Presbyterian College in Clinton recently announced the appointment of Rhonda L. Mingo as its new Dean of Students. Mingo brings nearly three decades of experience in student affairs to the institution, focusing on student development, leadership, and success both inside and outside the classroom.
Mingo joins Presbyterian College from Converse University in Spartanburg, where she most recently held the position of assistant vice president for student engagement and dean of students. Her career has encompassed leadership roles in various aspects of student life, including residential life, student activities, student conduct, crisis response, student retention, and leadership development.
Dr. Anita Gustafson, President of Presbyterian College, expressed enthusiasm for Mingo’s arrival, highlighting her extensive experience, collaborative approach, and dedication to students as an ideal fit for the college community. Gustafson noted that Mingo understands the comprehensive nature of the college experience and the importance of creating supportive environments where students feel challenged and known.
Before her most recent role at Converse, Mingo served for ten years as the dean of community life and dean of students, a position she held until 2025. In that capacity, she was a member of the President’s Cabinet and Provost’s Council, overseeing a wide range of programs including residential life, student conduct, student activities, leadership and orientation, first-generation programs, civic engagement, health services, and counseling and wellness.
Mingo also chaired Converse Cares, the university’s behavioral intervention committee, and was a leader on its Student Success Committee. Her involvement extended to emergency response efforts, overseeing residence hall modernization projects, and teaching a first-year Student Success Seminar.
Earlier in her career at Converse, Mingo served as assistant dean of students for engagement and learning and as the chief housing officer, managing residence hall operations and long-range facilities planning. She also supervised staff responsible for housing, student activities, first-year programs, and major events.
Throughout her career, Mingo has emphasized connecting campus programming with the broader educational mission of colleges. In her application to Presbyterian College, she described herself as highly collaborative and stressed the importance of integrating students’ curricular and co-curricular experiences, while also maintaining a direct connection with students in senior administrative roles.
Mingo has taught a Student Success Seminar at Converse since 2007 and has trained student government and student activities leaders. She is also a trained StrengthsQuest educator. Her professional leadership includes serving as president of the South Carolina College Personnel Association from 2009-2010. She continues to work with student leaders nationally through the National Association for Campus Activities, where she was a lead presenter and trainer for the Programming Institute in 2025 and the Student Government Institute in 2026.
Mingo earned a Master of Education in student personnel services from the University of South Carolina in 1997 and a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, with an emphasis in marketing and speech communications, from the University of South Carolina Aiken in 1995. Prior to joining Converse, she was director of student activities at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee.
