Executive Overview
As youth and young adult mental health continues to navigate unprecedented challenges in an increasingly complex digital and social landscape, the national conversation around well-being requires bold, grounded, and visionary leadership. At the forefront of this movement is Active Minds, the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for students. Central to its mission of mobilizing young adults is the Student Advisory Committee (SAC), a flagship cohort of exceptional Gen Z leaders who serve as the national voice for student mental health.
The newly announced 2026–2027 Active Minds Student Advisory Committee brings together an inspiring cross-section of changemakers, researchers, organizers, and healthcare aspirants from across the United States. These young leaders do more than merely represent their peers; they act as vital advisors to the national Active Minds staff. Their responsibilities span program planning, community building, national conference organization, chapter management, and media engagement.
Powered by the tireless activism of thousands of students nationwide, the SAC bridges the gap between grassroots campus advocacy and macro-level systemic policy. This comprehensive report explores the backgrounds, ambitions, and driving motivations of the brilliant minds comprising the 2026–2027 cohort, examining how their unique interdisciplinary expertise—ranging from artificial intelligence and public health to molecular biology and health communication—positions them to reshape the future of mental healthcare.
Detailed Chronology and Selection Context
The unveiling of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee marks the culmination of a rigorous, nationwide evaluation process designed to identify students who exhibit extraordinary leadership, dedication to mental health advocacy, and a proven track record of community organizing.
For decades, Active Minds has operated on the philosophy that student voices are not merely participants in the dialogue surrounding mental health, but the architects of its solutions. The formation of each annual SAC cohort follows a timeline of intense regional chapter engagement, leadership development institutes, and competitive application cycles.
The Evolution of Student-Led Advocacy
- Spring Semester: Potential candidates emerge from hundreds of Active Minds campus chapters, having demonstrated leadership through campus-wide destigmatization campaigns, peer support networks, and wellness programming.
- Early Summer: National evaluators review applications, assessing candidates on their strategic vision, academic pursuits, and commitment to addressing systemic inequities in healthcare access.
- Late Summer / Early Fall: The final cohort is selected, undergoing specialized orientation and training to prepare them for collaborative initiatives with national staff, congressional liaisons, and public health organizations.
- The 2026–2027 Term: The newly minted committee officially assumes its role, immediately diving into planning national conferences, advising on digital student engagement strategies, and serving as media spokespeople for youth-driven mental health reform.
By institutionalizing this youth-led advisory body, Active Minds ensures that its national trajectory remains deeply responsive to the evolving needs of Gen Z and millennial students confronting academic pressures, economic uncertainty, and systemic mental health disparities.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The State of Gen Z Mental Health
To fully appreciate the urgency and impact of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee, one must examine the broader socioeconomic and psychological landscape confronting today’s college and university students.
The Modern Campus Mental Health Crisis
According to national health data and higher education surveys, the demand for campus mental health services has surged dramatically over the past decade, far outpacing the growth in institutional counseling resources.
- Prevalence of Distress: More than 60% of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem, including anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
- Systemic Barriers: Fragmented healthcare systems, long wait times for campus psychiatric care, persistent cultural stigmas, and a lack of culturally competent providers disproportionately affect low-income students, first-generation scholars, and students of color.
- The Role of Peer-Led Intervention: Studies consistently demonstrate that peer-led support models—such as those championed by Active Minds chapters—significantly lower barriers to care by fostering environments of shared vulnerability, empathy, and early intervention.
The members of the 2026–2027 SAC are stepping into their roles equipped not only with personal passion but with rigorous academic and scientific backgrounds poised to tackle these structural deficiencies head-on.
Meet the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee Cohort
The six individuals selected for the 2026–2027 cohort bring a diverse array of lived experiences, academic disciplines, and geographical perspectives to the table. Below is a detailed profile of each committee member.
Kailani Goggans (She/Her)
- Institution: Salem College
- Areas of Study: Psychological Science & Public Health
- Leadership Roles: President, Active Minds Salem College; President, Students for Reproductive Freedom; President, Siblings Demand Justice.
Kailani Goggans approaches mental health advocacy through an unyielding commitment to community care and intersectional wellness. On her campus, she serves as a triple-threat leader, guiding organizations dedicated to mental health awareness, reproductive autonomy, and justice advocacy. Kailani’s work centers on empowering her peers to recognize the power of their voices and to actively participate in shaping community standards of support.
Looking toward the future, Kailani plans to attend medical school to obtain both an M.D. and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH). Her ultimate career objective is to synthesize clinical medical practice with public policy, ensuring that health systems are structurally equipped to address the holistic needs of vulnerable populations. Outside of her rigorous academic and advocacy schedules, Kailani finds balance and joy in indoor cycling, caring for her animals, and unwinding with video games.
Dionisio (Dio) Taitano-Samora (He/They)
- Institution: Colorado State University Pueblo
- Areas of Study: Public Health (Minors in Spanish and Leadership Studies)
- Leadership Roles: Member, Young Invincibles Youth Advisory Board (Colorado); Advocate, The Hub for Youth Centered Engagement.
As a first-generation Chicano-CHamoru student, Dionisio "Dio" Taitano-Samora brings an essential, underrepresented perspective to national mental health advocacy. Dio leverages his extensive background with youth-centered organizations to dismantle structural inequities within the American education system, specifically advocating for students of color.
In his role on the Young Invincibles Youth Advisory Board for Colorado, Dio works tirelessly to advance state and national policies supporting young adult mental health, workforce readiness, and equitable healthcare access. Academically, he aims to pioneer research exploring the intersection of STEM education access and public health outcomes, striving to achieve true health equity for marginalized communities. When he is not organizing or studying, Dio enjoys hiking, experimenting with new culinary recipes, and pursuing language learning.
Rhea Makkuni (She/Her)
- Institution: Johns Hopkins University
- Areas of Study: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Computer Science
- Leadership Roles: President, Johns Hopkins Active Minds Chapter; Researcher, PALS Lab (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine).
Rhea Makkuni represents the cutting-edge intersection of hard sciences, technology, and mental health advocacy. Operating within the PALS Lab at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Rhea applies artificial intelligence and computational tools to the study and understanding of mood disorders.
On campus, her leadership of the Johns Hopkins Active Minds chapter grounds her high-tech research in human reality. Rhea confronts global mental health challenges head-on—addressing systemic barriers such as fragmented care networks, resource navigation hurdles, and persistent social stigmas. By combining computational biology with grassroots student mobilization, Rhea exemplifies how modern science and empathy can unite to solve complex psychological crises. In her personal time, 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)
- Leadership Roles: Outreach Team, ASU Counseling Services; Leader, Refugee Education and Clinic Team; Member, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Amy Senkerik is a powerhouse of academic and civic engagement whose advocacy spans individual, community, and systemic levels. A veteran of the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute, Amy notably spoke at the Active Minds Congressional Briefing in May, bringing vital student insights directly to federal lawmakers.
Amy’s resume reads like a roadmap for future medical leadership: she works as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), conducts cancer-neuroscience research at the Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai, and has completed prestigious summer research fellowships at Harvard Medical School and as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Toronto. Furthermore, she leads the Refugee Education and Clinic Team and actively collaborates with ASU Counseling Services and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. An avid marathoner—having completed the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon—and a global health scholar who has studied abroad in Australia, Amy aspires to practice as a physician operating at the nexus of clinical medicine, neurological research, and public health policy.
Arjun Nair (He/Him)
- Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
- Areas of Study: Biology (Guaranteed Medical Admissions Program)
- Leadership Roles: President, Active Minds at VCU; Member, Student Advisory Board of the American Academy of HIV Medicine.
Arjun Nair is dedicated to transforming clinical support systems for some of society’s most vulnerable populations. As President of Active Minds at VCU, Arjun focuses on destigmatizing mental illness, introducing his peers to sustainable self-care practices, and maximizing student involvement in wellness advocacy.
Professionally, Arjun specializes in advancing compassionate care for individuals grappling with substance use disorders, alongside pioneering HIV prevention strategies within substance use treatment settings. His national leadership extends to the Student Advisory Board of the American Academy of HIV Medicine. As a member of the Active Minds National Student Board, Arjun aims to fortify inter-chapter communication networks, ensuring that campus leaders across the country are empowered to act as effective mental health champions within their respective communities.
Ivanna Sintes-Klein (She/Her)
- Institution: The University of Texas at Austin
- Areas 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, Student Health Advisory Committee.
Ivanna Sintes-Klein is a seasoned organizer and peer support pioneer with a profound dedication to building inclusive, supportive communities. Prior to her time at UT Austin, Ivanna attended Texas State University, where she founded Bobcat C.A.R.E. (Creating Awareness, Resiliency, and Empowerment)—the university’s first mental health advocacy organization—which earned Organization of the Year honors under her leadership.
At UT Austin, Ivanna continues her mission as a Chapter Founder and President of Teddy Bear Hospital USA, a national nonprofit that utilizes play-based education to alleviate children’s medical anxiety while fostering health empathy. Certified in peer support and mental health first aid, she serves as a Longhorn SHARE Support Specialist and was officially appointed to the Student Health Advisory Committee via the UT Student Government. Ivanna’s life’s work centers on ensuring that every student feels safe, heard, and equipped to ask for help. In her leisure time, Ivanna enjoys playing pool and writing poetry.
Official Statements and Institutional Vision
The leadership of Active Minds has consistently emphasized that the Student Advisory Committee is the beating heart of the organization’s national strategy. By elevating young adults who are actively navigating the realities of higher education, Active Minds ensures its programs remain authentic, timely, and impactful.
National staff members frequently highlight that the SAC provides an indispensable feedback loop. Whether advising on the rollout of digital wellness toolkits, shaping the curriculum for regional leadership conferences, or consulting on national advocacy campaigns targeting federal legislation, the committee members serve as vital conduits between institutional strategy and student reality.
Future Outlook: The Path Ahead for the 2026–2027 Cohort
As the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee embarks on its tenure, the road ahead is filled with ambitious initiatives. Over the coming academic year, the cohort will spearhead several key priorities:
- Expanding Chapter Networks: Strengthening peer-to-peer communication channels across hundreds of college and university campuses to share best practices in mental health programming.
- Advocating for Systemic Reform: Leveraging their collective platforms to push for increased funding for campus counseling centers, culturally competent care, and integrated public health policies at both state and federal levels.
- Destigmatizing Conversations: Utilizing media platforms, campus forums, and national conferences to normalize conversations surrounding mental illness, substance use recovery, and emotional vulnerability among Gen Z.
How to Get Involved
Active Minds encourages students, educators, and community members who wish to collaborate with their local campus representatives—or seek guidance on driving mental health action within their communities—to reach out directly via email at [email protected].
With leaders like Kailani, Dio, Rhea, Amy, Arjun, and Ivanna steering the national conversation, the future of mental health advocacy is in exceptionally capable, compassionate, and visionary hands.
