Te Kampe
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CONNIE TE KAMPE means helping graduate students and prospective grad students. That includes answering any questions they may have about the application process and academic programs, reviewing program requirements and otherwise helping in whatever way she can. As a graduate secretary in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, te Kampe works with students from the time of their initial application through to completion of their MEd, MA or PhD program.
“My job is anything student related,” she notes. Most students are working teachers, often with families, who don’t have much time, nor are they on campus all the time. “They are so overloaded with writing and research, it’s hard for them to remember everything. I’m sending out emails or phoning with deadlines all the time.”
She works with students who are in the on-campus programs, while her colleague Michele Armstrong assists students in the community-based programs. Their grad program has approximately 230 students. “We have great teamwork and communication with Graduate Records, especially Sherry Graver, who keeps us informed as to which students are missing documents or may not be registered.”
The most satisfying part of the job is seeing a student complete. “It is nice to see them, as tired and haggard as they are, come in and say goodbye. They’re done and it is cool when I can call some of them ‘doctor.’”
Born in Edmonton, te Kampe worked at the University of Calgary and was a semi-professional musician/clinician before coming to UVic nine years ago. Having started her acting career with the St. Luke’s Players, she volunteers in theatre groups and sits on the board of Four Seasons Children’s Musical Theatre. She’s been everything from props manager to director, chorus actor to lead, doing up to three shows each season. “I can sing, dance, and be a goof for the kids in the audience,” she laughs. “I can’t imagine not doing it.”
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