About
Meet Shelley Liscom, an Alpha Phi from Oregon State. She’s a mom to two adult sons and spent 33 years as an educator. Back in 2022, with her sons out of the house, she started job hunting online from her rural Oregon home. A friend who is a Tri Delta from Oregon State mentioned house director positions, and Shelley navigated through Tri Delta’s website to find housing career opportunities. Since Shelley has family in Indiana (where she grew up until age 12), the Butler house director role felt like a natural fit!
How did you become a house director and why did you choose Tri Delta?
“The Tri Delta website was so straightforward and user-friendly. Once I applied, I didn’t bother looking anywhere else. After years as a teacher, coach and principal at the high school and elementary school levels, I missed the older student dynamic. I am a bit more relaxed now that I’m not parenting; I get along with everyone, and my experience as a high school teacher made me feel confident that I would thrive in this role.”
How do you find work-life balance in the role?
“Balancing work and life is all about mindset. In the first semester, I worried that something might go wrong if I stepped away from the house, but I realized how capable the women are and shifted my thinking. Now, I’m in a space where I know I can step out for some balance, and things will still run smoothly. The location [of the house] in Indianapolis is a plus—I’m always close by, no matter where I need to be. I love volunteering, attending classes on campus and meeting new people and I can do these things and thrive as the house director. Plus, being closer to the East Coast means I can see my boys often! It’s the little advantages that make a big difference.”
What do you love about being a house director?
“Two years in, this role has been a lifesaver for me. I was in a tough spot, thinking about being alone at home. Despite having wonderful friends, I worried about what that might feel like. But having a bigger nest with these women and community made the past year simply incredible. It’s about those personal connections that make life feel rich and lived. This role has been so rewarding—I’ve formed relationships with the women that aren’t quite parental but fill that capacity when they need a parental figure. I feel like the go-to person after they’ve exhausted every other resource.”
What does a typical week look like for you?
“My house director apartment is adjacent to the TV room. I often laugh to myself when I hear their laughter and giggles, making it hard for me to sleep. My daily routine involves walking through the house, tidying up and maintaining the kitchen area. I handle vendor deliveries, coordinate with the cleaning service and have a mid-morning chat with the chef before the busy lunch hour kicks in. I’m present during meal times, both lunch and dinner and remain available if the women need assistance. I carve out about two hours to run errands. After dinner, I ensure the house is well-stocked for the next day. I try to be naturally available, avoiding the need for anyone to hunt me down. Doors are locked at 11:00 p.m., and I settle in for the night.”
How has being a house director contributed to your growth and development—professionally and/or personally?
“Reconnecting with adults of this age group has been a source of personal joy for me. Professionally, it’s allowed me to leverage the skills I acquired during my time in education like overseeing school buildings and fire marshal inspections. I’ve been able to learn a great deal more about property management, building maintenance and how to troubleshoot tricky situations independently before seeking help. It’s also been a journey of developing problem-solving skills and ownership.
“Tri Delta’s annual House Director Conference has also been a huge asset in growing personally and professionally. Meeting and connecting with other house directors and receiving training is priceless!”
What advice do you have for those interested in being a house director?
Shelley gave some great advice to those considering the role of a house director. She says, “Remember not to blow minor issues out of proportion. It’s important to be responsible while staying adaptable. Life will throw situations at you, and handling them without overreacting is essential. Living alongside these ladies 24/7 demands flexibility.”
Shelley adds, “Make a conscious effort to reconnect with residents if you haven’t seen them for a few days. Take the initiative to catch up and maintain those connections. It’s so worth it.”
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.