“My return to UP was not a deliberate choice but a heartfelt return home,” says Cathy Sandis, Head of Student Administration in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria (UP), who tells Tukkievaria more about her professional journey.

Tell us about your professional background before joining UP and your experience in the higher education sector.

I’ve had the privilege of working in the higher education sector for the past 15 years. Prior to my tenure at UP, I held a position at the National Research Foundation (NRF) within the Department of Research starting in 2014.

What prompted you to join UP?

UP holds a special place in my heart, having been my academic home. As a devoted alumna, my concern for the limited student bursaries allocated from the NRF to UP prompted me to engage with the research office. This involvement, which focused on advising on application structures, ultimately led me back to the University. In essence, my return to UP was not a deliberate choice but a heartfelt return home.

Tell us about the responsibilities and scope of your role as Head of Student Administration.

The role of encompasses the pivotal functions within our unique faculty, overseeing activities ranging from student recruitment to graduation, and actively contributing to the support of both staff and student wellness. In our faculty, Student Administration is colloquially acknowledged as the counselling unit for all.

What challenges do you encounter while working with students, and how do you navigate these challenges?

The most formidable challenges arise when students are confronted with life's complexities, such as financial hardships, simultaneous employment and study, or personal traumas. Coping strategies involve a combination of prayer and the unwavering support provided by our exceptional faculty staff.

Reflecting on your childhood, what did you hope to become?

In my formative years, I harboured aspirations of becoming a ballerina.

What is the most impactful career advice you have received?

“Se niks, dan is daar niks.” (If you don't try, there's nothing.)

In which areas would you like to see an improvement within your section/faculty?

I would like to see our faculty achieve greater integration within the broader University context. This involves not only fostering interdisciplinary research but also facilitating collaboration in terms of student wellness and encouraging students from other faculties to explore modules within our discipline for a comprehensive understanding of theology.

What aspect of your job do you find most fulfilling, and why?

The most rewarding aspect of my role is the interaction with the diverse individuals within our faculty. Each person brings a unique and captivating story, contributing to an environment that continually leaves me in awe.

What is the least enjoyable part of your job?

Ironically, the administrative aspects are the least enjoyable. Perhaps revisiting my childhood ambition of becoming a ballerina might offer a reprieve.

How do you spend your leisure time?

As a mother of a teenager and two lively young girls, the concept of leisure time is a distant memory. Currently, my time is devoted to shuttling them between various activities.

What your likes and dislikes?

I strongly dislike any form of bullying but find great joy in a quick joke or a shared laugh.

Quick quiz:

Sport: Cricket

Food: Anything I don’t have to make

Movies: Dirty Dancing (still...)

Actors: Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp

Musician: J Something

All-time heroes: My two esteemed colleagues Doris Mokgokolo and Trone Stander, both of whom are formidable women and the pillars of support in my professional journey.