Executive Overview
Mental health advocacy in higher education has reached a critical juncture. As college and university campuses nationwide grapple with unprecedented student mental health challenges, the demand for youth-led solutions has never been more urgent. Enter the Active Minds Student Advisory Committee (SAC) for the 2026–2027 academic term—a powerhouse coalition of diverse, driven, and visionary Gen Z leaders poised to reshape the national conversation surrounding psychological well-being.
Representing the pulse of the student body across the United States, the newly appointed SAC members act as the national voice for Active Minds, channeling grassroots student experiences directly into national media forums and high-level strategic planning. Beyond mere representation, this elite cohort collaborates closely with Active Minds’ national leadership. They advise on vital institutional pillars: student engagement, community building, comprehensive program planning, chapter management, the execution of the flagship National Conference, and innovative program promotion.
Powered entirely by the relentless energy of youth and young adults, the SAC remains an indispensable engine driving the mental health movement forward. As thousands of student activists mobilize on campuses coast-to-coast, this year’s committee members bring exceptional academic rigor, intersectional advocacy, and deeply personal commitments to equity, public health, and systemic reform.
Detailed Chronology & Background of the Student Advisory Committee
The establishment and evolution of the Active Minds Student Advisory Committee reflect a long-standing organizational commitment to youth empowerment and leadership development. Since its inception, Active Minds has operated on the foundational belief that students are not merely passive recipients of mental health services, but active architects of wellness within their communities.
The Evolution of Student-Led Advocacy
- Foundational Years: Active Minds pioneered peer-to-peer mental health advocacy on college campuses, shifting the cultural paradigm from institutional silence to open dialogue.
- Scaling Impact: As the chapter network burgeoned into hundreds of campuses nationwide, the need for a centralized, representative student advisory body became paramount. The SAC was thus instituted to bridge the gap between grassroots chapter leaders and the national executive staff.
- The 2026–2027 Cohort Selection: Following a rigorous national application and vetting process, this year’s cohort was chosen based on demonstrated leadership, commitment to health equity, and proven impact within their respective campus ecosystems.
This year’s committee represents a multifaceted cross-section of academic disciplines—spanning molecular biology, public health, computer science, global health, and health communication—ensuring that the national strategy addresses mental health through a holistic, interdisciplinary lens.
Supporting Context, Metrics, and the State of Gen Z Mental Health
The launch of the 2026–2027 SAC occurs against a backdrop of escalating mental health pressures among young adults. Modern students navigate a complex matrix of stressors, including academic competition, financial strain, sociopolitical uncertainty, and the lingering psychological aftershocks of global disruptions.
The Complex Reality for Today’s Students
- Systemic Fragmentation: Many students face persistent barriers when attempting to access continuous mental health care, often confronting fragmented health systems and deeply entrenched societal stigmas.
- The Intersection of Physical and Mental Health: Contemporary advocacy increasingly recognizes that mental health cannot be decoupled from broader public health outcomes, substance use support, systemic racism, and healthcare access.
- The Power of Peer Support: Research consistently demonstrates that peer-led interventions and community care models significantly lower barriers to help-seeking behavior among college students, making the work of Active Minds chapters more vital than ever.
By integrating rigorous scientific research with community-level organizing, the 2026–2027 SAC members are uniquely positioned to address these systemic hurdles head-on.
Meet the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee Cohort
The individuals selected for the 2026–2027 SAC embody the pinnacle of student leadership. Their biographies illustrate a profound dedication to transforming healthcare, education, and community support systems.
Kailani Goggans (She/Her)
- Institution: Salem College
- Areas of Study: Psychological Science & Public Health
- Campus Leadership: President, Active Minds Salem College; President, Students for Reproductive Freedom; President, Siblings Demand Justice
- Vision & Future Goals: Kailani is deeply committed to community care, intersectional advocacy, and holistic wellness. She uses her platform to educate, support, and inspire her peers to leverage their voices in civic spaces. Academically, she plans to pursue an MD and a Master’s in Public Health to seamlessly bridge clinical medical practice with community-level policy and action.
- Personal Interests: In her downtime, Kailani enjoys indoor cycling, caring for her animals, and immersing herself in video games.
Dionisio (Dio) Taitano-Samora (He/They)
- Institution: Colorado State University Pueblo
- Areas of Study: Public Health (Minors in Spanish and Leadership Studies)
- Campus & Regional Leadership: Member of the Young Invincibles’ Youth Advisory Board for Colorado; affiliate with The Hub for Youth Centered Engagement
- Vision & Future Goals: As a first-generation Chicano-CHamoru student, Dio leverages his lived experiences and advocacy background to champion a more equitable and just education system for students of color. At the state level, he actively advocates for policies expanding young adult mental health access, healthcare equity, and workforce development. Professionally, he aims to research the intersection of STEM education access and public health outcomes to drive systemic health equity.
- Personal Interests: Dio loves hiking, experimenting with new culinary recipes, and exploring foreign languages.
Rhea Makkuni (She/Her)
- Institution: Johns Hopkins University
- Areas of Study: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Computer Science
- Campus & Research Leadership: President, Johns Hopkins Active Minds Chapter; Researcher in the PALS Lab at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Vision & Future Goals: Rhea sits at the bleeding edge of mental health innovation, applying artificial intelligence within the PALS Lab to study mood disorders. Through her leadership of the Johns Hopkins Active Minds chapter, she addresses global mental health challenges—ranging from fragmented care continuity to systemic resource barriers—by spearheading impactful, community-based mental health initiatives.
- Personal Interests: Rhea enjoys biking, singing, dancing, and engaging in endless conversations with friends.
Amy Senkerik (She/Her)
- Institution: Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University
- Areas of Study: Biological Science and Global Health (Certificate in Evolutionary Medicine)
- Campus & National Leadership: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; Outreach Team for ASU Counseling Services; Alumna of the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute; Featured Speaker at the May Active Minds Congressional Briefing
- Vision & Future Goals: Amy’s advocacy portfolio is exceptionally robust. Alongside her mental health work, she leads the Refugee Education and Clinic Team, serves as an active Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and conducts cancer-neuroscience research at the Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai. Her academic journey includes prestigious fellowships: a research internship at Harvard Medical School and a Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Toronto. A marathon runner (TCS New York City Marathon, 2024) and global health scholar, Amy aspires to practice as a physician operating at the critical intersection of clinical practice, biomedical research, mental health advocacy, and public policy.
- Personal Interests: Running, rock climbing, global travel, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Arjun Nair (He/Him)
- Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University (Guaranteed Medical Admissions Program)
- Area of Study: Biology
- Campus & Professional Leadership: President, Active Minds at VCU; Student Advisory Board Member, American Academy of HIV Medicine
- Vision & Future Goals: Arjun is dedicated to dismantling mental health stigma, promoting campus self-care practices, and galvanizing student engagement. Professionally, his work centers on advancing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, alongside HIV prevention within treatment settings. As a member of the Active Minds National Student Board, Arjun’s primary objective is to fortify bonds among campus chapters, empowering a new wave of youth to become definitive mental health champions in their local regions.
- Personal Interests: Dedicated to community health, academic mentorship, and continuous learning in behavioral medicine.
Ivanna Sintes-Klein (She/Her)
- Institution: The University of Texas at Austin (Transfer from Texas State University)
- Areas of Study: Health Promotion and Behavioral Science (Minor in Health Communication)
- Campus Leadership: Chapter Founder and President, Teddy Bear Hospital USA at UT; Longhorn SHARE Support Specialist; Student Government Representative on the Student Health Advisory Committee; Founder and Former President of Bobcat C.A.R.E. at Texas State University (named Organization of the Year)
- Vision & Future Goals: Ivanna is a seasoned organizational builder with a profound dedication to mental health accessibility and compassionate leadership. At Texas State, she founded Bobcat C.A.R.E.—the campus’s inaugural mental health advocacy group. At UT Austin, she extends this impact through peer support training (Mental Health First Aid and peer counseling) via the Longhorn SHARE program, while advising institutional leaders on student health policy. Her life’s work focuses on constructing safe, inclusive spaces where individuals feel empowered to ask for help without fear of judgment.
- Personal Interests: Playing pool and writing poetry.
Official Statements and Institutional Perspective
The leadership of Active Minds continues to emphasize the irreplaceable value of student advisory boards in guiding national initiatives. By anchoring organizational strategies in direct student feedback, Active Minds ensures its programs remain relevant, empathetic, and impactful.
"Powered by youth and young adults, the SAC is an integral part of the mental health work being done by thousands of Gen Z activists across the country," national program organizers note.
The inclusion of leaders like Amy Senkerik—who has addressed federal lawmakers at the Active Minds Congressional Briefing—demonstrates the tangible pathway from campus-level advocacy to national legislative awareness. The committee acts as a conduit, ensuring that the lived realities of students inform institutional policies, funding priorities, and resource allocation at both regional and national levels.
Future Outlook & Call to Action
As the 2026–2027 Active Minds Student Advisory Committee steps into its tenure, the roadmap ahead is defined by expansion, innovation, and community resilience. The cohort will spearhead upcoming national campaigns, guide chapter expansion, and collaborate on the planning of the next National Conference.
How to Get Involved
The national movement relies on active participation at the grassroots level. Whether you are a student looking to start a chapter, an educator seeking mental health resources, or a community member wanting to support local advocacy, your voice matters.
- Connect with Your Representative: To collaborate with your community’s designated SAC representative or to take direct action for mental health in your area, reach out to the Active Minds national team at [email protected].
- Engage Locally: Support your campus Active Minds chapter, participate in mental health awareness events, and utilize peer support networks to foster a culture of openness and care.
The future of mental health advocacy is bright, intersectional, and student-led. With the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee at the helm, Active Minds continues to prove that when young leaders are given a platform, they do not just change the conversation—they change the world.
