Brandon Tittle, the new assistant dean of students, took over his new position on Aug. 1. Tittle, who is in charge of overseeing the residence hall program, specifically for men’s dorms, will work closely with resident assistants and the resident life coordinators and address any other residential problems.
Tittle is not just a rule enforcer though; he said he wants students to know where his office is (the office of Student Life) and that he is available to help with all problems, at any time.
Ranan Hester, the assistant dean of students for women, said she encourages everyone to come get to know her coworker and even start up a friendship with him.
“He is very open, and he wants and encourages that,” Hester said. “And that’s why I would encourage kids to come up here for reasons besides discipline. It’s nice having someone up here when it’s nothing to do with discipline.”
Tittle graduated from Harding in 2004 with a degree in youth and family ministry, and completed a master’s in ministry in 2006. Tittle went to work for Harding in 2005 as a graduate assistant.
Before becoming assistant dean, Tittle was the associate director for the Mitchell Center in the College of Bible and Ministry. He directed Uplift and spring break mission trips and advised for the leadership and ministry major.
Tittle said his plan of attack for adapting to his new job is to lay low and scope out the way the residence halls are operating before he makes any changes of his own.
“Currently I’m planning on just doing a lot of observation, and doing what’s been done in the past, and then as I spend the first year or two observing, then I’ll offer suggestions,” Tittle said. “I have a lot to learn right now.”
Outside of work, Tittle said his favorite activity is having fun with his family. He is married and has two children and one foster child.
“We have movie nights, we like playing outside in the backyard,” Tittle said. “We’re starting soccer this season, so that will be fun.”
The Tittle’s favorite family activity is cooking.
“We like to cook. My kids like helping us cook,” Tittle said. “We like trying new stuff, I like cooking seafood, but we don’t do it that often.”
Overall, Tittle said he took the position as assistant dean of students because of the impact Harding has on students.
“(I have seen what Harding) has to offer for young people,” Tittle said. “And now I’m going to be a part of that.”
