<< Active Minds Blog

A big thank you to our incredible Summer 2024 interns, our biggest advocates for mental health awareness! Every semester, our class of interns at Active Minds contributes to important initiatives, including chapter support, program development, fundraising, and so much more. We’re grateful for the work our interns have done this summer and their contributions toward mental health awareness.

Meet Sara Valencia

Where are you from?I am from Orlando, FL.

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?I attend Duke University and am a neuroscience major with a certificate in human rights.

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?I’m a Chapters Team intern for the spring semester.

What famous person would you love to meet?I’d love to meet Hozier.

How do you spend your free time?I like reading historical fiction, watching A24 movies, and baking.

What is your dream job?
My dream job is to be a psychiatrist and global mental health researcher.

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie?I would be Elizabeth Bennet from “Pride & Prejudice.”

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds?
I wanted to work with an organization that recognizes the importance of providing mental health support and decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health struggles.


Meet Sam McCracken

Where are you from?
Scottsdale, Arizona

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
University of Nebraska – Lincoln; Clifton Builders Management

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
MarComm; I hope to expand my knowledge of Digital Marketing and better understand how to manage multiple components of a project in a highly functioning organization.

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, anyone who inspires you!)

I would love to meet Patrick Mahomes!

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!) 

In my free time I enjoy Barbecuing, listening to country music, and hanging out with my friends! 

What is your dream job?

Professional Lottery Winner, however if that doesn’t work out my dream job would be Chief Marketing Officer.

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!) ‍

Phineas From Phineas and Ferb because of his creativity and great hair color!

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!) 

Growing up in the age of ever-evolving technology, it’s hard not to be mesmerized by the innovation and paradigm changes happening in our world. Another trend we have seen throughout the rise of technology is the emphasis on mental health awareness. Mental health awareness is something I am deeply passionate about. Combining these passions allows me to use digital platforms to raise awareness and promote mental well-being.


Meet Amanda Michael 

Where are you from?
I’m from Kansas City, Kansas.

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I’m an upcoming senior at the Kansas City Art Institute for graphic design.

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
I interned for the graphic design department. When I started my internship here, I wanted to learn about designing with accessibility and audience in mind, and how to advocate for mental health awareness through design. I also wanted to strengthen my technical skills in the programs I use!

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, or anyone who inspires you!)
I would love to meet graphic designer Mohamed Samir. His dynamic Arabic calligraphy and typography heavily inspire my design work and encourage me to explore multilingual perspectives in my work. He’s an incredible designer who highlights the beauty of the Arabic language.

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!)
I enjoy finding new cooking recipes, working out at the gym, knitting, and being around the people I love most!

What is your dream job?
My dream job is to be an in-house designer where I can make a difference, especially in social advocacy. I know I have a lot to learn, which makes it all the more exciting!

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!) ‍
I’ve always appreciated Chihiro from Spirited Away for her bravery and perseverance when facing obstacles.

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!)
I wanted to intern at Active Minds to gain the skills needed to design around mental health, especially regarding younger people. As a young Egyptian woman who comes from a community where mental health is stigmatized, I wanted to get the conversation around it started. Being an intern at Active Minds gave me hands-on experience with that from a design perspective.


Meet Krystn Whitty

Where are you from?
I am from Summerville, South Carolina

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I am obtaining my masters in marriage, couples, and family counselor education from the University of South Carolina.

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
I am a development intern. This is my second semester as a development intern, but my first doing work in foundations, so I hope to learn more about that area of the team.

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, anyone who inspires you!)
I would love to meet Jane Fonda! Aside from acting, she has been an activist for decades and is currently doing a lot of work for the environment. I find her so inspiring and would love to protest alongside of her.

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!)
I spend my free time with my friends and partner! I love to gather everyone together and cook dinner for them. We watch a lot of veterinary shows and play video games.

What is your dream job?
My dream job is balancing my time between running a homestead and being a marriage and family therapists.

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!)
If I could be anyone from a movie, it would be Morticia Addams. I think she’s the fiercest matriarch ever! I love her style, the dynamic she has with her family, and that she isn’t afraid to be different.

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!)
When I first applied to intern, I was the Vice-President of my universities Active Minds Chapter. I had become so passionate about the mission we had on campus that I wanted to expand on it. Being an intern with Active Minds took something that I loved and evolved it beyond what I originally imagined.


Meet Langdon Janos

Where are you from?
I’m from Los Angeles, CA.

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I go to Washington University in St. Louis, and I study Psychological and Brain Sciences with minors in Spanish and Children’s Studies.

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
I’m interning with the Development team as the Development Operations intern, and I am excited to be learning about the behind the scenes of a nonprofit and connecting with the team to get a broad survey of the various roles within the development world.

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, anyone who inspires you!)
I’d love to meet Simone Biles.

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!)
In my free time, I love to sing and play the piano, try out new recipes, and spend time with my friends!

What is your dream job?
My dream job has always been to be an actor!

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!)
If I could be any character, I would be Ted Lasso.

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!)
I am passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need, so when I came across Active Minds, I was immediately interested in the organization and resonated with the mission. I volunteer as a peer counselor at my university, and I’m so grateful to take on that role, but I know that not everyone on campus feels comfortable seeking help, which is why the work at Active Minds is so important.


Meet Aubrey Hill

Where are you from?
I am from Newmarket, New Hampshire.

Where do you go to school and what is your major?
I go to the University of Delaware and I am a Communication/Public Relations Major with minors in Advertising and Leadership.

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
I am interning for the Operations department. I hope to learn the behind the scenes of working for a non-profit and the roles and responsibilities that come with working in different departments. I am also looking forward to picking up hard and soft skills that I can apply to present and future professional experiences.

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, anyone who inspires you!)
I would love to meet Sarah Jessica Parker from one of my favorite shows, Sex and the City. I would love to hear about the filming process, the drama with the other actresses and learn more about the fashion from the show.

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!)
In my free time I like to go to the beach since I live 20 minutes from the coast! I love to spend time outside walking or hiking, spending time with friends and indulging in some retail therapy.

What is your dream job?
My dream job is to be a travel writer. I would love the opportunity to combine my passion with one of my interests in my future career.

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!) ‍
I would be Ren McCormack from my favorite movie Footloose. Ren wasn’t afraid to follow his dreams and use his passion to bring spirit back to a lifeless town.

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!)
Mental health has always been a very prominent topic in my family and especially in my life as a college student. When I learned more about what Active Minds was doing to change the culture around mental health, I knew it was an organization that I wanted to be involved in.


Meet Shay Desai

Where are you from?
Houston, TX

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I am a Psychology major at the University of Texas

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
I am the K-12 intern! I hope to learn about the prevalent mental health challenges facing our youth and play a role in generating solutions to these issues.

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, anyone who inspires you!)
JJ Watt- he’s my all-time favorite football player and is truly inspiring in the way he gives back to his community

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!) ‍
I am a diehard football fan (go Texans!) and love watching any sports. I’ve recently gotten into hiking and love traveling/exploring nature. And, I always enjoy trying new food with my friends!

What is your dream job?
I hope to open my own private practice as a Clinical Psychologist, potentially with a focus on youth/adolescents, especially young boys.

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!) ‍
Patrick Star- I admire the carefree way in which he lives life and his fierce loyalty to his best friends

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!)
The mission of Active Minds to change the conversation surrounding youth mental health deeply resonates with me. I want to provide a voice to groups who are often afraid to speak out about their mental health struggles, including young males and people of color like myself, who also account for disproportionately high numbers of mental illness.


Meet Keanu Villagonzalo

Where are you from?
Queens Village, New York

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major? UCLA and I’m a Mathematics of Computation

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
I’m interning with the Measurement Team. From this internship I hope to learn new technologies and ways of analyzing data.

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, anyone who inspires you!)
I’d love to meet Paul George. He’s a very inspirational hard NBA player, who’s very kind to his fans.

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!)
I spend my free time playing basketball or going on outdoor adventures! I also do club swimming and practice whenever I get the chance.

What is your dream job?

My dream is to one day run my own nonprofit, utilizing AI to further education in impoverished areas, especially around my home.

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!)
I would be Stitch from the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch. Stitch is a funny character always causing trouble because of his adventurous spirit.

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!)
In high school, one of our classmates died by suicide because of our inability to detect the warning signs. I wanted to intern with Active Minds because I wanted to address the mental health stigma and ensure help prevent events like that from happening again


Meet Anna Gefke

Where are you from?
I am from Bethesda, Maryland.

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I went to Wellesley College, majoring in Studio Art and minoring in Mathematics.

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
I am interning with the Development Team with Individual Giving and Community Fundraising. I hope to learn more about planning cultivation events, peer to peer fundraising, and how Active Minds communicates with donors and fundraisers.

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, anyone who inspires you!)
I would love to meet Greta Gerwig. It’s about time to watch Frances Ha again…

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!) ‍
I spend my free time hiking with friends, making art, and going to movies. I also run a lot!

What is your dream job?
My dream job would be a mix of making art and working with kids in some capacity.

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!) ‍
A recurring image from The Odd Life of Timothy Green keeps popping up in my head. The kid stands arms wide open in a forest and lets the sunlight in. I also get so much energy back from being in nature!

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!)
I wanted to work alongside people actively talking about mental health in an empowering way. Since working with Active Minds last semester, and seeing products like A.S.K. and Cause + Career I’ve grown in how I talk with friends and family about challenges with mental health.


Meet Pilar Parker 

Where are you from?
I’m from Charlotte, NC.

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I attend NC State University as a Psychology major.

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
I am interning for the Workforce Development department and I hope to learn effective communication skills and gain hands-on experience in the workplace.

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, anyone who inspires you!)
If I could meet a famous person, I would meet Writer-Director Greta Gerwig. I am inspired by her unique abilities to be an amazing storyteller and changemaker in the film industry.

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!) ‍
In my free time, I like to read books and watch my favorite tv shows.

What is your dream job?
My dream job is to be a clinical psychologist to help underserved communities.

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!) ‍
If I was a character, I would be Nancy Wheeler from Stranger Things. Similar to Nancy, I care about helping others and navigating life with empathy and advocacy.

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!)
I wanted to intern for Active Minds because I am passionate about mental health advocacy and education for everyone and hope to help change the conversation around mental health.


Meet Trace Terrell

Where are you from?
La Pine, Oregon

Where do you (or did you) go to school, and what is/was your major?
I’m a rising junior at Johns Hopkins University studying public health and writing seminars!

What department are you interning for, and what do you hope to learn this semester?
I’m interning with the Higher Education and Policy teams this semester! I look forward to learning how postsecondary mental health policy impacts the well-being of college students.

What famous person would you love to meet? (Think changemakers, innovators, anyone who inspires you!)
Emma Stone

How do you spend your free time? (We’re all about that work-life balance!) ‍
I love to hang out with friends, be outdoors, and explore crafts and ceramics.

What is your dream job?
I would love to work as a policy advisor in a state or federal governmental agency!

Who would you be if you had to be a character from a book or movie? (Think fierce, funny, or someone who embodies your spirit!) ‍
Otis Milburn from Sex Education!

Why did you want to intern for Active Minds? (Let us know what makes our mission special to you!)
Active Minds helped save my life in high school, and to now help expand its reach for others to have the same opportunity is one of the greatest experiences of my life.


We’re looking forward to seeing all the advocacy our summer 2024 interns will contribute to for these coming months! Interested in how you can become an Active Minds intern? Learn more about the Active Minds internship program and how you can apply to join us next semester here.

Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults.