Heather Dirks

Associate Dean

Biography

Prior to her current role as Associate Dean in the School of Health & Wellness, Heather’s journey as a registered nurse began in rural public health. She then transitioned to a manager of community health in Northern British Columbia where she had the privilege of working with communities in Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert. Heather’s interest in education led her to complete her Masters of Nursing with a focus in teaching which turned into a faculty position at Mount Royal University.

Heather was recognized for her contributions to nursing education by being honored with the MRU Distinguished Faculty Award. Heather has extensive experience working with Indigenous communities and has developed a curriculum related to trauma-informed care and Indigenous health utilizing virtual reality as an alternate form of assessment. With two decades of diverse experience in post-secondary nursing education, her career has been marked by a commitment to providing quality nursing education for both baccalaureate and diploma students.

Education

M.N. (Teaching), Mount Royal University
B.Sc. (Nursing)