Executive Overview
Mental health advocacy in higher education has reached a critical inflection point. As college campuses nationwide grapple with unprecedented spikes in student anxiety, depression, and systemic burnout, the demand for youth-led solutions has never been more urgent. Enter the 2026–2027 Active Minds Student Advisory Committee (SAC)—a nationally selected cohort of Gen Z changemakers poised to shape the future of mental health policy, peer support, and institutional reform.
Active Minds, the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for students and young adults, relies heavily on the SAC to bridge the gap between grassroots student experiences and national strategy. Comprising exceptional undergraduate leaders from diverse academic backgrounds—ranging from molecular biology and public health to computer science and health communication—this year’s committee embodies the intersection of rigorous scientific research, community care, and systemic advocacy.
This comprehensive report details the composition, academic pursuits, and visionary leadership of the 2026–2027 cohort. It explores how these young leaders plan to amplify student voices across media and national forums, collaborate with Active Minds national staff on chapter management, and spearhead the planning of the upcoming National Conference.
Detailed Chronology: The Evolution and Selection of the 2026–2027 SAC
The selection process for the Active Minds Student Advisory Committee is rigorous, reflecting the high stakes of mental health advocacy in contemporary society. Every year, hundreds of chapter leaders, peer educators, and student activists from across the United States apply for a coveted spot on the committee.
The timeline for the 2026–2027 cohort builds upon decades of Active Minds’ organizational history, which has transformed from a single campus chapter founded in 2003 into a nationwide movement spanning thousands of high school and college campuses.
- The Application Phase: Prospective candidates undergo a multi-tiered evaluation focusing on their leadership track record, advocacy initiatives on their respective campuses, and their vision for national-level impact.
- The Announcement: The official unveiling of the cohort highlights individuals who have not only demonstrated dedication within their local Active Minds chapters but have also proven their capability in cross-disciplinary fields such as public health policy, scientific research, and community organizing.
- The Tenure Kickoff (2026–2027): Upon selection, committee members immediately assume advisory roles, consulting directly with Active Minds national staff on vital operations, including program planning, chapter engagement, national conference logistics, and media representation.
By placing Gen Z leaders at the decision-making table, Active Minds ensures that national programming remains dynamic, culturally responsive, and directly aligned with the evolving mental health needs of modern students.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Imperative for Gen Z Leadership
The urgency surrounding youth mental health initiatives is underscored by extensive public health data. According to recent national assessments, over 70% of college students report experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress, with anxiety and depression remaining leading impediments to academic success and personal well-being.
Despite increased awareness, structural barriers persist:
- Fragmented Systems: Many students face daunting navigation hurdles when attempting to access continuous mental health care across shifting academic and insurance landscapes.
- Stigma in Marginalized Communities: Students of color, first-generation scholars, and LGBTQ+ youth frequently encounter culturally insensitive care models or a lack of representation within clinical spaces.
- Systemic Burnout: Academic pressures combined with economic anxieties have created a mental health climate that traditional, top-down institutional approaches often fail to address adequately.
The 2026–2027 SAC steps into this landscape not merely as participants, but as architects of systemic change. By integrating lived experiences with academic expertise in public health, medicine, and technology, these student leaders are uniquely positioned to dismantle stigma and build sustainable frameworks for community care.
Meet the Cohort: Profiles of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee
The strength of the Student Advisory Committee lies in the diverse lived experiences, academic disciplines, and geographical perspectives of its members. Below is an in-depth look at the six extraordinary student leaders chosen for the 2026–2027 term.
Kailani Goggans (Salem College)
- Pronouns: She/Her
- Major/Fields of Study: Psychological Science & Public Health
- Leadership Roles: President, Active Minds Salem College; Students for Reproductive Freedom; Siblings Demand Justice.
- Future Outlook: Kailani is deeply committed to community care, advocacy, and wellness. Her academic trajectory aims toward medical school, where she plans to obtain an MD and a Master’s in Public Health. By bridging clinical medical practice with public policy and community action, she strives to reshape how healthcare systems address mental health at a population level.
- Personal Interests: In her free time, she enjoys indoor cycling, caring for her animals, and playing video games.
Dionisio (Dio) Taitano-Samora (Colorado State University Pueblo)
- Pronouns: He/They
- Major/Fields of Study: Public Health (Minors in Spanish and Leadership Studies)
- Leadership Roles: Member, Young Invincibles Youth Advisory Board for Colorado; Advocate with The Hub for Youth Centered Engagement.
- Future Outlook: As a first-generation Chicano-CHamoru student, Dio brings an invaluable lens to the committee regarding health equity and educational justice. He works tirelessly to advance policies supporting young adults’ mental health, healthcare access, and workforce readiness. Looking ahead, Dio aims to conduct critical research on access to STEM education and its direct correlation to public health outcomes.
- Personal Interests: Outside of his rigorous academics, Dio enjoys hiking, experimenting with new culinary recipes, and language learning.
Rhea Makkuni (Johns Hopkins University)
- Pronouns: She/Her
- Major/Fields of Study: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Computer Science
- Leadership Roles: President, Johns Hopkins University Active Minds Chapter; Researcher in the PALS Lab at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
- Future Outlook: Rhea sits at the fascinating intersection of technology, biology, and mental health. Her research applies artificial intelligence to the study of mood disorders, offering cutting-edge insights into psychiatric care. On campus, she leads localized mental health initiatives that tackle global challenges, including fragmented healthcare systems, resource barriers, and continuity of care.
- Personal Interests: Rhea enjoys biking, engaging in endless conversations with friends, singing, and dancing.
Amy Senkerik (Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University)
- Pronouns: She/Her
- Major/Fields of Study: Biological Science and Global Health (Certificate in Evolutionary Medicine)
- Leadership Roles: Outreach Team Member, ASU Counseling Services; Alumna of the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute; Speaker at the Active Minds Congressional Briefing.
- Future Outlook: Amy’s advocacy footprint is exceptionally broad. Alongside her leadership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, she leads the Refugee Education and Clinic Team, works as an Emergency Medical Technician, and conducts cancer-neuroscience research at the Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai. Having interned at Harvard Medical School and served as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Toronto, Amy envisions a career as a physician operating at the nexus of clinical practice, mental health research, and health policy.
- Personal Interests: An accomplished endurance athlete who ran the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, Amy also enjoys rock climbing, international travel, and spending time with loved ones.
Arjun Nair (Virginia Commonwealth University)
- Pronouns: He/Him
- Major/Fields of Study: Biology (Guaranteed Medical Admissions Program)
- Leadership Roles: President, Active Minds at VCU; Student Advisory Board Member, American Academy of HIV Medicine.
- Future Outlook: Arjun is dedicated to destigmatizing mental health, promoting proactive self-care, and expanding student engagement. Professionally, he focuses on compassionate care models for individuals with substance use disorders, as well as HIV prevention within behavioral health treatment settings. Through his position on the Active Minds National Student Board, Arjun seeks to forge unbreakable connections among campus chapters, empowering youth to serve as mental health champions in their hometowns.
- Personal Interests: Arjun balances his demanding medical track with community-building initiatives and collaborative peer mentorship.
Ivanna Sintes-Klein (The University of Texas at Austin)
- Pronouns: She/Her
- Major/Fields of Study: Health Promotion and Behavioral Science (Minor in Health Communication)
- Leadership Roles: Chapter Founder and President, Teddy Bear Hospital USA at UT; Longhorn SHARE Support Specialist; Student Government Representative on the Student Health Advisory Committee; Founder of Bobcat C.A.R.E. at Texas State University.
- Future Outlook: Ivanna has an extraordinary track record of institutional institution-building. After founding the first-ever mental health advocacy organization at Texas State University—which earned Organization of the Year honors—she transferred to UT Austin to continue her mission. Trained in peer support, mental health first aid, and crisis resource navigation, Ivanna champions the philosophy that no individual should have to carry their psychological burdens in isolation.
- Personal Interests: In her downtime, Ivanna enjoys playing pool and writing poetry.
Official Statements and Institutional Impact
The collective expertise of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee represents a paradigm shift in how national organizations engage with youth leadership. Rather than functioning as symbolic figureheads, SAC members act as active consultants who evaluate, critique, and co-create national programs.
National staff members at Active Minds have consistently emphasized that the insights provided by the SAC directly influence strategic planning for the annual National Conference, resource allocation for campus chapters, and national advocacy campaigns directed toward federal policymakers. By incorporating diverse perspectives—from AI-driven psychiatric research to frontline peer support and public health policy—the SAC ensures that Active Minds remains at the bleeding edge of the mental health movement.
Future Outlook: The Road Ahead for Gen Z Advocacy
As the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee officially steps into its tenure, the roadmap ahead is clear: mobilize, educate, and reform.
The committee’s immediate priorities include:
- Strengthening Chapter Networks: Enhancing cross-campus communication and resource-sharing among hundreds of Active Minds chapters nationwide.
- Influencing Policy: Leveraging platforms like the Active Minds Congressional Briefings to advocate for legislative measures that expand mental health funding and healthcare access for young adults.
- Promoting Innovative Care Models: Supporting initiatives that integrate peer support networks, technology-driven mental health tools, and culturally competent care systems on college campuses.
Communities, academic institutions, and student leaders interested in collaborating with their local representatives to take meaningful action for mental health are encouraged to reach out directly to Active Minds national staff via email at [email protected].
The work being done by Kailani, Dio, Rhea, Amy, Arjun, Ivanna, and thousands of Gen Z activists nationwide proves that the future of mental health care is not just being imagined—it is actively being built by the students themselves.
