Moving across the country is never easy. For Joy Diehl, Point Loma Nazarene University’s newest resident director (RD) in Hendricks Hall, the transition from Nashville, Tennessee, to Southern California is a journey defined by grace, intentionality and her undeniable passion for student ministry.
As an RD, Diehl’s role centers around shaping student life and community. Diehl spends her time meeting with students and resident assistants (RA), trains students and staff, conducts/attends meetings with staff and students and prepares for next year’s RA applications.
Prior to her arrival at PLNU, Diehl spent four years working at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville after graduating from the school with a Master of Arts in church and community. She spent two of those years working as an administrative assistant in student life and the other two as an RD. After feeling called to explore new opportunities in higher education beyond her alma mater, Diehl attended the Association for Christians in Student Development conference and decided to apply for jobs elsewhere. She said the application for PLNU fell into her lap.
“I felt very much like home in a good way,” Diehl said when reflecting on her job interview. “I felt very at peace. So then I packed up all my stuff, drove across the country, and moved my life four weeks [later].”
Stepping into Hendricks Hall meant filling the shoes of a beloved former RD, Sarah Beckham, who had been in the role for nearly eight years. Learning a new university culture while simultaneously striving to curate a healthy environment for her residents has required balance, but Diehl has embraced the challenge with humility. While continuing to walk alongside her students in their own life-changing seasons, she views the RD role as far more than an administrative desk job; for her, it’s a relational ministry.
“My goal was to work with people and do meaningful work, and to me, this work is with people, and it has purpose,” Diehl said. “[Becoming an] RD just became this way that I could do that.”
Sadie Whaley, a fourth-year applied health science major and returning Hendricks RA, said that while adjusting to new leadership always comes with a learning curve, she noticed Diehl has adjusted quickly.
“Overall, I think the transition has been pretty smooth,” Whaley said. “There’s naturally been a little bit of an adjustment and a learning curve as we’ve gotten used to each other and her leadership style, but I think she’s done a good job stepping into the role and getting to know the team and the hall.”
Whaley also highlighted Diehl’s open-door approach and genuine care for her team, particularly during high-stress weeks.
“I’d say Joy is very approachable for anyone and willing to listen,” Whaley said. “I appreciate that she creates space for us to ask questions or bring things up when we need to. … She’s been very welcoming not only into her literal space ([her] apartment) but into her life and her story.”
Eden Smith, a first-year nursing major and a resident in Hendricks Hall, praised Diehl’s seamless integration into the community.
“Honestly, if no one told me that she was new this year, I wouldn’t have noticed,” Smith said. “From my perspective, she’s been super approachable and really good about communicating. Anytime I see her, I’m greeted with a smile, and it feels natural.”
Outside of her packed schedule of weekly staff meetings, committee planning and one-on-one student check-ins, Diehl has been fully embracing her new chapter in San Diego. So far, she has picked up an annual pass to the San Diego Zoo, checked out the Little Italy farmers market and grabbed local burritos at Cotijas. She is also a lover of routine coffee rituals, currently favoring brown sugar espresso topped with Chobani cookies and cream creamer.
Diehl is making the West Coast feel like home, right alongside her students as they both navigate a new campus and chapter together.
