Having started her working career at Stellenbosch University (SU) more than 20 years ago, Monica du Toit is still here and says she has never had a boring moment at work. This SU alumna is the ResEd coordinator for the Victoria cluster as well as the residential head of – coincidentally – Monica residence.
As we kicked off May commemorating Workers' Day, we dedicate this series of articles to our staff and their important contribution to the University. Monica has told us a bit more about her work at SU.
What does your role at SU entail?
I coordinate leadership support and out-of-class educational experiences for students and live full-time in a student community, working with the team in Student Affairs' Centre for Student Communities.
What does a typical day at work look like?
I join a wellness walk with students three times a week, which starts at 06:30. Between 09:00 and 13:00, I attend staff meetings on student facilities, develop training materials and coordinate projects in student communities. I meet with student leaders from various structures throughout the day and in the evenings. Some meetings are about structural and organisational duties, but many also consider the health and wellbeing, academic success, social inclusion and belonging of students and student leaders. Many evenings and weekends are also spent taking part in leadership development events and meetings. Some days can get very long, but the job also allows me the flexibility to make time for family and personal growth.
How did your education or past experience prepare you for this job?
I hold a master's in Clinical Psychology and worked in the field of health behaviour, transformation and diversity training. The job requires a high level of adaptability, and a willingness to learn from and with students. I think my previous jobs also taught me to be comfortable with conflict and difference, and to appreciate the complexity of communities and individuals. Above all, I think my life and work experience has helped me be wildly aspirational in my hopes and dreams, and very realistic about learning from tough times and failures.
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at SU?
I am honestly in awe of our students' commitment, agency and dedication. It makes me very optimistic about the future of our country and world when I see the many extra miles students go for one another and for educational priorities. It can be tough to watch young people struggle with personal, family and societal issues, so seeing the resilience and growth, especially given the global pandemic, inequality and the general unpredictability of life, is truly remarkable. I also really enjoy the humour and regard for people's flaws and humanity. We get to see the 'full documentary' of student success and resilience – the despair, honesty and triumph – all in one episode.
Tell us something exciting about yourself that few people would expect?
Not sure that it's unexpected or exciting, but I have a slight crochet obsession and think we should allow students to crochet and knit in class. Something about the movement of hands and stitching improves my listening and attention span. I wish I could do it in all my meetings. I want all workplaces to make a creative work hour compulsory!
Photographer: Stefan Els
