoke from personal experience on how important this is.  The City would also like to thank other community leaders and members of the public for speaking up on this important topic.

Following this meeting, the City has many questions regarding the details of the financial budget presented by TRU regarding the upcoming financial plan.  The City will continue to seek answers on the specific budget items as they relate to the motion on the table for the closure of the campus. We encourage the community and wider region to provide their comments and concerns on the potential closure of this key institution to the City of Williams Lake at corporateservices@williamslake.ca. 

The City will then relay any comments it receives to the TRU Board so that they will have a full understanding of the impacts of their decisions on our community.

Upcoming Discussion on the Future of TRU in Williams Lake

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake is aware of concerns circulating in the community of Williams Lake around the possibility of a future closure of the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Williams Lake Campus. Williams Lake Council has officially taken the position that it strongly opposes any potential closure of this vital community asset and that it expects any significant changes to the services offered at the campus should be first subject to public consultation and input.

Mayor and Council are working to seek clarification on the matter and wish to assure residents that every effort is being made to communicate these concerns to TRU and the Provincial Government, and to ensure a viable and sustainable future for local and regional access to post-secondary education services.  We will continue to update the community as information becomes available.

TRU Williams Lake invites all to powerful Indigenous exhibits

Courtesy of Thompson Rivers University:

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Williams Lake proudly welcomes two Indigenous exhibitions to campus.

Created by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council in partnership with Royal BC Museum, Our Living Languages: First Peoples’ Voices in British Columbia is an award-winning interactive language exhibition that encourages visitors to learn more about the challenges faced by Indigenous communities throughout the province as they work to revitalize their languages. Thirty-four of Canada’s 60 Indigenous languages are represented in this exhibition.

Dates: Mon., March 27 to Tues., July 4
Times: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
Location: TRU Williams Lake *

Developed by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Indigenous artist Carey Newman, the Witness Blanket is a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that recognizes the dark and difficult legacy of residential schools in our country. Inspired by a woven blanket, the cedar‐framed artwork is made of more than 800 reclaimed items — including braids of hair, a hockey trophy and a piece of stained glass — from 77 sites across Canada, including residential schools, churches and cultural organizations.

“I talk about the Witness Blanket as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call for commemoration initiatives,” Newman told CBC Radio. “It was my way of using art to talk about the truth of residential school history in Canada. It was inspired by my father and his experience.”

Dates: Mon., Aug. 21 to Fri., Oct. 20
Times: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
Location: TRU Williams Lake *

*Parking is free on campus.