Cindy L James

Cindy L James is a Professor and Chair of the Counselling, Academic Support & Assessment (CASA) department at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), where she also serves as Principal Coordinator of the Assessment Centre. With over 30 years of experience across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario post-secondary institutions, she leads TRU's academic support infrastructure while maintaining active research and national leadership roles.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Educational Studies, University of British Columbia (2014)
• MA in Assessment & Mathematics Education, University of Victoria
• BEd in Secondary Mathematics & Geography, University of Victoria

Dr. James' research program focuses on assessment validity in higher education, emotional intelligence trajectories in specialized student populations, and data-driven academic support systems. Her work bridges psychometric theory with practical student services, particularly examining how emotional intelligence evolves during critical transitions like law school entry and first-year university experiences. Recent investigations address pandemic-induced disruptions to assessment integrity through comparative analyses of remote versus in-person proctoring modalities.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward professionalizing higher education testing through standardized certification frameworks. Her scholarship increasingly emphasizes operationalizing emotional intelligence metrics for student success prediction while adapting assessment protocols for extraordinary circumstances like global pandemics. This work has directly informed national standards through her leadership in testing associations.

Dr. James founded the Canadian Higher Education Testing Association (CHETA) in 2018 and served as its inaugural president until 2023, establishing national certification standards for proctoring professionals. She previously founded the BC Higher Education Testing Association (BCHETA) in 2012 and remains active in the National College Testing Association (NCTA), where she serves on the editorial board of their journal and the College Board ACCUPLACER Advisory Committee.

As CASA Chair, she oversees comprehensive student support services including academic counseling, writing assistance, and large-scale assessment operations. Her leadership extends to national committees where she shapes testing policy and professional development standards, significantly influencing how Canadian institutions manage academic integrity and student evaluation during crises.