Leon Mhingiro was named the Class of 2026’s Outstanding Senior during the Homecoming football game on Nov. 8. Nine other seniors were also recognized at the game as the top 10 finalists.
The Outstanding Senior finalists were voted for by their peers in the weeks leading up to Homecoming weekend. The Outstanding Senior honor celebrates students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic excellence and meaningful contributions to the Vanderbilt community.
Campus involvement
Leon Mhingiro, a Student Ambassador for Vandy in Finance, said much of his involvement on campus has centered around mentorship and access to careers in finance. On campus, he also served as co-president of the Vanderbilt Finance Club, new member educator for Alpha Kappa Psi and a resident advisor for three years.
“Helping students find confidence in their own stories and careers has been the most fulfilling part of my Vanderbilt journey,” Mhingiro said. “Seeing someone leave my office surer of themselves and their potential reminds me [of] why I do what I do.”
He previously interned at Morgan Stanley as an investment banking analyst, where he will return full-time after graduation. Mhingiro said he hopes to continue mentoring others in the workplace just as he has at Vanderbilt.
“It feels rewarding to know that I can carry forward the mentorship and confidence I found here,” Mhingiro said.
Stephanie Yu, a filmmaker and neuroscience researcher, uses creative storytelling to serve others by amplifying unheard voices and sparking empathy through film. On campus, she’s been involved with Basement Films, Alternative Spring Break, Vanderbilt Photo Society, Social ’Dores and research at the Mona Mashayekhi Lab at VUMC, while volunteering as a NICU music resource at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.
“Film and service intersect for me,” Yu said. “My ASB trip to a rehabilitation farm and screening my documentary at the Nashville Film Festival both reminded me that storytelling can heal and teach.”
Sydney Brown, president of Vanderbilt’s NAACP chapter and senator of the National Society for Black Engineers, said one of her most meaningful experiences on campus was heading a long-term volunteering initiative with NAACP.
“We created a partnership with Dream Streets, which is an after-school organization for under-privileged youth throughout the Nashville area. That was really cool and has continued to this day where we have a partnership with the organization,” Brown said.
Harper Dale, vice president of education for Kappa Alpha Theta and of community service for Delta Sigma Pi, described her motivation in establishing the Vanderbilt Society for Suicide Prevention.
“One thing I found really profound was, about a year ago, when there was a tragedy that struck campus with the death of a peer. I knew I wanted to do something that would make an impact,” Dale said. “I started with a headshot fundraiser with my business fraternity. We were able to make over $2,300 for the American Foundation of Suicide Awareness and later on I wanted to do more, so I created the Vanderbilt Society for Suicide Prevention.”
Dale further detailed the formation of the organization and its impact on students.
“We just worked together as an organization to create flyer[s] to spread across campus that encouraged support and little ways you [could] impact everyone. I was able to get some feedback that it did help someone along the day and made them smile or feel like they were worthy or cared about,” Dale said. “I was able to connect with some underclassmen on campus through the club, and the fact that it was able to impact at least one person meant a lot to me.”
Giving back to the community
Sarah Qaddo volunteers as a clinical interpreter at Siloam Health, serving Arabic-speaking immigrant and refugee families.
“Having once been the child translating for my parents, it feels full-circle to now help other families communicate with their doctors,” Qaddo said. “Language can restore dignity and trust.”
Kennith Lee, president of the Vanderbilt Asian Pre-Professional Society and Korean Undergraduate Student Association, worked with the Student Consultants for Nonprofit Organization to support a childcare organization in Nashville.
“When SCNO announced their client group, one of the organizations was Equally Created, which helped with access to childcare. We were helping the founder, who was working from the basement of a church,” Lee said. “They wanted help [with] finding a permanent location and [handling] expenses, so we were able to help them and now they currently operate in their own permanent function.”
Elise Harris, a three-year RA on Commons and board member of Vanderbilt Student Communications, said her most transformative experiences came through Vanderbilt Immersion programs, where she completed the Capoeira Immersion to Bahia, Brazil alongside AADS students, immersing in Afro-Brazilian history and culture.
“The most transformative experiences for me were my Immersion trips,” Harris said. “Each experience was eye-opening and changed the way I learn at Vanderbilt and see the world. I’ve immersed with so many fellow Commodores, stepped outside of my comfort zone, and made a ton of memories.”
Advice to underclassmen
Aja Halbert, vice president of Mu Rho Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and co-outreach chair for Vanderbilt Black Student Association, emphasized the importance of growth during her time at Vanderbilt.
“Challenge yourself, whether in academics or social life. It’s important to step outside of your comfort zone in order for you to grow,” Halbert said.
Catherine Reller, co-president of WilSkills and a founding member of Vanderbilt’s Plant Futures chapter, encouraged students not to give up when things may not go as planned.
“My biggest piece of advice would be to not be scared of rejection. On this campus, we already worked so hard to get here, and there are so many incredible opportunities, and sometimes things don’t work out the first time around,” Reller said. “Just keep trying, keep sticking your neck out, and listen to feedback. Everyone on this campus is so welcoming and wants you to grow.”
Brown also discussed the importance of building relationships and utilizing the opportunities on campus.
“It’s okay to be vulnerable, and vulnerability helps you form some of the strongest relationships. That is something I didn’t really recognize until I got to Vanderbilt in a collegiate environment,” Brown said. “I would also say to take advantage of all of Vanderbilt’s resources: Opportunities to travel, opportunities to form relationships with professors or fun activities. Always ask and try to find out as many resources as you can.
Christina Lee, a Child Development and Medicine, Health & Society double major, channels her empathy through healthcare and faith communities. She leads the Global Medical Missions Alliance, volunteers at the VA Hospital, mentors youth at Unity Baptist Church and serves Alzheimer’s patients through Vanderbilt AlzBuddies. Christina added that balance and presence matter most.
“To truly give your best, you have to say no sometimes,” Lee said. “Be fully present where you are rather than trying to be everywhere.”
