Joan McClendon grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended Dobbins High School. She then transitioned into her undergraduate studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She’s been a Hoosier for the past 25 years.
With a master’s degree in theology, McClendon was a leader at Saint Mary’s College for some time. While there, she was at the forefront of the school’s women’s-entrepreneurship initiative. She also founded its annual women’s conference 10 years ago, and it runs strong to this day.
For nearly a decade, McClendon even operated her own commercial cleaning business. She’s also a published author, having written “Life on the Fringe: Testimonies of Women Moving Beyond Desperation to Faith.” This helped McClendon form the foundations for her future and professional life, leading to her current endeavors.
“At the heart of who I am, I believe in people, and I believe in helping them. I didn’t have a lot of role models or mentors growing up. When I came to this area, I met a lot of people who were willing to speak into my life. Now I want to pay it forward, because others have invested in me,” McClendon said.
May 1 will mark seven years since McClendon’s been working at the University of Notre Dame. She works as the institution’s director of enrollment, culture, and community pathways. She’s been in that multi-faceted role since last November.
“I’m responsible for all things culture and engagement, specifically in the enrollment division. I measure how we’re engaging our employees,” she said. “I work to try to create more pathways for the university’s students, helping them find highly competitive places.”
McClendon’s job involves maintaining relationships with people – she believes there’s incredible importance in how she forms connections. Luckily for her, she likes interacting with and working beside others. Cultivating the customer-service aspect of her position is never a struggle.
Before stepping into her current position, McClendon served as an advisor to the university’s vice president of undergraduate enrollment. She was a chief of staff, meaning she would routinely go through collaboration processes to complete special projects. She’s not unfamiliar with what it really means to strive toward achieving goals as part of one’s vocation.
“I love challenges, and I ensure we’re delivering on what we say in terms of our objectives,” she said. “I’m a pretty reluctant leader; I don’t believe in drawing a lot of attention to yourself to get stuff done. I feel like I have a gift of leadership, so I’m going to get the job done.”
There are certain things McClendon strives for above all else. One thing in particular sticks out has to do with her desire to leave behind something that lasts. Beyond that, she’s sure to be mindful of her own actions, no matter where they happen or what they’re associated with. She recognizes she’s been given a chance to enable others to follow in her footsteps, allowing strangers to dream because of her background and how far she herself has come.
“I hope to create an impact. My main goals are to make sure I’m holding myself accountable and to make sure I’m doing well in our division,” she said. “It humbles me that the inner-city girl from Philadelphia has this cool opportunity to be at one of the most prestigious universities in the world and how blessed am I to be able to empower others.”
McClendon has her personal board of directors around her, or people who have spoken to her deeply in her life. Her board is made up of those who have provided her with direction, and the members come from different places. One of them is her husband, Cary, who also serves as her co-chair. Some others include her closest friends and her therapist.
McClendon spends her free time hanging out with those in her friend group. She enjoys traveling to Utah to experience its national parks, such as Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Her husband has also always been her fellow traveler and hiker. Much of her efforts go into preserving Potawatomi Zoo, as she sits on the organization’s board.
As a resident in the Michiana area, McClendon looks forward to all the growth in the region to come in the next several years. Her sights are set on the newness of general developments that surely will be offered.
“I love Michiana. Everything is accessible, and I’m excited about the growth that is occurring in South Bend. For the first time in history, the University of Notre Dame has included the community as part of its strategic framework, so that excites me,” she said. “I think that there’s going to be so many awesome things happening here. In the next five to 10 years, this place is going to be rocking.”