Legacy of
Community

"I think it's one of the most rewarding feelings ever—to help others." For Vincent Soule, deputy director of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments (EPCOG), these words are more than a reflection, they are a cornerstone of a life marked by profound personal and familial cycles of rebirth and renewal. His journey, from the historic voyages of his ancestors to his battles with self-doubt and his rise as a community leader, is a path of transformation and resilience rooted in a commitment to service.

Fueling his welcoming smile is a family history of creating community and a lifetime of building others up.

Sandwiched between the Mix 107.5 radio station and High Plains Builders, behind modest wooden doors, a group of public servants put projects into motion, building community resources and infrastructure through grant funding and other fundraising initiatives. The front doors to the office of the EPCOG blend into the backdrop of downtown Clovis, New Mexico, the community these public servants advocate for is also their neighborhood. For Vincent Soule (BS 15), deputy director of EPCOG, building up a community is not an uncharted pursuit, it is a map that has been running through his body for generation. Fueling his welcoming smile is a family history of creating community and a lifetime of building others up.

The story of renewal for the Soule lineage begins centuries ago, on the arduous voyage of the Mayflower in 1620. According to this article by the Mayflower Society, Vincent's ancestor, George Soule, arrived in the New World as a manservant to the author, diplomat, and printer, Edward Winslow. After surviving the perilous journey, George was released from his indentured service and earned a place among the signatories of the Mayflower Compact. Each of these events served as a foundational act of rebirth in a new land.

After his arrival and newfound freedom, George's role as a signatory helped set the foundation of early government in the Plymouth colony, where he later received property during the Division of Land of 1623, according to a 2005 article by Caleb Johnson.

While much of George Soule's origins and life are unknown, some genealogical records reveal that his life following the signing of the Mayflower Compact included holding public office and acquiring assets throughout multiple colonial American townships. Vincent reflects that George embodied an early form of public service, a value woven through subsequent generations of his family.

A legacy of service continued with figures like Vincent's great-uncle, Archbishop Joshua Soule, a prominent leader in the Methodist Church during the late 1700s. Despite an upbringing in a Presbyterian household, Joshua took a deep interest in the Methodist Episcopal church. He eventually became ordained as a deacon, attaining the position of elder in the church, and became involved in the New England Annual Conference, genealogical records report.

Joshua Soule's role within the church left a tangible impact, including his role as editor in the Methodist Magazine from 1816-19. The Methodist Church established Soule University, located in Chappell Hill, Texas, during the mid-1800s, honoring Joshua with an institution of his namesake, the Texas State Historical Association reports. This dedication to the renewal of purpose did not end with Vincent's early ancestors but cycled forward, manifesting within the lives of both his parents.

The story of Vincent's mother, Saengduen Soule, is one of remarkable entrepreneurial courage and growth. Their military family relocated from Iceland in 1997 while Vincent was only seven years old. As she searched for purpose in her new country, a clear vision for the future emerged. Saengduen did not hesitate to open Saeng's Orient restaurant in Clovis, New Mexico. This daring step into a new life and community was a renewal of purpose and opportunity in the face of the unknown. Vincent notes that although his mother worked in the private sector, she approached her work with kindness and forgiveness, always focusing on the good of others. Later, she survived a stroke in 2008, an event that impacted the course of Vincent's young adult life.

Like most Greyhounds, rather than faltering in the face of unforeseen circumstances, Vincent met challenges with optimism and a call to service.

Vincent reflects that his father, Robert Soule, exemplified a life of service, transitioning from a military career to becoming a state police officer, a path of continued dedication that still resonates with Vincent. These familial narratives of navigating significant change and embracing new beginnings laid a poignant backdrop for Vincent's journey, which eventually wove his path through the High Plains and into Eastern New Mexico University.

Like his grandfather before him, Vincent too faced turbulent waters before dropping an anchor and finding his place on unfamiliar shores. Like most Greyhounds, rather than faltering in the face of unforeseen circumstances, Vincent met challenges with optimism and a call to service.

Vincent's crucible began with the uncertainty that many face after high school. He initially set off for the University of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque in fall 2008, embarking on the path of a music student. He later switched his major to nursing when he was inspired to help people while learning more about biology and chemistry.

However, life presented an unexpected detour. His mother suffered a stroke during his freshman year that required him to return to Clovis to help keep his family and their business afloat. "Returning to Clovis, I kind of felt like I failed myself a little bit," Vincent shared, reflecting on the vulnerability of his younger self. This return, born out of familial duty, became a period of recalibration, unknowingly planting seeds for a deeper purpose.

During this time back in Clovis, Soule continued his education. While attending Clovis Community College (CCC), he began tutoring elementary, middle, and high school students in mathematics and science through involvement in Engaging Latino Communities for Education (ENLACE) service. Working to support underserved communities in his neighborhood laid the foundation for many of his future pursuits. The immense satisfaction in empowering others awakened Vincent's inherited passion.

This moment reawakened the desire to serve that pulsed through Vincent's veins by way of his ancestors, a desire that still guides his endeavors to this day.

He talks about a transformative moment with a client, when he knew he was doing what he was meant to be doing: "I do remember a woman, a mother, called me after taking an exam. She passed her exam, she got an A, and she called me personally just to tell me thank you." This student, a police officer at the time, told Vincent how passing the class would allow her to enter a nursing program, and that test was a catalyst for her to provide more for her daughters and ensure a safer work environment for herself. "She thanked me; that was one of the most rewarding feelings for me," he said. This moment reawakened the desire to serve that pulsed through Vincent's veins by way of his ancestors, a desire that still guides his endeavors to this day.

Vincent's passion to help others and the growing needs of his own family presented him with a path where a lack of self-care consumed him. "Maybe helping others was me trying to find a way to fix myself," he mused. The strain became undeniable, impacting relationships and friendships until he recognized a pattern. "Even though I helped people, I wasn't helping myself very much," he said, highlighting the importance of self-care that he neglected to give himself.

Vincent knew he couldn't keep helping others if he didn't help himself. Taking a courageous step toward self-renewal, he says, "I went ahead and swallowed my pride and reached out." He remembers the feeling of being ready for help. Seeking therapy and support was transformational for him, "I gained more self-respect and self-regulation, which greatly improved my quality of life." Depression, once a heavy burden on his spirit, no longer struck him with the same intensity. This journey of self-recognition was a significant personal rebirth for Vincent, equipping him with profound empathy and a stronger sense of self.

His focus on self-care and personal health extends outside of himself. Vincent recognizes that many of the lessons he learned while pursuing mental health services for himself can be beneficial to others. "I feel passionate about helping those with mental health or physical disabilities," he said. "They are an at-risk population, and they're the people in our society who need the most help."

After a few years of working, studying, and transferring universities yet again, Soule graduated with a degree in biology with a focus in pre-med and a minor in chemistry from ENMU in 2015. With his degree, he began a brief stint as an inventory and processing auditor for a manufacturing company tied to the oil industry. Vincent sought a more fulfilling direction, one that aligned with his passion for wellness and service. In 2015, he joined EPCOG as a transportation planner, a role that appealed to his personal pursuit for community health. Being a transportation planner offered an opportunity for his work to make an impact. His role involved helping the local government with everything from transportation to infrastructure.

From the Mayflower's landing on the shores of Cape Cod and the glacial lakes of Iceland to the plains of Eastern New Mexico, the spirit of rebirth and renewal has been a constant force driving his family and himself toward new horizons.

At EPCOG, under the mentorship of colleagues like Raymond Mondragon, whom he describes as a significant influence, Vincent grew professionally and personally. By 2020, he had ascended to deputy director, overseeing various operations from finance and administration to policy management. "He's taught me how to communicate better with people and the importance of making connections," Vincent said of Mondragon. This mentorship helped Vincent transition from being introverted to being open and able to build stronger relationships with others.

Vincent's openness to new experiences and his dedication to helping others guides his work in the present day. He is passionate about creating more mental health resources, particularly in rural areas, evidenced by his work to receive a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant. With the HRSA grant, he works to guide middle- and high-school students into mental health careers, ensuring mental health resource accessibility in his neighborhood for the future.

Despite significant achievements, including being the youngest in his role on the Planning and Zoning Commission, receiving accolades like Young Professional of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce, and being an Honorary Command Chief with Cannon Air Force Base, Vincent remains grounded. "I don't think about it," he said regarding his accolades. "I just do what I do." His focus remains on the people he serves and the positive impact he can have on the broader community.

Looking back at his life journey, Vincent doesn't dwell on vanity. "I always feel like I should and could do better," he admits, a testament to his drive and pursuit of improvement. For the future, he sees himself firmly rooted in public service. "It's just been a passion of mine," he said. His posture is casual and unassuming while he shares his tremendous achievements, what he has overcome, and the story of his family lineage, each detail reflecting astounding resilience.

Vincent Soule's story is a rich history of ancestral grit, personal courage, and unwavering dedication to others. From the Mayflower's landing on the shores of Cape Cod and the glacial lakes of Iceland to the plains of Eastern New Mexico, the spirit of rebirth and renewal has been a constant force driving his family and himself toward new horizons. He shares his stories openly, projecting an infectious sense of personal comfort. "I'm pretty much an open book," Soule said. "I think being able to share your life authentically with others inspires others to be authentic as well, and not to be shy of who they are." His journey reminds us that true strength bleeds from our most vulnerable moments but having strength does not mean that you can get through your journey alone. Vincent speaks in a tone that balances sincerity and conviction, reflecting the wisdom gained through his life experience, "teamwork makes the dream work and working with others makes you a stronger person."

When he rises to say goodbye, he is unaware of his body being perfectly framed by the window, surrounded by the New Mexico sky.

The vast future of Main Street merges effortlessly with his silhouette while he looks out on New Mexico's land, breathy, humble, and full of surprises.