Two high profile Thompson Rivers University departments are going through flux after their deans stepped down recently.

TRU's dean of arts, Michael Mehta, and dean of nursing, Barbara Paterson, have both resigned their positions.

TRU is not disclosing the reasons out of respect for their privacy, said Christopher Seguin, vice-principal of advancement. Neither could be reached for comment.

Seguin said the university is now in search of replacements.

"We are going through the discovery process for a new dean for both areas," he said. "It's nationwide search."

Both deans were appointed less than three years ago.

Paterson recently earned prestigious accolades for being instrumental in looking for new ways to foster effective prevention and care among marginalized and medically underserved populations with or at risk for chronic illness in Canada and beyond.

In early December, she received a Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal. And later that same month, she was heralded as a public sector leader alongside 18 other women during the Women's Executive Network 10th annual Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards.

Mehta left his position as professor of environmental studies at the University of Winnipeg to take the TRU posting.

He is co-founder of the Environmental Studies Association of Canada, a former director of Canadian Blood Services and SaskPower, recipient of Health Canada's Chief Scientist Distinguished Lecturer Award, recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and author and editor of five books on topics including environmental issues, nuclear safety, biotechnology, risk assessment, and nanotechnology.

It's unclear whether either will remain in a different role at the institution.