Meet Patsy, house director at Mississippi’s Chi Chapter! Patsy earned her degree in textiles, merchandising and design from the University of Wyoming. She uses her love for art, design and décor to put her personal touch on Tri Delta’s largest house at Ole Miss. As an animal lover, Patsy adopted a stray cat affectionately named Pearl, who brings the women joy daily. Patsy is a proud mom of two daughters and a grandmother to three.
Why Tri Delta?
Patsy joined Tri Delta in 2019 as a substitute house director when friend and board member Nicole Smith mentioned the opportunity. She embraced the role, returning after Christmas break as a full-time house director, and has since enjoyed calling Oxford, Mississippi, her home.
What does a typical week look like for you?
“There’s never a dull moment in a 45,000-square-foot facility with 106 beds! Every day starts with a walkthrough of both the inside and outside of the house to ensure everything is running smoothly. With over 600 people to feed for lunch and dinner, I open the kitchen for meals, which are always filled with community and connection. You’ll find me working closely with housekeeping throughout the week, coordinating maintenance tasks and filling in wherever needed. I’m very hands-on and involved, constantly interacting with our staff of around 40 people to keep everything running smoothly. My love for design also plays a big role, as I find creative ways to make the Ole Miss house feel like a true home.”
What have you enjoyed about serving as a house director?
“I love everything about it! The women, the various challenges, and the culture! It is like running a hotel. I enjoy the excitement I get from the women. You think they don’t notice what you do for them, but they do. They’re grateful, and that’s rewarding. This role has brought me a new community and a space to learn about each woman, allowing me to be a safety net when they need me. It brings me such joy when they return after graduation to visit.”
How has being a house director contributed to your growth and development—professionally and/or personally?
“I’ve learned so much in this role, from navigating HR and staff management to workers’ comp. I wasn’t in a sorority, so I’ve also gained a deeper understanding of sorority life, from the various leadership roles the women hold to how we operate as an organization at Executive Office.
Personally, I have learned patience, quick problem-solving and how to be solution-oriented. I’m also proud of the positive culture I’ve created for our staff. It’s rewarding to see how the changes I’ve made—from reevaluating operations to hiring an executive chef—have made the house a better place for everyone. And we make time for fun too (like hosting after-football-game parties) and fostering a true sense of community.”
How do you find work-life balance?
“I have found a community with other house directors on campus. I often find balance doing Pilates four times a week, shopping on the weekends and making time for music, art and food. Having a grand piano in the house allows me to further my love for music, something that I have studied my whole life. This position allows time to spend with my family, which is also very important to me.”
What advice do you have for people who want to be a House Director?
“If you love learning new things daily and building lasting connections with the women, their families and the staff, this role is perfect for you. Every day is unique, and there’s never a dull moment. One day, you might be a caterer or event planner, and the next, a supervisor, organizer or even a contractor. It’s a position for someone who truly enjoys being a ‘jack of all trades’ and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.”