Leading a national model for student support
Trinity Western University continues to set a national example in how universities can care for students recovering from concussions. In April 2024, the University became the first post‑secondary institution in Canada to implement a formal Concussion Return‑to‑Learn (RTL) policy—an initiative already demonstrating meaningful impact on student success and well‑being.
Anchored by TWU’s commitment to whole‑person education and supportive learning environments, the RTL protocol provides students with tailored academic pathways as they recover from mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). Whether a concussion occurs on the field or through an accident at home or elsewhere, the University ensures students are not navigating the recovery process alone. By coordinating campus-wide care from the Learning Commons, Spartans Athletics, the Wellness Centre, the Student Care Alert system, and faculty, TWU brings together a network of resources focused on helping students not just heal but thrive.
Closing a critical research gap
Dr. Melinda Dewsbury, who leads the initiative from TWU’s Learning Commons, emphasizes the importance of structured academic support in concussion recovery. While research on concussion management is steadily increasing, particularly in K–12 settings, there remains limited guidance for supporting university‑aged students. TWU is helping fill that gap. “Careful management of cognitive activity is key to reducing the risk of persistent symptoms,” she notes. “If we have this knowledge, we have a responsibility to do what we can.”
A gradual path back to learning
The RTL protocol outlines a personalized, step‑by‑step return to coursework. In the earliest stage of recovery, students rest completely from classes, exams, and assignments. As symptoms improve, they reintroduce light academic activities—brief reading, listening to recorded lectures, or reviewing printed notes. TWU’s official RTL webpage reinforces how thoughtful academic pacing can make a significant difference in recovery.
The protocol also equips students and professors with clear expectations: academic adjustments, rescheduled assessments, reduced digital workloads, and weekly check‑ins all ensure students can progress academically without compromising recovery.
Encouraging outcomes for student success
Since the policy’s inception, results have been remarkably encouraging. In the 2024–25 academic year, 32 students received RTL support, and retention reached 100 percent. Nearly 41 percent achieved a semester GPA higher than their cumulative average, and none were placed on academic probation. In fall 2025 alone, 27 students engaged with the program, with retention remaining above 96 percent. One‑third achieved higher‑than‑average semester GPAs. These outcomes demonstrate not only the effectiveness of the RTL protocol but also TWU’s broader mission to provide academic pathways that empower every student to succeed.
Expanding research & impact beyond TWU
TWU’s pioneering leadership is also shaping concussion‑related research across the province. Dr. Dewsbury is collaborating with Dr. Colin Wallace (Okanagan College) and Dr. Erin Lea (Langara and Okanagan College), with support from Parachute Canada, an injury‑prevention organization. Their joint project, Return‑to‑learn following concussion: Knowledge translation of a novel care pathway, received Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funding and aims to support RTL implementation at additional colleges and universities in British Columbia.
As the research expands, the University continues to deepen its commitment to ensuring that every student—whether facing a concussion or another academic challenge—experiences a learning environment grounded in care, excellence, and community support. This is ultimately rooted in the University’s vision for every graduate to be equipped for life. For students navigating concussion recovery, the RTL protocol is more than a policy; it is a tangible expression of the University’s promise to walk alongside them on their journey toward healing, academic success, and flourishing.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. TWU has its main campus in Langley, B.C. and campus sites in Richmond, B.C. and Ottawa, Ont.
Learn more at twu.ca or follow @TrinityWestern on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. For media inquiries, please contact media@twu.ca.