Reflecting forward

Carmen Charette wraps up her term as VP External Relations

After more than seven years as UVic Vice-President External Relations, Carmen Charette will retire from her position at the end of this month—but her enthusiasm for the university, its people and its partnerships is undiminished.

When asked to reminisce about what she and her teams have accomplished, she advocates for the wonderful work they do in the present and future tense instead. The horizon, she makes clear, is full of promise. 

“I think we have an amazing community at UVic,” she says, noting the opportunities made possible by the university’s extraordinary range of partnerships, both on- and off-campus. “What I love about this place is the passion that the people we work with have—and their commitment to make this place the best it can be and make an impact.”

Each one of the External Relations units holds her attention as she ticks off the importance and value, as well as their unique prospects. Those units include Alumni and Development, Ceremonies and Events, Community and Government Relations, Farquhar Auditorium, Legacy Art Galleries and University Communications + Marketing—and though each has its own distinct role, she guides the conversation back in every case to show how they support the core university purpose.

“At times,” she says, “people will think of this entire portfolio as being eclectic and diverse, but when you think about what links all of these together, at the heart of it is that basic mission of connecting UVic and the world around it.” 

“What’s fundamental to all of that is those relationships we build for mutual benefit. It’s about the vision that we have to build a better future for people, places and the planet.”

The pursuit of that future, as it happens, is what eventually draws Charette to use the past tense—though it’s a very recent past. The 2019 Giving Tuesday celebration exceeded all expectations, with donations exceeding $167,000, and Charette is inspired by the stories of philanthropic generosity. “The stories that come through this fundraising event,” she says, “are all about wanting to do something special and wanting to give back. And it’s focused on our students, and supporting their experiences and growth.”

“As we look towards the future, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding contributions Carmen has made to our university,” says President Jamie Cassels. “She has brought boundless energy, integrity and commitment to her work and her leadership. Working alongside her talented team and colleagues, she has developed strong relationships, embraced opportunities and challenges and has advanced the university’s vision, positioning us for an exciting new era. On behalf of the entire UVic community, I wish to thank Carmen for her extraordinary service.”

As she prepares to pass the mantle to Chris Horbachewski next month, Charette reflects that when she came to UVic from SSHRC in 2012, “I’d spent almost 30 years working with universities, and it felt like a great privilege to go from the outside in, to come to this university.”

Since then, Charette says, refining how we tell the story of UVic has been at the heart of our efforts. “What I’m most proud of is the work that our teams, working with our colleagues on campus and beyond campus, have done to really enhance the profile and reputation of UVic. And that cuts across the entire Division of External Relations.” The evidence is hard to miss: on the UVic website, in the stories of our students and researchers, and in the university’s publications and advertising campaigns. 

She also cites strengthened relationships with all levels of government as contributing to opportunities like establishing the JID Indigenous Law program, and expanding oceans and climate research opportunities at UVic.

Community connections to both the Farquhar and the Legacy Galleries are also substantially deeper, with more Victoria Symphony performances and high-profile performers at the former and an array of new initiatives at the gallery that enhance accessibility and learning opportunities—for community audiences and UVic students alike.

Charette’s decision to step away from the role is also, in its own way, tied to a vision for the future. “In these jobs, there’s a time to come and a time to go. You have ideas about what you want to accomplish, and then you need to give the opportunity to other people to take it to the next level. It’s an evolution.”

“This team is in a good place, and I think they’ll flourish under new leadership, building on the foundation we have now.”

The marvellous memories will clearly stay with Charette, though. The range of extraordinary experiences she’s been a part of have been great—from alumni gatherings and recognition and cultural events to gallery events that are bittersweet with the pursuit of reconciliation. And she carries those moments together with appreciation for donor-driven support for the still-unwritten stories of students and researchers to come. “These are all moments where you feel a sense of community and belonging—a sense of joy and good. And that’s magic.”