Born in Kamloops, Jayse Heer-Matonovich is a bi-racial, second-generation learner of East Indian and Croatian heritage. Jayse is currently in her second year of the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program at Thompson Rivers University. She consistently ranks at the top of her class and holds one of the university’s highest GPAs. With a focus on political science and communication, Jayse aspires to pursue both a law degree and a PhD, reflecting her commitment to academic excellence and her long-term goal of creating positive change. Jayse is currently working to publish her research, Project EDI, which maps equity, diversity, and inclusion within secondary schools to identify areas for improvement and ensure all students feel a sense of belonging. Jayse played for the TRU women’s basketball team in her first year, and despite an injury early in her season, her athletic path took an unexpected turn after attending the RBC Training Ground, where she was identified by Rugby Canada. Since then, she has excelled in rugby and now competes at a high level. Jayse strives to stay committed to her core values, including lifelong learning and building strong habits, to ensure she is always growing into the best version of herself.