Executive Overview
Mental health advocacy among youth and young adults has reached a critical juncture in the mid-2020s. As educational institutions grapple with unprecedented demands for psychological support, the voices of students themselves have become the most vital catalyst for institutional and systemic change. At the forefront of this movement is Active Minds, the nation’s premier organization supporting mental health awareness and education for students.
The organization has officially introduced its 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee (SAC), a national cohort of dynamic Gen Z leaders tasked with shaping the future of mental health advocacy. Operating at the intersection of grassroots organizing, media representation, and national policy advisory, the SAC serves as the authoritative student voice for Active Minds. These young leaders collaborate directly with national staff to steer initiatives spanning community building, program planning, chapter management, and the coordination of the landmark National Conference.
Powered entirely by youth and young adults, the SAC is far more than an advisory body—it is an engine of systemic reform. Representing thousands of student activists nationwide, the incoming 2026–2027 cohort brings a diverse array of lived experiences, academic disciplines, and community-based strategies to the table. From pioneering peer-support networks on massive university campuses to leveraging artificial intelligence in mood disorder research, these six student leaders embody the multifaceted approach required to tackle modern mental health challenges. This report provides an in-depth look at the structure, mission, and distinguished profiles of the leaders chosen to guide Active Minds through the 2026–2027 term.
Detailed Chronology and Institutional Evolution
To understand the weight and significance of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee, it is essential to examine the trajectory of youth-led mental health advocacy over the past decade.
- The Grassroots Foundation: Active Minds was founded on the premise that students are uniquely positioned to change the conversation surrounding mental health. Over the years, the organization expanded from a single campus initiative into a sprawling national network of hundreds of high school and college chapters.
- The Birth of the SAC: Recognizing the need for top-down strategy to align seamlessly with bottom-up experiences, Active Minds established the Student Advisory Committee. This body was designed to bridge the gap between everyday campus activists and the national organization’s administrative leadership.
- The Post-Pandemic Shift (2022–2025): In the wake of global disruptions to education and socialization, student mental health crises spiked dramatically. The SAC adapted by shifting its focus toward systemic policy interventions, digital advocacy, and expanding access to marginalized student populations.
- The 2026–2027 Cohort Induction: Marking a new chapter in youth-led reform, the newly announced 2026–2027 SAC cohort steps into a landscape where mental health is increasingly recognized as a public health crisis requiring cross-disciplinary solutions. Today’s committee members are not only advocates; they are researchers, public health scholars, and medical pioneers poised to reshape healthcare infrastructure from the ground up.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The State of Gen Z Mental Health
The urgency driving the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee cannot be overstated. Contemporary public health data underscores a profound mental health landscape among Gen Z:
- The Prevalence of Need: According to national health surveys, over 70% of college students report moderate to severe psychological distress, with anxiety and depression remaining the leading impediments to academic success.
- Systemic Barriers: Despite rising awareness, significant hurdles persist—including prolonged wait times for campus counseling services, financial barriers to private care, and persistent cultural stigmas within specific demographic communities.
- The Power of Peer-Led Intervention: Studies consistently demonstrate that peer-led support models significantly outperform traditional top-down announcements in building trust and encouraging students to seek professional help. Active Minds chapters serve as the primary entry point for thousands of young adults who might otherwise suffer in silence.
- Intersectionality in Advocacy: Modern mental health cannot be separated from systemic issues such as economic disparity, lack of healthcare access in STEM and rural communities, racial inequities in education, and substance use disorders. The 2026–2027 SAC cohort reflects this holistic reality, with members specializing in public health, computer science, molecular biology, and global health.
Meet the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee Cohort
The heart of the SAC lies in its members. Below are the detailed profiles of the extraordinary young leaders driving the 2026–2027 agenda.
Kailani Goggans (Salem College)
- Pronouns: She/Her
- Academic Focus: Psychological Science & Public Health
- Leadership Roles: President of Active Minds Salem College, Students for Reproductive Freedom, & Siblings Demand Justice.
Kailani Goggans is a powerhouse of community-driven advocacy. Based at Salem College, she is deeply committed to merging community care with systemic wellness. Beyond her leadership within Active Minds, Kailani serves as the President of multiple student organizations, consistently urging her peers to step up, get involved, and use their voices to demand equity.
Her academic trajectory is anchored in a desire to bridge clinical medical practice with public policy. Kailani plans to attend medical school to obtain both an MD and a Master’s in Public Health, enabling her to tackle health disparities at both the individual and structural levels. When she isn’t organizing campaigns or hitting the books, Kailani enjoys indoor cycling, caring for her animals, and unwinding with video games.
Dionisio (Dio) Taitano-Samora (Colorado State University Pueblo)
- Pronouns: He/They
- Academic Focus: Public Health (Minors in Spanish and Leadership Studies)
- Leadership Roles: Member of the Young Invincibles Youth Advisory Board (Colorado); Advocate with The Hub for Youth Centered Engagement.
As a first-generation Chicano-CHamoru student at Colorado State University Pueblo, Dionisio “Dio” Taitano-Samora brings an invaluable intersectional perspective to the national committee. Dio’s work centers on dismantling systemic barriers and fostering a just educational ecosystem for students of color.
In addition to his responsibilities with Active Minds, Dio serves on the Youth Advisory Board for Young Invincibles in Colorado, where he champions policies targeting youth mental health access, healthcare equity, and workforce development. Looking forward, Dio aims to conduct pioneering research on access to STEM education and its direct correlation to public health outcomes. Outside of his rigorous academic and advocacy schedule, Dio finds balance in hiking, exploring new recipes, and expanding his linguistic skills through language learning.
Rhea Makkuni (Johns Hopkins University)
- Pronouns: She/Her
- Academic Focus: Molecular and Cellular Biology & Computer Science
- Leadership Roles: President of the Johns Hopkins Active Minds Chapter; Researcher in the PALS Lab at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Rhea Makkuni represents the cutting edge of where technology meets mental health science. At Johns Hopkins University, Rhea conducts high-level research in the PALS Lab, utilizing artificial intelligence to analyze and better understand mood disorders.
As President of the Johns Hopkins Active Minds chapter, Rhea translates complex, global mental health challenges—such as fragmented care systems, resource navigation barriers, and persistent stigma—into actionable, localized community efforts. Her unique ability to synthesize hard science with empathetic, community-based care makes her an invaluable asset to the national committee. In her rare moments of downtime, Rhea enjoys cycling, singing, dancing, and engaging in endless conversations with friends.
Amy Senkerik (Arizona State University – Barrett, The Honors College)
- Pronouns: She/Her
- Academic Focus: Biological Science & Global Health (Certificate in Evolutionary Medicine)
- Leadership Roles: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention outreach; ASU Counseling Services outreach team; Founder/Leader of the Refugee Education and Clinic Team; Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Amy Senkerik boasts an astonishingly comprehensive background in clinical research, emergency medicine, and mental health advocacy. An honors student at Arizona State University, Amy’s dedication to suicide prevention and public health led her to complete the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute and speak at the Active Minds Congressional Briefing in Washington, D.C.
Amy’s resume reads like that of a seasoned medical professional: she conducts cancer-neuroscience research at the Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai, has interned at Harvard Medical School, and participated as a Fulbright Scholar in summer research programs at the University of Toronto. Furthermore, she balances her academic pursuits with work as an EMT and leadership within refugee education initiatives. Having studied global health abroad in Australia and completed the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, Amy aspires to practice as a physician operating at the critical intersection of mental health, clinical research, and public policy. In her personal time, she enjoys running, rock climbing, traveling, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Arjun Nair (Virginia Commonwealth University)
- Pronouns: He/Him
- Academic Focus: Biology (Guaranteed Medical Admissions Program)
- Leadership Roles: President of Active Minds at VCU; Student Advisory Board member for the American Academy of HIV Medicine.
Arjun Nair approaches mental health advocacy through the lenses of compassion, harm reduction, and systemic healthcare reform. Currently enrolled in VCU’s prestigious Guaranteed Medical Admissions Program, Arjun serves as President of the campus Active Minds chapter, where he focuses on destigmatizing mental health struggles, promoting holistic self-care practices, and mobilizing student advocacy.
Professionally, Arjun is deeply invested in expanding compassionate, destigmatized support systems for individuals battling substance use disorders, alongside advancing HIV prevention within treatment settings. His national footprint includes service on the Student Advisory Board of the American Academy of HIV Medicine, alongside behavioral health research initiatives. As a member of the Active Minds National Student Board, Arjun’s primary objective is to fortify the bonds between university chapters nationwide, empowering young adults to become fearless mental health champions in their respective regions.
Ivanna Sintes-Klein (The University of Texas at Austin)
- Pronouns: She/Her
- Academic Focus: Health Promotion and Behavioral Science (Minor in Health Communication)
- Leadership Roles: Chapter Founder and President of Teddy Bear Hospital USA at UT; Longhorn SHARE Support Specialist; Student Health Advisory Committee representative.
Ivanna Sintes-Klein is a seasoned campus organizer dedicated to building accessible, empowering spaces where individuals feel genuinely heard and supported. At UT Austin, Ivanna wears multiple hats: she is the founder and president of the UT chapter of Teddy Bear Hospital USA (a non-profit utilizing play to alleviate children’s medical anxiety and promote health literacy) and serves as a Longhorn SHARE Support Specialist, utilizing her training in peer support and mental health first aid.
Appointed by the UT Student Government to the Student Health Advisory Committee, Ivanna ensures that student perspectives directly shape campus health policies. Her leadership pedigree also includes founding Bobcat C.A.R.E. (Creating Awareness, Resiliency, and Empowerment) during her time at Texas State University—the institution’s first mental health advocacy organization, which earned Organization of the Year under her stewardship. Passionate about making mental health resources universally reachable, Ivanna spends her free time playing pool and writing poetry.
Future Outlook: The Road Ahead for Active Minds
The unveiling of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee signals a renewed era of robust, cross-disciplinary mental health leadership. As these six exceptional young leaders assume their national roles, the impact of their collective expertise—spanning AI-driven research, clinical medicine, public health policy, peer counseling, and grassroots organizing—will undoubtedly reverberate across high school and college campuses nationwide.
Active Minds continues to prove that sustainable change in mental healthcare does not wait for bureaucratic approval; it is built from the ground up by passionate students who refuse to let stigma dictate their generation’s well-being.
Get Involved:
Educational institutions, student leaders, and community members interested in collaborating with their local Student Advisory Committee representatives—or looking to take direct action for mental health advocacy—are encouraged to reach out to the Active Minds national team at [email protected].
