Executive Overview
Mental health advocacy in higher education has reached a critical juncture. As systemic stressors, academic pressures, and societal shifts continue to impact Generation Z, the demand for youth-led solutions has never been more urgent. At the forefront of this national movement is Active Minds, the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, Active Minds has announced its newly appointed Student Advisory Committee (SAC)—a diverse, highly accomplished cohort of student leaders from across the United States. These young changemakers serve as the national voice for student mental health, partnering directly with Active Minds’ national staff to shape community-building initiatives, refine chapter management, guide program planning, and direct national conference strategies.
Powered by the relentless energy of Gen Z activists, the SAC bridges the gap between grassroots campus advocacy and national mental health policy. This article provides an in-depth profile of the 2026–2027 cohort, examining their individual trajectories, academic pursuits, and the profound systemic impact they aim to achieve during their tenure.
Detailed Chronology and Selection of the 2026–2027 Cohort
The path to joining the Active Minds Student Advisory Committee is rigorous and competitive. Candidates undergo a comprehensive evaluation process that highlights their demonstrated leadership on campus, dedication to destigmatizing mental health, and vision for systemic health equity.
The unveiling of the 2026–2027 cohort marks the culmination of months of recruitment and review. This year’s committee represents a multidisciplinary powerhouse, drawing future physicians, public health researchers, data scientists, and policy advocates. Below is a detailed look at the six exceptional student leaders chosen to guide Active Minds for the 2026–2027 term:
1. Kailani Goggans (Salem College)
- Academic Focus: Psychological Science & Public Health
- Leadership Roles: President, Active Minds Salem College; President, Students for Reproductive Freedom; President, Siblings Demand Justice
- Vision & Future Goals: Kailani is deeply rooted in the principles of community care and holistic wellness. On her campus, she acts as a catalyst for student engagement, empowering her peers to utilize their voices in civic and health spaces. Professionally, she intends to pursue a dual MD and Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degree, aiming to fuse direct clinical medical practice with structural community policy and action.
- Personal Interests: Indoor cycling, animal care, and video games.
2. Dionisio (Dio) Taitano-Samora (Colorado State University Pueblo)
- Academic Focus: Public Health (Minors: Spanish and Leadership Studies)
- Leadership Roles: Member, Young Invincibles’ Youth Advisory Board (Colorado); Contributor, The Hub for Youth Centered Engagement
- Vision & Future Goals: As a first-generation Chicano-CHamoru student, Dio brings a vital intersectional lens to the SAC. His advocacy centers on dismantling educational inequities for students of color and expanding healthcare access. Through his work with Young Invincibles, Dio actively champions policies supporting young adult workforce readiness and mental health resources. Academically, he plans to research barriers to STEM education access and its direct correlation to public health outcomes.
- Personal Interests: Hiking, culinary experimentation, and language acquisition.
3. Rhea Makkuni (Johns Hopkins University)
- Academic Focus: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Computer Science
- Leadership Roles: President, Active Minds Johns Hopkins Chapter; Researcher, PALS Lab (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine)
- Vision & Future Goals: Rhea sits at the intersection of technology, biology, and mental health. At the PALS Lab, she applies artificial intelligence (AI) to study mood disorders, harnessing tech-driven solutions for psychiatric evaluation. On campus, her leadership with Active Minds sheds light on global mental health disparities, including fragmented care systems, resource navigation hurdles, and systemic stigma.
- Personal Interests: Biking, vocal performance, dancing, and community engagement.
4. Amy Senkerik (Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University)
- Academic Focus: Biological Science and Global Health (Certificate in Evolutionary Medicine)
- Leadership Roles: Outreach Team Member, ASU Counseling Services; Leader, Refugee Education and Clinic Team; Alumna, Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute
- Vision & Future Goals: Amy’s advocacy portfolio is exceptionally vast. Having spoken at the Active Minds Congressional Briefing in Washington, D.C., she operates seamlessly across individual, community, and legislative tiers. Alongside her role as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), she conducts cancer-neuroscience research at the Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai, and has completed prestigious research programs at Harvard Medical School and as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Toronto. She aspires to practice medicine as a physician-scientist bridging clinical care, mental health research, and health policy.
- Personal Interests: Long-distance running (including the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon), rock climbing, and international travel.
5. Arjun Nair (Virginia Commonwealth University)
- Academic Focus: Biology (Guaranteed Medical Admissions Program)
- Leadership Roles: President, Active Minds at VCU; Student Advisory Board Member, American Academy of HIV Medicine
- Vision & Future Goals: Arjun’s campus leadership focuses on fostering proactive self-care habits and tearing down mental health barriers within the student body. Professionally, his research and advocacy extend into compassionate substance use disorder (SUD) care and HIV prevention within vulnerable treatment environments. As part of the Active Minds National Student Board, Arjun is dedicated to forging robust networks among nationwide campus chapters, enabling young adults to act as localized mental health champions.
6. Ivanna Sintes-Klein (The University of Texas at Austin)
- Academic Focus: Health Promotion and Behavioral Science (Minor: Health Communication)
- Leadership Roles: Chapter Founder and President, Teddy Bear Hospital USA at UT; Longhorn SHARE Support Specialist; Student Government Representative, Student Health Advisory Committee (UT Austin); Founder and Former President, Bobcat C.A.R.E. (Texas State University)
- Vision & Future Goals: A seasoned founder of campus mental health organizations, Ivanna previously established Bobcat C.A.R.E. at Texas State University—earning Organization of the Year honors—before transferring to UT Austin. Certified in peer support and mental health first aid, she works tirelessly to ensure students have accessible, stigma-free support networks. Through her role with Teddy Bear Hospital USA, she also champions pediatric health education and anxiety reduction through play.
- Personal Interests: Billiards and creative poetry.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The State of Gen Z Mental Health
The formation of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee arrives against a backdrop of documented challenges facing college students and young adults nationwide.
According to data compiled by Active Minds and higher education health agencies:
- Rising Demand for Services: Over the past decade, campus counseling centers have reported a steady increase in the demand for mental health services, frequently outpacing institutional resources.
- The Power of Peer-to-Peer Interventions: Studies consistently show that young adults are significantly more likely to confide in a peer regarding psychological distress before seeking professional medical help. This highlights the vital importance of organizations like Active Minds, which train students in mental health first aid and peer support.
- Systemic Intersections: Modern student activists increasingly recognize that mental health cannot be separated from broader social determinants of health—including economic stability, racial justice, reproductive rights, and systemic barriers within educational pipelines. The 2026–2027 SAC cohort reflects this holistic philosophy, with members actively engaged in public health research, policy advocacy, and community outreach.
Official Statements and Organizational Impact
The Active Minds national infrastructure relies heavily on the insights provided by the Student Advisory Committee to maintain its relevance, agility, and effectiveness.
National staff members routinely consult the SAC to evaluate campaign messaging, optimize digital engagement platforms, and design curricula for the annual Active Minds National Conference. By integrating the lived experiences of students from diverse geographic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, Active Minds ensures that its programmatic offerings address the real-time needs of today’s campuses.
"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," notes the leadership team at Active Minds. “These student leaders do not just represent the future of mental health advocacy—they are defining its present through bold action, academic rigor, and compassionate community building.”
Future Outlook: Looking Ahead to 2026–2027 and Beyond
As the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee officially steps into their roles, their immediate agenda includes expanding chapter connectivity, advocating for legislative mental health priorities, and spearheading national awareness campaigns.
Through collaborative forums, media engagements, and peer-led workshops, Kailani, Dio, Rhea, Amy, Arjun, and Ivanna will guide thousands of student advocates in shifting the cultural narrative around mental health. Their work promises to leave an indelible mark not only on their respective universities, but on the broader landscape of American healthcare and public policy.
Get Involved
Community members, educators, and students interested in collaborating with their local campus representatives or seeking guidance on mental health action are encouraged to reach out to Active Minds via email at [email protected].
