If there ever was an ideal image of black excellence, Monique “Mo” Mansfield fits the description. She is the epitome of determination, grit and tenacity. It doesn’t hurt that she can play the French horn also.
Often referred to as “Mo”, Mansfield is a Senior at Alcorn State University who is preparing for graduation in May. A native of Detroit, Michigan, she is a long way from home but according to her, she wanted to attend Alcorn because of the school’s peaceful environment. She adds, “It didn’t hurt that they offered me a band scholarship as well.”
Mansfield’s love for music began at an early age as well. She started playing the violin at the age of 11 then later picked up the saxophone. Five years later, she would go on to learn how to play the mellophone.
She stated she was not accustomed to small city living but her extracurricular activities keep her busy. Mansfield is in the Honor Student Organization, a writer for Odyssey Online, an online digital publication, a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), a member of Lambda Pi Eta, a member of the Mass Communications Club, a staff writer for The Campus Chronicle, an executive producer for Alcorn State University (ASU TV-13) television and an Assistant Producer for the web show, Jupiter Road. In her leisure time she enjoys playing the mellophone, French horn and saxophone for Alcorn’s Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite Marching Band. Her favorite song to play is June 27 by DJ Screw.
She stated, “It’s not stressful juggling all of my various activities because it keeps me busy and I enjoy it.” Then again Mansfield is no stranger to multitasking as she has done it since she attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit. During her 4 years there, she played a host of sports including basketball, varsity softball and swimming, studied a Chemical Biological curriculum and wrote for her school newspaper, CT Visionaries, all while maintaining a 3.2 grade point average (GPA). Furthermore, it was her writing for her high school’s newspaper and her newspaper teacher, Ms. Jones, that made her realize her passion and love for writing. She knew that she wanted to major in Mass Communications one day.
Mansfield’s positive outlook comes from friends and family. She stated, “I always keep positive people around me and the people in the Mass Communications department have been like a family to me.”
On the heels of graduation, Mansfield is nervous but she is excited for what her future holds. She plans to further her education in graduate school at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. She ultimately aspires to own her own production company one day.