Three Signs Brought Strickland-Burdette to Res Life at Piedmont
Joe Strickland-Burdette wasn't looking for a job when fate tapped him on the shoulder three times about an opening at Piedmont University.
Strickland-Burdette was taking a break from higher education and loving his work. He and his husband, Mark, had a dog sitting/daycare business in Anderson, South Carolina, with more than 200 satisfied and loyal clients.
“From about 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. every day, I'd be out walking dogs, checking in, giving medicine if they need it, things like that. I've always just had a love for animals,” Strickland-Burdette said. “I wasn't even looking for a job. Mark and I discussed it, and he knew how much I missed working with college students.”
Strickland-Burdette had previously held residence life positions at his alma mater, LaGrange College, and served as Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Clemson University. He earned an undergraduate degree in history with minors/concentrations in writing, anthropology, and sociology and a master's degree in teaching secondary social studies. He planned to teach history to high school students but started working for Residence Life while a grad student at LaGrange.
Strickland-Burdette was also one of the youngest-ever Men's and Women's Cross Country coaches in Division III history. He coached LaGrange's only Women's Individual Conference Champion (USA South), leading both the men's and women's teams to their highest conference finishes and the NCAA Regionals for the first time.
While at LaGrange, Strickland-Burdette worked with Piedmont alumna Kayla Watson (BA, 2013/MBA, 2015). They became close and kept in touch when he moved on to Clemson. Watson, now Associate Director at the Georgia Tech Center for Student Engagement, told Strickland-Burdette about Piedmont's open Director of Residence Life role. Watson also recommended him to Vice President of Student Life Dr. Kim Crawford, who invited Strickland-Burdette to apply.
Then came Hurricane Helene, a fatal, fast-moving rainmaker that wiped small towns off the map in several Southeast states. Helene spared the Strickland-Burdett home, but some neighbors lost everything.
When Dr. Crawford called a second time, Strickland-Burdette was convinced. Referring to the additional outreach as unheard of, he said Piedmont began to feel “meant to be” the next step in his family's journey.
Piedmont already has a reputation as an exceptionally safe campus. Still, Strickland-Burdette has some changes in mind that will improve student safety further. He will review demographics in the residence halls to “create supportive spaces where all residents can successfully thrive.” He also welcomes suggestions, especially from students themselves.
Three days after Strickland-Burdette's November arrival, a post on the popular and anonymous YikYak app (Piedmont version) suggested a student on campus was considering self-harm. Strickland-Burdette, who had already become fast friends with Piedmont University Campus Police Chief Jim Andrews, insisted on going through the residence halls to remind students how much they matter. While the YikYak poster's identity may never be known, the efforts of Strickland-Burdette, Andrews, and campus police may have helped the students realize that people care.
“The most empowering thing to me was, once we started going door to door seeing students and saying, ‘Please don't do this. We want you here,' and sharing through the Piedmont app that Residence Life and Campus Police were out in the residence halls and were there to help and encourage them to reach out; it solidified for me that this is where I need to be where I'm supposed to be,” Strickland-Burdette said.
Being the top dog over residence life is clearly demanding, with serious situations, strange hours, and notorious surprises (frozen pipes, anyone?). Strickland-Burdette comes equipped to serve thanks partly to his grandparents, who influenced him most growing up. Papa Roger was a police officer, and Nanny Margie was a nurse. The lesson Strickland-Burdette learned was to offer aid, comfort, and support to everyone who needs help, no matter who they are, and to throw in some tough love as well.
“At the end of the day, we come from different backgrounds. We have different experiences, but we do share one. What we have in common here is being a member of the Piedmont community. We take care of that family like we would take care of our biological or chosen family,” Strickland-Burdette said. “I can give you that reality check, give you a little bit of support, a little bit of love. That's what I do. I'll figure out what's happening and try to get you back on the right track. We are here to serve the students.”
“I am excited to have Joe join us as the Director of Residence Life,” Crawford said. “He brings a fresh perspective on how we can continue to improve student satisfaction for our campus community.”
An essential start to the foundation of caring Strickland-Burdette is building will be recognizing the hard work Resident Assistants (RAs) do and honoring their efforts. He would also like to grow Greek Life at Piedmont beyond its one College Panhellenic Association sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, and one National Pan-Hellenic Council chapter, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
The Strickland-Burdettes have settled in on campus, and the Piedmont community is getting used to seeing their furry family members, Atticus (a Lab/Staffy/Dachshund mix) and Artemis (a German Shepherd/Dingo mix).
“Everyone has been so welcoming,” Strickland-Burdette said. “As soon as I moved down here, Mark told me, ‘I can tell how much happier you are. You're back in your element.'”
