Executive Overview
Mental health advocacy in the United States has reached a critical juncture, defined by unprecedented rates of anxiety, depression, and systemic burnout among young adults. At the forefront of combating these challenges is Active Minds, the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Driving this mission at the grassroots and national levels is the organization’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC)—a hand-selected cohort of dynamic youth and young adult leaders.
The unveiling of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee marks a pivotal milestone for the organization. Composed of exceptional student changemakers from universities and colleges across the country, the incoming cohort serves a dual mandate: amplifying the student voice on national media platforms and advising Active Minds’ national staff on student engagement, community building, program planning, chapter management, and National Conference execution.
Powered entirely by Gen Z activists, the SAC is an indispensable engine within the broader national mental health movement. These student leaders bridge the gap between academic research, community-level outreach, and national health policy. This report provides an in-depth examination of the newly appointed 2026–2027 cohort, detailing their individual backgrounds, campus leadership initiatives, academic ambitions, and the systemic impact they aim to achieve during their tenure.
Detailed Chronology: The Evolution and Selection of the 2026–2027 Cohort
The establishment of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee is the culmination of a rigorous, nationwide search process designed to identify students who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in mental health advocacy on their campuses and within their local communities.
The Selection Framework
Active Minds evaluates applicants based on criteria that include leadership experience, a proven commitment to destigmatizing mental illness, intersectional advocacy, and an understanding of public health frameworks. The selected members represent a diverse cross-section of geographic regions, academic disciplines, and lived experiences, ensuring that the committee’s national advisement reflects the complex realities of today’s student body.
A Cohort of Visionaries
The 2026–2027 SAC cohort brings together brilliant minds pursuing careers in medicine, public health, computer science, and biological research. Below is the comprehensive profile of the student leaders steering Active Minds into 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.
- Profile & Vision: Kailani Goggans approaches mental health through the lens of community care and intersectional advocacy. On her campus, she works tirelessly to educate and inspire her peers to become active participants in their communities. Looking ahead, Kailani plans to pursue a joint MD and Master’s in Public Health, aiming to integrate clinical medical practice with structural community policy and actionable public health reform. Outside of her rigorous academic and advocacy schedules, she enjoys indoor cycling, caring for her animals, and playing 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.
- Profile & Vision: As a first-generation Chicano-CHamoru student, Dionisio Taitano-Samora brings an invaluable perspective to the committee regarding equity, access, and representation. His advocacy focuses on constructing a more equitable education system for students of color. Through his work with organizations like Young Invincibles, Dio actively campaigns for policies that support young adult mental health, workforce readiness, and healthcare access. His long-term professional goal is to research access to STEM education and its direct correlation with public health outcomes to drive legislative health equity. Outside the classroom, Dio is an avid hiker, culinary explorer, and language learner.
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).
- Profile & Vision: Rhea Makkuni sits at the fascinating intersection of computational technology and mental health research. In the PALS Lab, she applies artificial intelligence to study mood disorders. On campus, her leadership of the Active Minds chapter tackles complex global and local mental health challenges, such as fragmented care systems, resource navigation barriers, and persistent societal stigma. Rhea combines her scientific rigor with a vibrant community spirit, enjoying biking, singing, dancing, and deep conversations with friends in her spare time.
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; Member, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
- Profile & Vision: Amy Senkerik is a powerhouse of academic and advocacy achievement. A veteran of the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute and a speaker at the Active Minds Congressional Briefing in May, Amy’s resume includes cancer-neuroscience research at the Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai, internships at Harvard Medical School, and a Fulbright scholarship at the University of Toronto. Operating as an Emergency Medical Technician, Amy understands healthcare needs from both an emergency clinical setting and a systemic policy perspective. She aims to practice as a physician bridging mental health, clinical research, and public policy. An endurance athlete who ran the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, Amy also loves rock climbing, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.
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.
- Profile & Vision: Arjun Nair is deeply dedicated to dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health while introducing his peers to sustainable self-care practices. Professionally, Arjun focuses on advancing compassionate care frameworks for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, alongside HIV prevention within treatment settings. Through his research on behavioral health and substance use, Arjun strives to strengthen campus chapter connectivity and empower young adults to become mental health champions in their hometowns and universities.
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.
- Profile & Vision: Ivanna Sintes-Klein’s advocacy career is defined by institution-building. Before transferring to UT Austin, she founded Bobcat C.A.R.E. (Creating Awareness, Resiliency, and Empowerment) at Texas State University—the campus’s first mental health advocacy organization, which earned Organization of the Year honors under her leadership. At UT Austin, she continues her impact through peer support training, mental health first aid, and student health policy advisement. Ivanna is deeply committed to ensuring that students always feel heard, supported, and equipped to ask for help. In her free time, she writes poetry and plays pool.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The State of Gen Z Mental Health
The launch of the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee does not occur in a vacuum; it responds to an urgent public health imperative. According to national health metrics and reports from the American College Health Association:
- Rising Need: Over 60% of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem, such as depression or generalized anxiety disorder.
- The Advocacy Gap: While awareness has grown, structural barriers—including fragmented mental health systems, long wait times for campus counseling, and cultural stigma—continue to hinder early intervention.
- The Power of Peer-to-Peer Models: Studies show that young adults are significantly more likely to seek help when encouraged by peers. Programs like Active Minds chapters and the Student Advisory Committee leverage this peer-to-peer dynamic to drive behavioral change and reduce suicide rates nationwide.
By advising national staff on chapter management and conference planning, the SAC directly influences thousands of students across hundreds of high school and college campuses, scaling localized interventions into nationwide movements.
Official Statements and Institutional Impact
Active Minds national leadership has consistently highlighted the SAC as the heartbeat of the organization.
"The Student Advisory Committee represents the absolute best of the next generation of leaders," notes national program leadership. "These students do not just talk about change; they engineer it in laboratories, hospital clinics, student governments, and grassroots chapters. Their guidance ensures that Active Minds remains agile, impactful, and deeply attuned to the real-time needs of today’s youth."
The committee’s collaborative approach ensures that national campaigns resonate authentically with Gen Z audiences. Whether advocating on Capitol Hill—as demonstrated by members like Amy Senkerik—or conducting pioneering AI research on mood disorders like Rhea Makkuni, SAC members embody the multidisciplinary approach required to solve modern mental health crises.
Future Outlook
As the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee steps into its tenure, the agenda ahead is ambitious. Key strategic focus areas for the upcoming term include:
- Expanding Chapter Networks: Strengthening inter-chapter communication and resource sharing to support newly established mental health organizations in high schools and universities.
- Policy and Legislative Advocacy: Amplifying youth perspectives on healthcare reform, substance use support systems, and institutional funding for campus mental health services.
- Innovative Resource Development: Utilizing modern communication channels and emerging technologies—such as peer support frameworks and digital health tools—to reach marginalized and underserved student populations.
For community members, educators, and students interested in collaborating with their local representatives or engaging in national mental health action, Active Minds encourages direct outreach via [email protected].
The work being done by Kailani, Dionisio, Rhea, Amy, Arjun, Ivanna, and their peers proves that the future of mental health advocacy is in exceptionally capable hands. Through resilience, research, and radical empathy, the 2026–2027 Active Minds Student Advisory Committee is poised to leave an indelible mark on the nation’s well-being.
