Born and raised in Los Angeles, Gail moved to Northern California and then, at age 16, relocated to Saudi Arabia and completed high school in Beirut, Lebanon. With family back in Oklahoma, she attended the University of Tulsa, where she became a member of Chi Omega. She spent time in Arizona, where her parents have since retired, and through various career transitions, including serving as a Director of Finance for a school district, she raised two children and welcomed four grandsons into the world. She currently serves as the house director at Oklahoma State University’s Phi Upsilon Chapter.
Why did you become a house director and why Tri Delta?
“I lived in Stillwater 10 years ago and was a house director for a fraternity. When my situation changed and I became a caregiver for my dad, I ended up in Colorado for 4 years, working as the Space Use and Building Operations Coordinator for the College of Engineering and Applied Science in Boulder, Colorado. I returned to Stillwater because I preferred life in a smaller city. This opportunity to be a house director for Tri Delta came up, and I was excited to apply for it—this time working with women in this age group—and here I am 2 years later!”
How do you find work-life balance?
“I’ve always found a good work-life balance. I choose to eat meals with the women, attend chapter events and participate in house activities. The women understand this is my full-time home and respect my space and boundaries. They know that my door is always open when I’m here. I regularly spend time with my family who live in town. Even when I am away from the house, everyone knows I’m only a few minutes away if they need me.”
What do you love about being a house director?
“It’s incredibly rewarding to play a role in these women’s lives during such a pivotal time. I enjoy encouraging them and being part of helping them fulfill their dreams. It feels like I am truly ‘home,’ and I’ve always felt welcomed and appreciated. It’s so much fun to be part of the energy of the house and being involved in their events. These women are so much fun to be around and their enthusiasm is contagious. Life would be pretty quiet without them.”
What does a typical week look like for you?
“My typical week involves supporting various activities, taking care of house maintenance and responding to any repairs or issues. I always check the calendar for important dates like Founders’ Day and visits from the Executive Office or alumnae. The women are responsible and know their jobs and I am here for guidance and making sure the house is running smoothly and remains a safe place to live. Each week looks different depending on what’s going on that week.”
How has being a house director contributed to your growth and Development personally and professionally?
“I’ve learned to let go of my ‘take charge’ management style and trust that the women will get things done—which they always do, just on their time, not mine. I’ve learned to really trust them because they are incredibly mature and take care of their business. I’ve also learned the importance of staying out of drama and just staying flexible with life, following the women’s lead.”
Do you have advice for anyone considering becoming a house director?
“I have three main pieces of advice: Stay out of drama, be patient and go with the flow. If you don’t overreact, they won’t overreact. Understand that you’re here to guide the women and not to assert your opinion. Keep listening and be open to learning and you’ll get the most out of this position and will have an amazing experience.”
If you are interested in learning more about our house director careers, we encourage you to visit the Tri Delta Housing Career Page,Tri Delta Housing Job Board or email hr@trideltaeo.org for more information.