Nsika Dube (she/her), Stewardship Coordinator at UWC Atlantic was recently awarded a scholarship to attend the Spring Institute in Educational Fundraising (SIEF).
We caught up with Nsika following her attendance at SIEF in April this year to hear more about her career experience, her role as Stewardship Coordinator and key learnings from the Institute.
What influenced you to work in the field of educational advancement?
I’ve always had a driving passion to unite people through common causes. I started my career in eSwantiti, where I’m originally from, and worked in the entertainment industry as a project manager for a programme that brought the Arts to the youth. Through this, I worked towards creating funds and scholarship opportunities, which helped many young creatives see the starting point in their careers.
While I enjoyed this work, I wanted to make an impact on the direction of a young person’s life. Education is so much more than a quantitative value and a certificate. It is a means to knowledge and connections that can influence the direction of one’s life in phenomenal ways. Education is the root of my passion, so I made a career change to work in the sector.
I worked as a project manager for an institution’s Creativity Action Service, an extracurricular programme that fosters a culture of personal growth and community engagement. I then moved into a position that would empower young people at this crucial juncture, which led me into philanthropy and working as a Stewardship Coordinator. It’s a space that allows me to connect with people who have the desire to give back and contribute towards positive change, which speaks to equitable education opportunities.
That’s the mission I want to be part of and I feel that my role at UWC Atlantic offers in so many ways.
Tell us more about your role at UWC Atlantic, what does a typical day look like and what are your favourite elements of your role?
I have been at UWC Atlantic for a year and a half, and my job primarily consists of community building. We’re a relatively small team of 12, and I am the only person responsible for stewardship, which has allowed me to be creative and explore what stewardship looks like in our unique setting.
My role aims to enhance relationships across the entirety of the college’s community, such as students, volunteers, and supporters. Each stakeholder has a different relationship with the college, so I wear several hats. That’s my favourite thing about my role; getting to build connections and grow relationships in different and unique ways.
Day-to-day I could be collaborating with various departments, such as the academic and wellbeing team discussing how we share the students’ wellbeing with our stakeholders to leverage further support. I’ll also be working on Canva creating donor communications, or in meetings coordinating donor events and engagement opportunities.
Do you have a standout moment from working at UWC Atlantic?
I’d say my proudest moment is yet to come as my first cohort of students is about to graduate!
But I am proud of the relationships the students have with their donors. It's more than the monetary value that has helped these students. The donors who have generously given have been completely invested in their student's academic journeys, going above and beyond to play a supporting role, both in their time at UWC Atlantic and in the future, when students venture off to pursue their higher-level education.
Because of the importance I placed on creating connections between donors and their beneficiaries, these relationships have inspired the students to give back as soon as they can too. They see the value of philanthropy through the passion the donors have shown and incorporate these values into their life objectives.
Congratulations on receiving the SIEF scholarship! What motivated you to apply?
I first discovered the opportunity through the CASE newsletter, I then did further research on the website and read previous attendees' feedback and their positive reviews. As someone new to the field of philanthropy I was actively seeking enriching learning experiences to broaden my knowledge and skills. The program precisely aligned with my aspirations and promised an exciting platform for professional development.
How will you apply your key takeaway to your role?
My key takeaway was the importance of building community and creating a programme that works for it. Every place has a different culture in their communities and thus different needs. The key will be to identify the common driving passions of the community and create a programme that unites them. Because of my position and being new to UWC Atlantic, I need to continue building a strong foundation for community engagement, which will help me cultivate positive and meaningful relationships with our stakeholders.
What advice would you give to others considering attending their first CASE conference?
This one is a cliché, but do not be afraid to ask questions. Every question asked is an opportunity for others to share and a chance for knowledge sharing. Many of us feel alone in the challenges we face with our jobs, and it is positively affirming to hear from others who might be facing the same challenges and advice from others who have overcome them. Don’t be afraid to share ideas you might have and want feedback from. You will be surrounded by peers and faculty who are passionate about what they do and want others to succeed and enjoy their jobs. It’s the best environment to get that advice and encouragement from!