Meet the Team

Accessibility Services Team

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  Sarah Walz (she/her), MEd
  Director, Student Access and Academic Supports

  Biography

  After graduating in Northern BC, Sarah continued her education at the College of New Caledonia, where she completed two diplomas (Human Kinetics and Arts). She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Alberta and later obtained her Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Calgary.

  Sarah has been a post-secondary professional since 2006 and began working at TRU in 2018.

  Proud of the role that Accessibility Services, Central Advising, and Exams and Testing Services play in the university’s commitment to student success and equity, Sarah strongly encourages any student experiencing barriers or requiring support to connect with Student Services staff to find their version of success.

  Sarah loves spending time outdoors exploring the Kamloops area with her husband and two sons. She is also a fitness enthusiast and is often seen at TRU Recreation classes.

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  Sarah Ellis (She/Her), MEd
  Accessibility Services Advisor

  Biography

  Sarah graduated from TRU in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language.

  In alignment with long-held goals, Sarah applied for jobs abroad after graduating and was hired in Incheon, South Korea. After living and teaching there for four years, she taught nursery school in Bangkok, Thailand, for a year.

  Sarah then returned to Canada, moving to Kamloops in 2018, where she enrolled in the Education Assistant and Community Support program at TRU. She completed her Master of Education from TRU.

  While teaching overseas, Sarah met marginalized students with diverse needs and learning styles, which fostered her passion for helping others, breaking down educational barriers, and advocating for those unable to advocate for themselves. These experiences also inspired her to pursue employment within Accessibility Services.

  When she is not hard at work, Sarah enjoys spending time with friends, family and her two cats as well as camping, fishing, travelling, and relaxing outdoors.

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  Katie Thomson (She/Her), BA
  Accessibility Services Advisor

  Biography

  A graduate of TRU, Katie earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2005 and completed her Graduate Certificate in Child and Youth Mental Health in 2011.

  Katie has been working with the dynamic Accessibility Services team since 2017, where she pursues her passion for equitable access to education. Her practice is informed by a deep commitment to lifelong learning, building and maintaining relationships characterized by trust, promoting student-centred support, and reducing barriers for students.

  When she isn’t working, you can often find Katie reading or spending time with her husband, son, and daughter. She is an adventurous cook and loves sharing her culinary creations with friends and family: food creates community! Katie satisfies her love of adventure and exploration through travel and outdoor pursuits such as hiking, camping, and canoeing.

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  Giovanna (Joanne) Salituro (She/Her), BA
  Accessibility Services Advisor

  Biography

  Having always been drawn to the helping profession, Joanne earned a bachelor’s in child and youth care at the University of Victoria in 1996.

  She first joined Accessibility Services (AS) in 2009 and then moved to Open Learning in 2017 as an Academic Advisor for Arts and Sciences. Joanne returned to AS in 2021, which “feels like home.”

  Joanne has previous experience with the Boys and Girls Club Summer Camp, the Community Living BC Options program, Kamloops Youth Resources, Seasons Employment Services, Giant Steps West, and School District 73 as an Educational Support worker. She once owned a home-based group daycare.

  Joanne loves yoga, travelling, kayaking, hiking, camping, listening to live music, gardening, cooking, preserving the vegetables she grows and spending quality time with friends and family.

  “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” - Maya Angelou

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  Evelyne Penny (She/Her), MEd
  Learning Specialist

  Biography

  Evelyne has been a Learning Specialist with Accessibility Services since 1998 and is a contracted fitness instructor with TRU Recreation.

  She earned her Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Education from the University of Victoria. She received her TESL credential from Thompson Rivers University.

  When working with students, Evelyne strives to provide academic strategies that offer the best chance of success. Her favourite career moments are when she runs into former students that she worked with and hears their success stories.

  Whenever possible, Evelyne spends time mountain biking, hiking with her Bernedoodle, skate skiing and instructing fitness classes such as Barre, Zumba, Pilates and HITT.

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  Emily Talerico (She/Her), BSW
  Assistive Technology Specialist

  Biography

  After earning her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Thompson Rivers University, Emily worked as an Addictions Counsellor & Clinical Social Worker at the downtown Kamloops Addictions Clinic in 2019.

  Before becoming an Assistive Technology Specialist, she worked at the AS Exams Testing Centre. Emily is passionate about providing students access to equal learning opportunities through assistive tools.

  As the owner of Behind the Veil Weddings, a local wedding planning & coordination company, Emily finds joy as a proud entrepreneur. Being in nature, enjoying moments of togetherness with friends and family, and unwinding with a book beside her twin cats, Lily and Luna, further fuels her happiness.

  She has spent much of her free time travelling in Europe and North America and lived in Denmark for a year before starting university.

  She is now the mother of the world's largest toddler (her Saint Bernard puppy, Bernie).

  "My mantra is to be kind, positive, and never stop exploring and learning! I believe in embracing life's quirks and joys; laughter is my secret to navigating through it all."

• 

  Kathryne Brattland (She/Her), MLIS BEd 
  Exams Supervisor

  Biography

  Before joining the Accessibility Services team in 2018, Kathryne’s professional pathway was rooted in academic and public libraries in both BC and Alberta.

  Kathryne earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta in 2012 and also completed her Master of Library and Information Studies there in 2017.

  When it comes to working with students, Kathryne enjoys lending her support through co-learning and creative problem solving. She wants to make education, exams and testing Services more accessible to all TRU students.

  She enjoys reading, baking, painting, and spending time with her two kids.

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  Stacy Pena (She/Her), BA 
  Accessibility Services Advisor

  Biography

  Stacy started at TRU as a Program Advisor for the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism, later moving to the Future Students Office as a Student Recruiter-Advisor.

  She studied psychology at the University of California in Santa Cruz, as well as at Hong Kong University. Her experience working with individuals with various backgrounds, interests, and diverse abilities led her to join the Accessibility Services team in 2019.

  As an Exams Supervisor, Stacy offers a comprehensive approach and enjoys seeking out opportunities for self-growth in work and life. When she isn’t at work doing what she loves - supporting students in achieving their vision of success - she enjoys yoga, paddle boarding, camping, and traveling to new countries. She has gone to almost thirty countries, and Iceland is her favourite so far.

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  Harjoyt Baines (She/Her),
  Accomodation Assistant

  Biography

  Harjoyt earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2005 and completed her Bachelor of Education in 2007 at TRU.

  Before working at TRU, Harjoyt had extensive experience in education. She taught in Bristol, England, Richmond, and Kamloops school districts. She also tutored K-12 students in reading, writing, and math. She loves seeing students that she taught/tutored in the past, now pursuing their educational goals at TRU; it’s a full-circle moment!

  When Harjoyt isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their 2 children. She enjoys being outside gardening and then creating culinary delights inside the kitchen afterwards.

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  Melinda Gouschuk (She/Her),
  Exams Support Specialist

  Biography

  Born and raised in Kamloops, Melinda received her bachelor's in sociology from TRU in 2011.

  Her professional pathways started as a support worker in community settings, with a focus on mental health and substance use. She has also worked in a private abstinence-based facility.

  Melinda has served in auxiliary roles within Accessibility Services as an accommodation assistant, advisor and test centre supervisor.

  She has been an exam support specialist since 2022. She received her 10-year service pin in 2026. She loves her work, in part because she is inspired by the students and energized by the diversity and vibrancy of campus life.

  Outside of work, Melinda enjoys hiking, kayaking, practicing reiki and Indian head massage.

Accessibility Services Testing Centre