Active Minds Student Advisory Committee Application 2026-2027

Student Advisory Committee Information

Thank you for your interest in joining the Active Minds Student Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC is a selective, national advisory and peer-to-peer support group composed of select student leaders from colleges and universities across the United States. Serving as a youth leadership body, SAC members provide a vital student perspective to Active Minds’ work by collaborating closely with national staff, the Board of Directors, and the National Advisory Committee. SAC members support, encourage, and empower students to actively participate in the chapter community through peer-to-peer connections. They advise the national team on student engagement strategies, program planning, chapter management, National Conference preparation, and program promotion, and represent the Active Minds student voice on a national scale.

Applications Open: Monday, June 22, 2026, at 12:00 AM EST

Application Deadline: Friday, July 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST

Compensation: All SAC members will receive a stipend of $250.00 (USD) twice per semester (Fall and Spring), for a total of $1,000.00 (USD) during the term, in recognition of their time, dedication, and effort. Stipend payments are contingent upon the member remaining in good standing as described in the Performance Accountability section below.

Eligibility and requirements for serving on the SAC

All SAC members must maintain registered student status with a campus.
If an SAC member takes time off from classes, they must remain in the campus system to remain on the SAC. If a SAC member takes more than one semester of leave from school, they will be asked to step down and re-apply for the SAC the next term that they are registered (SAC members can stay on the SAC for up to one semester while taking leave from school).
All SAC members must be members of an Active Minds chapter or a representative of one of our campus-based partner organizations, while serving their terms; if an SAC member transfers schools half-way through an academic year, they can serve out the remaining SAC term but will no longer be eligible for SAC membership after that unless they join or start a chapter at their new school.
Members who graduate from their high school, college, or university in the course of their term may serve the remainder of the academic year as a member of the SAC but will not be eligible to re-apply for their position until they have completed at least two semesters at another school or towards another degree.

Applicant Information

1. First name:

2. Last name

3. If you would like to share your pronouns (ie. she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, etc.):

4. Email address:

5. Phone number:

6. Are you currently part of an Active Minds Chapter?

Yes, I am a part of an Active Minds Chapter.No, I am not part of an Active Minds Chapter.

Current Chapter Leadership Role (if applicable)

7. Majors, minors, or other academic programs:

8. Full school name (no abbreviations):

9. School, City & State

10. School Characteristics (Select all that apply)

11. Please tell us in 2-3 paragraphs why you would like to be part of the Active Minds Student Advisory Committee and what qualities, knowledge, and experience you bring to the SAC. Please include information about your involvement in your Active Minds chapter (leadership roles, events you helped to plan, initiatives you have spearheaded) and your leadership experience.

12. Please tell us in 1-2 paragraphs about an accomplishment, challenge, creative program, or something else you’re proud of in your experience of student mental health leadership.

13. In 1-2 paragraphs, please tell us how you plan to balance your role on the SAC with your academic, work, extracurricular, or other responsibilities. How will you ensure you remain actively engaged in SAC commitments, such as participating in monthly calls, being responsive to emails, engaging in Active Minds’ Learning Management System (LMS) network, contributing to the Active Minds Mental Health Conference, and representing the organization in media opportunities, whether in person or remotely, as well as participating in blog writing and other outreach efforts?

14. Please upload a PDF version of your letter or recommendation. Acceptable letters of recommendation are letters from faculty, staff or current/previous supervisors. Please ensure contact info is included on their letterhead

15. Full name of the person recommending you

Roles & Responsibilities

Chapter Engagement & Network Support

Participate in all required virtual engagements, including:
- Orientation
- Media and Equity & Inclusion trainings

Team meetings, 1:1 check-ins, chapter chats, and chapter support sessions

Provide strategic input on chapter initiatives, including but not limited to fundraising, communications, advocacy campaigns, programs, and events
Facilitate or co-lead peer support sessions for chapters requiring additional guidance
Attend and co-lead chapter welcome sessions for new and returning chapter
Attend mandatory and ad hoc meetings with SAC members and national staff
Actively support and promote Active Minds programs and campaigns through personal and chapter networks
Collaborate with national staff and external partners on projects, campaigns, and interviews

Communications & Storytelling

Publish at least one original blog post on the Active Minds platform during the term
Actively engage with the chapter network in the Active Minds LMS community (anticipated to launch in fall 2026)
Represent Active Minds through storytelling when appropriate, including media opportunities, donor engagement, and organizational platforms
Maintain professional responsiveness by replying to all SAC-related communications within 48 hours (2 business days), as some requests can be time-sensitive

Conference Planning & Participation

Participate in the planning and execution of the Active Minds Mental Health Conference
Attend and contribute meaningfully to conference programming

Eligibility & Participation Requirements

SAC members are expected to meet the following commitments consistently and professionally:

To maintain integrity and accountability, the following requirements are strictly enforced:

Enrollment Status: Members must remain actively enrolled in a college or university throughout their
Leave of Absence Policy: Members may remain on the SAC for no more than one academic semester while on an approved leave of Members whose leave extends beyond one semester must step down and may reapply upon re-enrollment.
Chapter Affiliation: Members must maintain active involvement with an Active Minds chapter or an approved campus partner organization. Members who transfer institutions may complete their term; continued eligibility requires joining or establishing a chapter at the new
Graduation: Members graduating during their term may complete the academic year but are not eligible to reapply until they have completed at least two semesters in a new academic program

Performance Accountability

SAC Members are expected to maintain consistent participation, communication, and engagement with all required responsibilities to remain in good standing with Active Minds. If a SAC Member is unable to fulﬁll required responsibilities, they must provide a timely written explanation, including relevant details and supporting documentation where applicable. Failure to meet performance expectations or to provide sufficient and timely notice with supporting documentation may result in corrective action, including:

A change in Member status (e.g., probationary status)
Removal from the SAC
Partial or full forfeiture of stipend

All determinations regarding member status and stipend eligibility will be made at the sole discretion of Active Minds, based on the member’s overall performance, communication, and contribution during the term.

Possible opportunities include:

In addition to fulﬁlling the responsibilities described above, SAC members may have access to the following opportunities, which are offered at the discretion of Active Minds and are not guaranteed:

National-level leadership and advocacy experience
Direct mentorship and networking with Active Minds staff, Board members, policy makers, industry leaders, and mental health professionals
Professional development in mental health advocacy, communications, and program development
Eligibility for national awards, media features, and conference participation
Sponsored opportunities to attend the Active Minds Mental Health Conference and potential visits to Washington, C.

Recommendation Requirement

Submit one PDF letter of recommendation from a faculty member, staff member, or supervisor
The letter must include:
- Official letterhead
- Contact information
- Recommender’s full name

Incomplete applications, missing documents, or failure to meet eligibility requirements will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed following the July 17 deadline. Selected candidates will be contacted directly. Final decisions will be announced by August 17, 2026.

For questions, contact: chapters@activeminds.org

Thank you for your commitment to Active Minds and your continued time and energy in championing a new era of mental health!

Contact Information