For Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) Outstanding Graduate Diana Mankin, helping young people get closer to God is at the top of her to-do list.
After coming to know Christ through a radical conversion during her junior year of high school, the Jacksonville local realized she wanted to pursue ministry. While she didn’t grow up in a Christian family, she recalls how her church’s youth pastor welcomed her and poured into her life.
“I remember wanting to do that for the rest of my life,” says Mankin, who will earn her degree in ministry leadership studies with a concentration in pastoral studies. “I want to be someone who can be that support for future generations, who can help bring Christ to people and help them better follow Him.”
A Call to Ministry
After becoming a believer, Mankin started volunteering at church camps, where her love for youth ministry grew. Her friend Julia (and later, college roommate) introduced her to PBA, where she received a Farish Scholarship—a full-ride—for all four years. Soon after setting foot in West Palm Beach, she quickly got plugged in.
Having also developed a big heart for missions and outreach, Mankin knew she wanted to serve in CM Global, PBA’s flagship service abroad program. She led a trip to Portugal in the spring 2024 semester, focused on community-building with high school and middle school students through conversations, games, and sports.
Mankin says she’s grateful for PBA’s focus on spiritual formation, including weekly bible studies, chapels, and Anchor Worship, that empowered her to grow as a student, leader, and Christ follower.
She also fell in love with the academic side of ministry and studying the Bible deeply.
“There is so much intentionality in pointing students to Jesus, giving them hope and skills to equip them to be in the workforce through vocational ministry,” she reflects. “I also loved meeting with professors outside of class to pick their brains about different topics. The one-on-one time is what pushed me forward and stretched me.”
“All Those Extra Hours Were Worth It!”
When she learned she’d been named the Outstanding Graduate of the School of Ministry, she couldn’t believe it.
“I didn’t know this was an award you could get—I was super honored,” says Mankin. “I was honored because, out of all the many amazing students, I was selected. It was a moment of ‘Wow, this paid off—all those extra hours were worth it.’”
Dr. Jonathan Grenz, dean of the School of Ministry and professor of ministry and leadership, says Mankin made a strong impression on him when she visited PBA as a high school senior.
““Diana quickly proved herself to be an exemplary School of Ministry student, excelling academically while remaining deeply engaged and thoughtful in every setting,” says Dr. Grenz. “Her work was consistently well-researched and articulate, and she had a rare ability to ask meaningful questions that bridged theory and real-world ministry. Beyond the classroom, Diana stepped confidently into ministry, serving faithfully at a local church in West Palm Beach. She is a gifted and powerful teacher. Her character sincerely reflects the fruit of the Spirit, no matter the circumstance, and the heart we hope to see in every ministry student.”
This summer, Mankin will move to Kentucky with her husband, where she’ll begin a full-time church residency position at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville. She’s also going to pursue a master’s in divinity in August online through Nazarene Theological Seminary.
“My God-sized dream would be to orient my life around serving the Lord, others, and advancing the Kingdom of Heaven through having an intimate relationship with the Father,” she says. “When I think about specific goals for the future, I would love to be working full-time at a local church where I could have the honor to disciple others and teach the Word of the Lord to all who would listen!”
For more information about PBA’s School of Ministry programs, click here.
