Ms. Sandra Walther, the manager of USP, is leaving USP after the past 2 years of service. Recently, we spoke to her where she took the chance to thank those who had helped her and she emphasised her continued love for the programme, staff, faculty and students.
Ms. Sandra Walther
Q: Students are sad to see you go. Why are you leaving? (What should students understand the most regarding your departure?)
A: I think it is important for students to know that I did everything that I sought out to do and more. I did it with lots of help, nothing is accomplished alone. I love that I was a catalyst for change.
Q: How has the USP changed since you joined?
A: We were able to retro-act our curriculum back to 2015, so we are not lagging a year. The 2015 batch got the benefits of the revised curriculum and the TOPS trip, which we did not see coming until the next year. Now, with the inclusion of the USP scholarship, study abroad programme, and the new system, USP has become even more awesome.
Q: What are your proudest achievements in USP?
A: In my first year, my goal was to get enough courses. We were running short of courses and I wanted to get enough courses booked, especially with the large incoming batch. I managed to get enough courses, and worked with OAS (Office of Academic Services) to develop a USP registration system. There was no registration system prior to my coming. These might seem like small changes, but they were huge to the students. There is so much more, but these are two concrete things. Working as a team with the new USP Club President and Exco, we were able to do even more things.
There was the assessment of opinions, as well as lots of feedback on courses, of how things were going. I was able to observe the impact of the curriculum on students. This led to the understanding that we need to revise the curriculum, the TOPS programme and that we needed to have a USP scholarship. Without the first year, the second year would not have happened. I want to thank all the people who have helped me.
Q: What will you miss most about USP?
A: Angela and the students. ‘Cause you guys are great, fun, awesome, alive, and growing all the time. It is fantastic and fascinating. Sometimes I make unpopular decisions; I hope that everyone understands that I adore them.
I just look at some of the students, who have made remarkable changes since they have come here. USP allowed students to experience things that they were never able to, transformed how they felt about themselves and their judgment of their own potential. I know that good things are happening here, and I am thrilled to be part of it.
Q: Will you still continue to teach USP Spin Yarn?
A: Yes. I will continue to live in campus, and I am happy if anyone wants to visit and learn knitting from me.
Q: What are your plans after leaving USP?
A: I will take some time to travel, and my husband and I will do some travelling to the US during the June/July period. After that, I will see where I am. I am not leaving Singapore, and I love USP; I believe in USP and the students. And I am excited to see what amazing things happen as students graduate and move into the working industry. I just think the cohorts who are moving through USP are spectacular people.
Q: Some USPians are worried about the uncertainty regarding the new USP manager – what do you have to say about that?
A: The next USP manager will be more awesome, capable and fun than me. They should be excited to welcome the new person. Things are heading in a wonderful direction for USP. Students can help out by working together with Prof May, Daniel, Angela and Jowe (the interim USP manager) to get through this transitional period. Don’t stand back from this, step up. Be available in any way or needed. Don’t be afraid.
Q: Do you have any final words?
A: To set themselves free by not worrying about yesterday and giving today all they have because if they do that, they don’t have to worry about tomorrow. If you let yourself go, you become who you are now, and you don’t create a prison of self-concept. You don’t have to worry about tomorrow. The only thing that starts tomorrow is today. Magical things will happen if you let go of the past. And don’t be afraid of change. Change is good.
