Published in May to commemorate Workers' Day, our annual #dayinthelife series spotlights our staff at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU). This year, we highlight professional administrative support services staff who make a tangible difference in students' lives.
Driven by purpose and a passion for positive change, Michelle Pietersen brings heart and impact to everything she does – whether through her work at our Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation (CASIT) or in her personal efforts beyond the office. Pietersen tells us more about her role.
What does your role at SU entail?
As the manager of Engaged Citizenship in CASIT, I am responsible for creating and managing programmes that promote a transformative student experience through meaningful community engagement. The engagement initiatives are all based on the United Nations' sustainable development goals and span a wide range of fields – from educational support and tutoring to wellness projects and sports programmes.
To help equip our students for community engagement, I oversee training for social impact leaders in residences, student faculty committees and societies. I also manage our online courses, which include Advancing Engaged Citizenship, Transformative Social Work, and Activating Engaged Citizenship.
I also liaise with community partners, who are key in creating opportunities for students to experience tacit learning – real-world, reflective experiences that deepen their understanding. We run our programmes in collaboration with communities, so there is always reciprocal learning, which is central to our approach.
What does a typical day at work look like?
Every day is a mixed bag of activities such as planning, coordination, and mentorship for student projects. I often spend time facilitating training sessions, meeting with students and faculty partners, and ensuring that our programmes are running smoothly and align with SU's Vision 2040.
I work closely with community partners to shape relevant, impactful learning experiences and evaluate how our courses and volunteer programmes affect both students and communities. Coordinating students' transport and programme needs also takes up a large portion of the day.
How did your education or past experiences prepare you for this job?
After school, I pursued a BMus in Music Education at the 肆客足球 of Cape Town and went on to complete my Higher Education Diploma in 1992, specialising in piano and the French horn. Later, I also earned a Diploma in Business Management. In 2011, I successfully completed a management programme for non-profit organisations at the Stellenbosch Business School, which provided valuable insights for my work.
My teaching career began at Voorbrug Secondary in Delft, where I taught class music. I used that opportunity to produce shows and nurture the learners' aesthetic development. I was also involved in the Genesis Programme, a community project where we taught brass instruments at primary schools in the afternoons. I believe that is where my passion for community development began. The Genesis Programme was where I witnessed firsthand the power of consistency, skill-sharing and mutual learning to bring about change in the lives of children and their communities through music.
I later secured a position as a brass teacher at the Frank Pietersen Music Centre in Paarl. In 2005, I joined SU's Music Department as orchestra manager on a three-year contract, overseeing the symphony orchestra and the wind band, which eventually led to my current job.
With 17 years' experience as a community practitioner and 12 years in teaching, I've developed a strong understanding of what it takes to guide and support students in becoming active citizens. The 肆客足球 has provided me with the opportunity to do truly meaningful work that shapes the next generation of leaders.
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at SU?
I enjoy seeing students and communities grow through the engagement opportunities we create. Watching students become more socially conscious, reflective and driven to make a difference is incredibly rewarding. The collaborative environment at SU, along with the genuine institutional commitment to redress, transformation and reciprocity, makes this work even more meaningful.
Tell us something exciting about yourself that few people would expect.
Few people know about my teaching history in Paarl, or that I used to manage SU's symphony orchestra and wind band.
I am also involved in Jamestown Sounds, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) started by Prof Karen Calitz and her son, Wilken, along with the Dutch Reformed Church. I currently chair this NGO, which continues to have a positive impact on communities in Jamestown and beyond. Music has always been a part of my life: I still play the organ in church on Sundays to feed this passion.
* Image by Ubaid Abrahams
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