Today@Sam Article

Commencement Spotlight: Ranada Mingo (w/video)

May 6, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Amber Wood

Ranada Mingo
Ringgold, Louisiana
Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Ranada Mingo's journey through higher education is a powerful reminder that success is defined by perseverance, not circumstance. 

As a first-generation college student, she had no roadmap. Sam Houston State University offered more than an education—it was a lifeline, a community and the place where she proved to herself that she could rise, regardless of the odds.

"No matter where you come from, or what life throws at you, you have a place here," Mingo said. "You have a support system waiting on you and are going to grow." 

Growing up, Mingo moved often between Louisiana and Texas. Her early years were shaped by transition, uncertainty and independence. With determination guiding her way, she applied to as many colleges as she could, eager to find a place where she belonged. But after visiting two campuses late in the process, Sam Houston State stood out. The welcoming environment, the people and the sense of community made the decision clear. She hasn't looked back since.

"In sixth grade, I was told I needed to decide what I wanted to study in college," she said. "I didn't know much at the time, I was just a kid. But I knew I loved math." 

A simple search for degrees that aligned with her interests led her to accounting, which seemed like the most challenging and rewarding option. Though her first accounting class wasn’t what she expected, she fell in love with the problem-solving aspect.

“When I fix something, it gives me real satisfaction,” she said. “That’s when I knew I’d stick with it.”

Like many new students, her freshman year brought challenges. Mingo kept mostly to herself during her first semester at Sam, observing the campus community from a safe distance. 

Her involvement quickly expanded in her second semester, when she landed a job and joined several organizations. She became a College of Business Administration (COBA) Ambassador, a member of the Orange Keys and a campus ambassador. She also volunteered extensively, including over 100 hours with the SHSU Helpline, a student-run service that offers peer support and campus resource referrals.

“It’s not a crisis line, but a space for people to be heard,” she said. “I loved being that person for someone else.”

Despite her growing success on campus, life threw her a devastating challenge at the start of her junior year in the form of a family-related obstacle.

“I reached out for help, which is something I don’t usually do,” she said. “I had meeting after meeting with faculty and staff, trying to figure out how to stay in school. They deserve so much more than a thank you. They helped me endlessly.”

That effort paid off when her community at SHSU stepped up. The TRIO program, which supports first-generation students, played a critical role in keeping her afloat.

“I spoke with counselors in TRIO, and they really did everything they could to make sure I had the resources I needed,” she said. “They checked in on me, supported me and helped me stay on track.”

She also found encouragement from COBA and her professors, many of whom responded with empathy and real solutions when she shared what she was going through.

As she prepares to graduate, Mingo reflects on how much has changed and how – through her support network – she was able to persevere.

“I thought I knew everything when I started college, but now I feel clear-minded,” she said. “I’m more realistic. I know that downfalls will come, but they build you. You just can’t give up.”

Mingo is already working as a senior personal banker and has been contacted by multiple accounting firms interested in her potential. Her next goals include becoming certified as a CPA and growing in her career, one step at a time.

“The community is what I will miss most about Sam,” she said. “I’ve really felt like I belonged here. The people, the events, the support—it all made me feel seen and valued.”

From a quiet first semester to an impactful senior year filled with leadership and service, Mingo has made her mark on SHSU. Her story isn’t just about reaching the finish line, it’s about how she built herself into someone ready to lead, ready to serve and ready for whatever comes next.

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