You can catch this Blazer at the College of Education, leading NAACP toward success, or relaxing with her line sisters! Meet our newest campus Celebrity, Ashleigh K. Mansfield!
Name: Ashleigh Ketrece Mansfield
Major: Early Childhood Education
Classification: Graduate Student
Hometown: Americus, GA
HC: What organizations are you involved in?
AKM: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., NAACP (President), Student Council for Exceptional Children (Vice President), Black History Month Committee.
HC: Why did you decide to attend VSU?
AKM: In high school there were only two schools I wanted to attend, and they were VSU and Spelman College. After touring VSU’s campus, talking to students and professors, and looking at my finances, it was evident that VSU was the place for me. Plus, it’s only an hour and forty-five minutes from home!
HC: Who inspires you and why?
AKM: My mother is my biggest inspiration. She was a first generation college student in her family. She went to Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, where she was only one of five African American students that attended there at that time. She went on to receive not one degree, but three degrees in education. Her story has always influenced me to be the best student and person I can be.
HC: What is your biggest accomplishment to date?
AKM: Just this past week I was the recipient of the Overall Outstanding Student Award for the department of Early Childhood and Special Education. There are over 150 students, undergraduate and graduate combined, in that department. To have my professors nominate me, and me actually winning that award was an honor.
HC: What legacy do you hope to leave at VSU?
AKM: When I leave VSU I hope to leave the legacy of being hardworking and passionate. I, along with my executive board in NAACP, have revamped the organization to a very high standard. We had to work to get NAACP back up to where it was 3 years ago. I hope when people say my name around campus when I am gone, they can say “Ashleigh was a hard working woman on this campus. She has done some great things for VSU and the Valdosta Community.”
HC: Aside from academics and organizations, what do you like to do for fun?
AKM: I love to shop! I think it may be an addiction! I also love to hang out with my friends and my line sisters! Whenever I’m not shopping or hanging out with my friends or LSs, I like to read novels and write short stories.
HC: What’s a fun fact about you that no one knows?
AKM: Most people don’t know that I danced Ballet, Tap, and Jazz for 9 years. I stopped dancing after becoming a cheerleader in the 6th grade.
HC: Favorite celebrity?
AKM: I don’t have a favorite celebrity, but I can say I love Tariji P. Henson! That’s a bad woman! I remember when she started acting! It’s like I have seen her evolve since she started! ANd who doesn’t love Cookie from Empire?! #TeamCookie
HCxo!