Mental health advocacy across high schools and college campuses in the United States has reached a critical juncture, defined by unprecedented demand for psychological support services, persistent systemic barriers, and a growing grassroots youth movement. In response to this evolving landscape, Active Minds—the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults—has officially announced the induction of its 2025–2026 Student Advisory Committee (SAC).
Comprising a diverse, highly accomplished cohort of student leaders from across the country, the newly appointed SAC acts as the principal national representative body for thousands of student advocates. This committee bridges the gap between grassroots campus chapters and national organizational strategy, helping to shape initiatives, guide resource allocation, and inform the trajectory of national mental health programs.
The 2025–2026 cohort steps into its leadership role at a time when youth-led mental health activism is more essential than ever. Drawing from a wide spectrum of lived experiences—spanning rural backgrounds, multi-ethnic heritages, first-generation academic journeys, and intersectional advocacy spaces—these student leaders are uniquely positioned to address the complex cultural, systemic, and economic barriers that prevent young people from accessing adequate mental health care.
Detailed Chronology of the 2025–2026 SAC Selection and Induction
The path to forming the 2025–2026 Student Advisory Committee involved a rigorous, nationwide search designed to identify young adults who demonstrate exceptional leadership, a deep commitment to mental health equity, and a proven track record of community organizing.
The Application and Evaluation Phase
The selection process began months prior to the public announcement, inviting student leaders involved with Active Minds chapters, leadership academies, and allied youth organizations to submit candidacies. Applicants were evaluated on several core criteria:
- Demonstrated Impact: A history of tangible contributions to campus or community mental health initiatives.
- Intersectional Awareness: An understanding of how race, socioeconomic status, geography, and gender identity intersect with mental health outcomes.
- Vision for National Advocacy: Clear, actionable ideas for scaling local campus successes to a national level.
Finalizing the Roster
Following comprehensive reviews and interview panels, Active Minds selected a dynamic group of six exceptional student leaders who represent the geographic, cultural, and academic diversity of the American student body. This cohort reflects a deliberate effort by Active Minds to elevate voices from historically underrepresented communities, ensuring that the organization’s strategic initiatives are informed by those most impacted by systemic healthcare disparities.
Meet the Members: Profiles in Leadership
The strength of the 2025–2026 Student Advisory Committee lies in the distinct perspectives, academic pursuits, and advocacy backgrounds of its individual members. Below is a comprehensive look at the student leaders driving this year’s national agenda.
Nadira Akilo — University of Texas at Austin
Representing the University of Texas at Austin, Nadira (she/her) is a biology major on the pre-mixed track whose advocacy is deeply rooted in her upbringing. Growing up in a rural East Texas town where mental health discussions were frequently sidelined, Nadira navigated cultural stigmas stemming from her African American and Asian heritage.
Her introduction to structured advocacy began through the Mental Health Advocacy and Leadership Academy, equipping her with the skills to facilitate vital dialogues around well-being. As an SAC member, Nadira aims to foster a culture of vulnerability and representation for minority communities, utilizing accessible mediums like pop culture to demystify mental health. Beyond Active Minds, she is immersed in psychiatric research, participates actively in student government, and ultimately plans to pursue a career in medicine as either a psychiatrist or a surgeon.
Varsha Penumalee — Virginia Commonwealth University
At Virginia Commonwealth University, Varsha (she/her) pursues a biology major supplemented by minors in chemistry, Spanish, and pre-medicine. Her leadership footprint extends far beyond her home institution. Varsha serves as Co-President of Active Minds at VCU while simultaneously holding high-level leadership roles within statewide and national organizations.
Notably, she serves as President of the Youth MOVE Virginia/NAMI Virginia Youth Advisory Board and sits on the Youth MOVE National Board of Directors. Her academic and professional focus centers on public health, health equity, and eradicating disparities in medical care for underserved populations. Through her appointment to the Active Minds SAC, Varsha brings extensive experience in governance, peer support scaling, and youth-driven mental health policy.
Marissa Smith — Rider University
Marissa (she/her), a junior psychology major with a minor in criminal justice at Rider University, brings a specialized focus on suicide awareness and prevention to the advisory committee. Her commitment to student empowerment is reflected in her active roles across campus.
Marissa serves as an official ambassador for the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE). Additionally, she acts as a mentor within the Gail Biernbaum Leadership Council and the Psychology Learning Community, combining academic inquiry with hands-on peer support to cultivate resilient campus environments.
Angel Velazquez — Lake Tahoe Community College
A student at Lake Tahoe Community College studying mathematics and physics with ambitions to transfer into aerospace engineering, Angel (he/him) exemplifies holistic student advocacy. Serving as a Student Senator, Food Pantry Lead, and Basic Needs Mentor, Angel works on the front lines of student welfare, addressing the foundational needs—such as food security and resource accessibility—that directly impact mental health.
Angel’s passion for mental health advocacy stems from his lived experiences as a first-generation Latino student balancing demanding academic loads, leadership responsibilities, and family expectations. His SAC tenure focuses on dismantling stigma and ensuring that marginalized community college students can seamlessly locate and utilize vital support resources. Outside of his advocacy work, Angel is heavily involved in aviation and engineering projects, including flight performance modeling, robotics, and training for his private pilot license.
Vashti Trujillo — Colorado State University Pueblo
Hailing from Pueblo, Colorado, Vashti (she/her) is a seasoned policy advocate, organizer, and researcher with an extensive national profile. Serving as Vice President of the Associated Students’ Government at Colorado State University Pueblo, Vashti has consistently worked to elevate student voices in high-level legislative and institutional policymaking.
Her advocacy portfolio includes collaborations with prominent organizations such as Common Cause, Young Invincibles, and New Era Colorado, where she champions systemic equity and accessible mental health infrastructure. Vashti’s voice has resonated on prestigious platforms, including events hosted by the Aspen Institute and the White House Youth Policy Summit. As an SAC member, she continues her mission of centering the stories of young women, first-generation students, and communities of color in national education and mental health discourse.
Faria Tavacoli — University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Faria (she/they/ella) is a public health and neuroscience major at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who brings a deeply personal, intersectional lens to her advocacy work. As a health worker, mental health advocate, and survivor, Faria serves as an Active Minds Chapter Student Director, designing inclusive campus spaces and educational initiatives that encourage peers to seek help.
By joining the SAC, Faria aims to amplify youth-led systems of care that prioritize resilience, dignity, and restorative justice on a national scale. Drawing on survivorship and public health principles, she seeks to bridge direct service with systemic social justice. Outside of her leadership commitments, Faria enjoys skateboarding, book collecting, and choreographing dances.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The State of Youth Mental Health
The formation of the 2025–2026 Student Advisory Committee occurs against the backdrop of a well-documented mental health crisis across American educational institutions. Public health data underscores the urgency of youth-led advocacy:
- Rising Demand for Services: According to longitudinal studies by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), the demand for campus counseling center services has continued to outpace university enrollment growth, signaling an unprecedented need for accessible, upstream prevention frameworks.
- The Power of Peer-Led Intervention: Research consistently demonstrates that peer-led advocacy models—such as those championed by Active Minds chapters—are uniquely effective at breaking down cultural stigmas, encouraging early intervention, and reaching students who might otherwise avoid traditional clinical settings.
- Intersectionality and Access: Disparities in mental health outcomes among first-generation students, LGBTQ+ youth, and students of color highlight the necessity for targeted, culturally competent advocacy. The 2025–2026 SAC cohort’s diverse demographic makeup directly addresses these gaps by embedding lived experience into national policy discussions.
Official Statements and Strategic Vision
The leadership of Active Minds emphasizes that the Student Advisory Committee is not merely an honorary body, but a core engine of the organization’s operational strategy.
"The young adults selected for the Student Advisory Committee represent the absolute best of the mental health movement," organizational leadership noted in the announcement. "They do not just talk about change; they actively engineer it within their communities. By elevating their voices to a national platform, we ensure that Active Minds’ programs, national conferences, and local chapter engagements remain authentically responsive to the real-time needs of today’s students."
Through direct collaboration with national staff, the SAC will guide the implementation of upcoming nationwide campaigns, advise on resource development for campus chapters, and serve as keynote spokespeople at regional and national conferences. Their collective expertise—spanning psychiatric research, public health policy, basic needs advocacy, and grassroots organizing—positions them to enact sweeping, systemic improvements to the student mental health landscape.
Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead for the 2025–2026 SAC
As the 2025–2026 Student Advisory Committee officially commences its term, members are already laying the groundwork for upcoming initiatives. Key focal points for the upcoming year include:
- Expanding Chapter Empowerment: Developing enhanced toolkits and mentorship frameworks for hundreds of Active Minds chapters nationwide to improve peer support efficacy.
- Advocating for Systemic Equity: Collaborating with external stakeholders, educational policymakers, and institutional administrators to embed mental health literacy and resource accessibility into core academic frameworks.
- Amplifying Marginalized Voices: Spearheading specialized outreach campaigns tailored to first-generation students, rural populations, and minority communities where mental health stigmas remain deeply entrenched.
Through a powerful combination of legislative advocacy, peer-to-peer education, and unyielding dedication, the newly appointed Student Advisory Committee is poised to redefine the future of youth mental health care in America—proving once again that students are not merely passive recipients of support, but the primary architects of a healthier, more compassionate society.
