Heavy is the head that wears the crown: Mister ULM 2025 Vincent Winston II is no exception. The junior political science major recognizes the importance of his status as campus royalty. Winston seeks to develop the legacy of Mister ULM as a titleholder in his own right.
Created in 2018, Mister ULM served only as an escort to Miss ULM. He helped the newly crowned Miss ULM prepare for the Miss Louisiana competition, assisting in community outreach and appearing at events. As the titleholders shouldered more responsibilities, Mister ULM evolved from an escort to a campus figurehead.
Seven years later, Winston earned the title of Mister ULM after competing against junior criminal justice major Howard Hatten and freshman music major Tavis Caldwell. With his new crown and sash, Winston wondered how he—a preacher’s son from Bastrop, Louisiana—could leave a lasting impact on the community as Mister ULM.
“You have to make your own legacy, and you have to build this name for Mr. ULM,” Winston said. “I want to be the one to help change the narrative.”
Winston is no stranger to the pressure of building a legacy. Named after his father, Winston quickly recognized the weight of his namesake. His father, Vincent Winston, serves as the pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, leading community outreach and welcoming new parishioners. Through his work, Winston’s father established himself as more than a pastor behind a pulpit; he is a community leader.
“I look up to my dad as one of my heroes,” Winston said. “Even though he was busy and always working, he still was always there for us. That’s one thing I want to strive for: to be like him.”
Mister ULM’s admiration for his father drove him to seek success in everything he does. Along with serving as Mister ULM, Winston is a member of various registered student organizations (RSOs) on campus. He serves as a university representative with 31 Ambassadors, communicating with faculty and alumni. He plans career-oriented programs for students. He attends events hosted by the Black Student Union and encourages student engagement as a member of College Democrats.
“I am trying to get the students on campus to see that they have a Mister and Miss ULM who are active and who wants them to participate in the things that we do,” Winston said. “I feel that part of my job is to support all groups, organizations and individuals on campus.”
Winston needed to create a Community Service Initiative (CSI) as part of his titleholder responsibilities. After reflecting on his transition from high school to college, he decided to target the stigma surrounding mental health. His CSI, “Cookies and Conversations,” promotes discussions about mental well-being and self-care.
“I wanted to highlight the importance of making sure you’re taking care of your mental health,” Winston said. “Know that it’s okay to take a step back if you need to take a step back. It’s okay to reach out to someone if you need to reach out to someone because that’s something I had to learn.”
According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 60% of college students experience mental health issues. While ULM offers free mental health services at the ULM Self-Development, Counseling and Special Accommodations Center, Winston wants to increase student awareness of these resources. To Winston, asking for help is not a sign of weakness but of strength.
Winston collaborated with the ULM Self Development, Counseling and Special Accommodations Center to promote De-Stress Day. On March 25, the center organized a campuswide relaxation event, complete with yoga and therapy dogs.
Until he relinquishes his crown next November, Mister ULM plans to organize campus events and outreaches to destigmatize having conversations about mental health. More information about his collaborations with Miss ULM and the ULM Self-Development, Counseling and Special Accommodations Center will become available later in the semester.
Through his work as Mister ULM, Winston not only lives up to the legacy of his hero and namesake, but he is also transforming the role of Mister ULM on and off campus.
“I want to make sure that everybody knows, and everybody sees we have a Mr. ULM who cares about what he’s doing,” Winston said. “I just know that is what I want my legacy to be. He did his job, and he did it well.”
