Prime Highlights:
TRU introduces the first Honours College in Canada, launching in fall 2025 with a University Honours Certificate.
The program offers interdisciplinary coursework, including seminars, leadership workshops, and study abroad opportunities.
Combines academic rigor with practical skills development, such as career-focused training and intercultural awareness.
Key Background:
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has announced the launch of Canada’s first Honors College, set to begin in the fall of 2025. The innovative program aims to enrich students’ primary degrees with interdisciplinary learning, research opportunities, and practical experiences. The college will initially offer a University Honors Certificate, targeting an incoming cohort of 60 to 100 students in its first year.
The Honours College is part of TRU’s broader Integrated Strategic Planning initiative, which was approved in 2023. Modeled after similar institutions in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, the college seeks to foster academic excellence and global perspectives through a rigorous four-year program. Students will engage in diverse academic offerings, such as interdisciplinary seminars, leadership workshops, study abroad opportunities, and career-focused training designed to hone critical thinking, intercultural awareness, and practical skills for addressing global societal challenges.
Will Garrett-Petts, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Student Development, emphasized that academic excellence extends beyond grades, highlighting the value of diverse experiences and perspectives. “The Honours College Certificate invites students from all backgrounds to contribute to a dynamic academic environment where they can thrive,” he said. “This program is for those who aspire to be change-makers.”
The Honours College will also provide students with mentorship, leadership development workshops, and targeted support to ensure academic and personal success. Students will have access to flexible schedules and advising tailored to meet their unique challenges, ensuring an inclusive experience for all participants.
Provost Gillian Balfour noted the program’s emphasis on combining academic rigor with experiential learning. “This is more than just a credential—it’s an opportunity for students to develop skills that will serve them in their careers and communities, both locally and globally,” she said. The certificate program, approved by TRU’s Senate and Board of Governors, has also received endorsement from the B.C. Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. The college is the result of extensive collaboration across TRU, involving faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders.
