Executive Overview
Mental health advocacy in higher education is experiencing a profound generational shift, driven by young leaders who refuse to view psychological well-being as a secondary campus concern. 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. Recently, the organization introduced its prestigious 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee (SAC), a dynamic cohort of exceptional Gen Z student leaders poised to shape the national discourse on youth mental health.
The SAC functions as the vital bridge between millions of college and university students nationwide and the national leadership of Active Minds. Committee members act as national media representatives, student voices in key civic forums, and strategic advisors to national staff. Their responsibilities span program planning, community building, national conference development, and the overarching management of campus chapters.
As youth-led activism continues to redefine public health standards across the United States, this newly announced cohort represents a diverse cross-section of geographic, academic, and cultural backgrounds. From molecular biology researchers applying artificial intelligence to mood disorders to first-generation advocates fighting for educational equity, the 2026–2027 SAC embodies a holistic, intersectional approach to mental healthcare. This report provides an in-depth look at the mandate of the Student Advisory Committee, profiles each of its visionary members, and explores the broader implications of youth-led mental health advocacy for the future of public policy and clinical medicine.
Detailed Chronology and Mandate of the Student Advisory Committee
The inception of the Active Minds Student Advisory Committee stemmed from a fundamental organizational recognition: sustainable mental health initiatives cannot be designed for young people in a vacuum; they must be designed by them. Over the past two decades, Active Minds has grown from a single campus chapter into a network encompassing thousands of student activists across hundreds of high school, college, and university campuses nationwide.
The Evolution of Student Leadership
Historically, youth engagement in mental health organizations was largely limited to localized campus fundraising and peer-to-peer support groups. However, as the youth mental health crisis escalated—accelerated by systemic stressors, social media pressures, and post-pandemic disruptions—the need for institutional youth governance became paramount.
The Active Minds SAC was established to formalize this pipeline of influence. The chronology of the committee’s operational year typically follows a rigorous cycle:
- Selection and Onboarding (Fall): Exceptional chapter leaders and campus advocates from across the nation undergo a competitive application process, evaluated on their leadership track record, advocacy vision, and commitment to marginalized communities.
- Strategic Advising and National Integration (Winter): The incoming cohort collaborates directly with Active Minds national staff to align campus-level realities with national campaign objectives, focusing heavily on upcoming National Conferences and legislative advocacy days.
- Execution and Media Representation (Spring): Committee members step into national spotlights, representing the Gen Z perspective at congressional briefings, medical conferences, and major media outlets.
- Legacy and Transition (Summer): Outgoing members mentor the incoming pipeline, ensuring institutional knowledge remains deeply anchored in youth leadership principles.
The 2026–2027 cohort enters its term at a critical juncture, tasked with addressing systemic barriers to care such as fragmented healthcare systems, continuity of care gaps, and persistent cultural stigmas.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The State of Gen Z Mental Health
To fully appreciate the gravity of the work undertaken by the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee, one must examine the pressing epidemiological and sociological data defining the current student landscape.
According to recent longitudinal studies by the American College Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Over 60% of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem, marking a historic high in psychological distress among young adults.
- Anxiety and Depression remain the top two impediments to academic performance, frequently intersecting with financial insecurity, systemic discrimination, and academic burnout.
- The Treatment Gap: Despite rising rates of diagnosis, nearly half of students reporting severe psychological distress do not receive adequate professional treatment due to financial barriers, long wait times at campus counseling centers, and lingering social stigmas.
The Power of Peer-Led Intervention
Research consistently demonstrates that peer-led mental health advocacy yields significantly higher engagement rates among college students than top-down institutional messaging. Initiatives spearheaded by student-run organizations like Active Minds leverage peer trust, creating safe environments where individuals feel validated rather than pathologized.
The 2026–2027 SAC members do not merely study these metrics in academic settings; they actively combat them on their respective campuses through peer support training, policy advocacy, and community-building programs.
Meet the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee Cohort
The six student leaders selected for the 2026–2027 cohort bring an extraordinary array of talents, lived experiences, and professional aspirations to their national roles. Below are their comprehensive profiles:
1. Kailani Goggans (She/Her)
- Institution: Salem College
- Field of Study: Psychological Science & Public Health
- Campus Leadership: President, Active Minds Salem College; President, Students for Reproductive Freedom; President, Siblings Demand Justice.
Kailani Goggans is deeply rooted in the philosophy of community care, wellness, and intersectional advocacy. On her campus, she serves a pivotal leadership role, guiding multiple organizations dedicated to human rights, reproductive freedom, and mental health equity. Kailani’s academic trajectory is driven by a desire to bridge clinical practice with public policy; she plans to attend medical school to obtain both an M.D. and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH). In her advocacy work, she consistently challenges her peers to look beyond individual wellness and examine the systemic determinants of health. Outside of her rigorous academic and leadership schedule, Kailani enjoys indoor cycling, caring for her animals, and immersing herself in video games.
2. Dionisio (Dio) Taitano-Samora (He/They)
- Institution: Colorado State University Pueblo
- Field of Study: Public Health (Minors in Spanish and Leadership Studies)
- Campus & National Affiliations: Member, Young Invincibles Colorado Youth Advisory Board; Contributor, The Hub for Youth Centered Engagement.
As a first-generation Chicano-CHamoru student, Dionisio "Dio" Taitano-Samora brings an invaluable perspective on equity, access, and representation to the SAC. Dio’s work focuses heavily on dismantling institutional barriers that disproportionately impact students of color within the educational and healthcare systems. Through his role on the Young Invincibles’ Youth Advisory Board for Colorado, Dio actively lobbies for policies that protect and expand young adult access to mental healthcare, workforce development, and affordable healthcare services. Academically, he aims to conduct groundbreaking research on STEM education access and its direct correlation to public health outcomes. When he is not organizing or studying, Dio can be found hiking, experimenting with new culinary recipes, and learning new languages.
3. Rhea Makkuni (She/Her)
- Institution: Johns Hopkins University
- Field of Study: Molecular and Cellular Biology & Computer Science
- Campus Leadership: President, Active Minds at Johns Hopkins University
- Research: PALS Lab, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Rhea Makkuni sits at the fascinating intersection of hard science, advanced computation, and human empathy. At Johns Hopkins, she conducts cutting-edge research in the PALS Lab, leveraging artificial intelligence to study and better understand mood disorders. As President of her university’s Active Minds chapter, Rhea confronts global mental health challenges head-on—tackling issues such as fragmented healthcare delivery systems, the lack of continuity of care, and systemic barriers to resource navigation. Her unique ability to synthesize technical data with grassroots advocacy makes her a powerful voice on the national committee. In her personal time, Rhea enjoys cycling, engaging in endless conversations with friends, and expressing her creativity through singing and dancing.
4. Amy Senkerik (She/Her)
- Institution: Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University
- Field of Study: Biological Science & Global Health (Certificate in Evolutionary Medicine)
- Campus & National Affiliations: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; ASU Counseling Services Outreach Team; Refugee Education and Clinic Team.
- Notable Honors: Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute alumna; Speaker, Active Minds Congressional Briefing (May); Fulbright Scholar research program participant (University of Toronto); Harvard Medical School intern; Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai researcher.
Amy Senkerik possesses an extensive resume of academic, clinical, and advocacy achievements. Passionate about suicide prevention and public health at all levels—individual, community, and systemic—Amy has presented before federal lawmakers at an Active Minds Congressional Briefing and completed prestigious research fellowships at Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic, and Cedars-Sinai. In addition to her heavy research load in cancer neuroscience, Amy serves as a practicing Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and leads the Refugee Education and Clinic Team. A dedicated endurance athlete, she completed the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon and has studied global health abroad in Australia. Amy ultimately aspires to practice as a physician operating at the critical nexus of mental health research, clinical medicine, and public policy.
5. Arjun Nair (He/Him)
- Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
- Field of Study: Biology (Guaranteed Medical Admissions Program)
- Campus Leadership: President, Active Minds at VCU
- National Affiliations: Student Advisory Board, American Academy of HIV Medicine.
Arjun Nair is dedicated to transforming how the medical community approaches behavioral health, substance use disorders, and marginalized populations. As President of Active Minds at VCU, Arjun focuses on destigmatizing mental health discussions, promoting sustainable self-care routines among high-stress college students, and driving robust campus engagement. Professionally, Arjun’s research and advocacy center on compassionate care for individuals grappling with substance use disorders, as well as advancing HIV prevention strategies within treatment settings. By serving on the Student Advisory Board of the American Academy of HIV Medicine and the Active Minds National Student Board, Arjun aims to fortify inter-chapter connectivity and empower young people to become changemakers in their local communities.
6. Ivanna Sintes-Klein (She/Her)
- Institution: The University of Texas at Austin (Formerly Texas State University)
- Field of Study: Health Promotion and Behavioral Science (Minor in Health Communication)
- Campus Leadership: Chapter Founder and President, Teddy Bear Hospital USA at UT; Longhorn SHARE Support Specialist; Student Government Representative on the Student Health Advisory Committee.
- Previous Leadership: Founder and President, Bobcat C.A.R.E. (Texas State University—named Organization of the Year).
Ivanna Sintes-Klein is a seasoned campus organizer with a proven track record of building mental health infrastructure from the ground up. Before transferring to UT Austin, she founded Bobcat C.A.R.E. at Texas State University, earning "Organization of the Year" honors for her groundbreaking mental health advocacy work. At UT Austin, she continues her leadership legacy as a Chapter Founder and President of Teddy Bear Hospital USA (a nonprofit utilizing play to reduce medical anxiety in children), a Longhorn SHARE Support Specialist trained in peer mental health first aid, and a Student Health Advisory Committee representative. Ivanna’s life’s work is dedicated to ensuring that no student ever feels alone when navigating psychological distress. In her downtime, she enjoys playing pool and writing poetry.
Future Outlook: The Road Ahead for National Youth Advocacy
The appointment of the 2026–2027 Active Minds Student Advisory Committee arrives at a pivotal moment in public health history. As mental health increasingly moves from the margins of social consciousness to the center of legislative and institutional agendas, the voices of young adults will be instrumental in shaping effective policy.
Looking forward, the national Active Minds organization, bolstered by the strategic insights of Kailani Goggans, Dionisio Taitano-Samora, Rhea Makkuni, Amy Senkerik, Arjun Nair, and Ivanna Sintes-Klein, plans to scale its impact across several key pillars:
- Expanding Institutional Partnerships: Collaborating with university administrators to integrate peer-support frameworks directly into academic counseling structures.
- Legislative Advocacy: Utilizing the lived experiences of student leaders to lobby state and federal representatives for increased mental health funding in educational settings.
- Combating Systemic Stigma: Developing culturally competent, intersectional outreach campaigns that resonate with historically underrepresented and marginalized student demographics.
How to Get Involved
Active Minds encourages campus chapters, educators, community leaders, and students to collaborate closely with their regional and national representatives. For inquiries regarding how to partner with the 2026–2027 Student Advisory Committee or how to take actionable steps toward mental health advocacy within your local community, stakeholders are encouraged to contact [email protected].
Through the unwavering dedication of Gen Z leaders like those on the 2026–2027 SAC, the future of mental healthcare is being rewritten—transforming awareness into action, and isolation into community.
