Welcome to this semester’s cohort of Active Minds interns! We are so excited to work with this wonderful group of students in advancing our mission of changing the culture around mental health. Get to know them below:
Dee Cox
1. Where are you from?
I’m from Cleveland, Ohio, but I moved out to Maryland to go to school. I really love it out here.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I go to Towson University and I’m studying graphic design.
3. Which department are you interning for?
I’m interning for the Marketing Department.
4. What is your comfort movie?
Definitely any Studio Ghibli movie, but Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle are my go-to’s.
5. Who serves as your biggest inspiration and why?
Ellen Lupton is my biggest inspiration. I love that she is creating more room for diversity in the field of graphic design, and is constantly striving to change the status quo in the industry.
6. What is an activity/hobby you want to spend more time doing this year?
I love playing tabletop games with friends, and I’m always looking for new games to introduce to our group. I’d love to spend some time learning some new ones and trying them out with everyone.
7. Who would be part of your dream concert?
David Bowie. He was such an icon, not just for music but for gender expression. Seeing him live would have been amazing.
8. How do you like to unwind after a long day?
I like to read after a long day. I’m currently reading the Priory of the Orange Tree, which has been fantastic.
9. What are you most looking forward to while interning with Active Minds this semester?
I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to learn how graphic designers support an organization like Active Minds. I’m also really excited to create some cool stuff for the marketing team.
Nya Jones
1. Where are you from?
I am from Georgia by way of Las Vegas, Nevada.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I am currently studying at Howard University as a psychology major.
3. Which department are you interning for?
This spring, I am interning for the Chapters Department.
4. What is your comfort movie?
One of my favorite comfort movies is The Grinch.
5. Who serves as your biggest inspiration and why?
One of my biggest inspirations will always be my mom, for I have watched her build up to the life she wants and provide us with a life she believes we deserve.
6. What is an activity/hobby you want to spend more time doing this year?
This year, I want to spend more time developing my photography skills!
7. Who would be part of your dream concert?
My dream concert would definitely be seeing Beyoncé.
8. How do you like to unwind after a long day?
After a long day, I like to make a cup of coffee and take a nice nap right after!
9. What are you most looking forward to while interning with Active Minds this semester?
During my time at Active Minds, I look forward to making new connections and taking on new challenges.
Imani Kerre-Mongi
1. Where are you from?
I am from Hopkins, Minnesota, but was raised in Nairobi, Kenya for about six years.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I am a current freshman at American University in Washington, D.C., studying international studies with a possible minor in French.
3. Which department are you interning for?
I am interning for the Development Department, specifically with the Community Fundraising team.
4. What is your comfort movie?
My comfort movie is Rango, an animation from 2011 starring Johnny Depp as Rango, a chameleon who ends up stranded in the desert town of Dirt that apparently needs a new sheriff.
5. Who serves as your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration has to be my grandmother. She was raised in the rural areas of Kenya, meaning she grew up less fortunate than most. Yet she was still able to raise her four children, including my mother, and pursue her dream career in agriculture and climate change. No matter the setbacks, she kept her head up and eventually made a name for herself before retirement, and I truly hope to be as strong and determined as her during my lifetime.
6. What is an activity/hobby you want to spend more time doing this year?
As someone who enjoys the outdoors and exploring new places, whether it be in the city or more rural areas, I hope to do more of that this year, especially since I have never lived on the East Coast before but have simply visited.
7. Who would be part of your dream concert?
The top artists I would want at my dream concert would have to be: Amber Mark, Jorja Smith, Eryn Allen Kane, Corinne Bailey Rae, Yebba, Celeste, Bakar, and Greentea Peng.
8. How do you like to unwind after a long day?
After a long day, I like to unwind by listening to music and staying off of my electronics for some time. Since most things like school and work happen virtually now, I feel myself inching closer and closer to something known as “virtual burnout” sometimes. So in order to keep myself away from that, I take occasional electronic breaks and maybe go on a walk or talk to family.
9. What are you most looking forward to while interning with Active Minds this semester?
I am really looking forward to connecting with the staff and learning about what brought them to where they currently are in life. I have always been interested in learning about the stories of other people to inform my own since I believe everyone can learn something new through casual conversation.
Alyssa Ledesma
1. Where are you from?
I am Filipina American and grew up in south Florida.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in interdisciplinary studies, a minor in psychology, and a certificate in leadership studies. I am currently awaiting decisions from masters of social work programs.
3. Which department are you interning for?
I am interning for the NextGen Initiatives Department!
4. What is your comfort movie?
Anything Studio Ghibli! For the holidays, literally any holiday movie.
5. Who serves as your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspirations to this day are the people around me. In academia, it’s my fellow students and professors. In workplaces, it’s my coworkers. It’s incredible to know that each and every single day they are doing the best they can and showing up as they are, and that brings me so much inspiration and serves as a reminder that I am not alone.
6. What is an activity/hobby you want to spend more time doing this year?
I recently got back into reading for leisure. I gave myself a 100-book challenge for 2023. I am excited because I have been able to pick up and have been given so many physical books and created a little library.
7. Who would be part of your dream concert?
It probably would be best if each day of the dream concert had a specific genre but I think it would be incredible to have a bunch of artists I’d love to see live together! Porter Robinson, Aurora, Stray Kids, IU, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, SB19, BTS, Twice, Lindsey Stirling, Hikaru Utada, Claude Debussy, The Beatles, and Yo-Yo Ma.
8. How do you like to unwind after a long day?
Off-screen, spending some time in nature if I can, reading, and just chilling on the couch. Closer to bedtime, I’d do yoga, meditate, and read.
9. What are you most looking forward to while interning with Active Minds this semester?
I’m most looking forward to developing my skills and expanding my knowledge of nonprofit work and the mental health field to prepare myself more for the workforce.
Jimena Perez
1. Where are you from?
I am originally from Nicaragua, but I have now lived in Chicago, Illinois for almost 11 years.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I am studying art history and Spanish at Albion College in Michigan.
3. Which department are you interning for?
This semester, I am a returning intern with the K-12 Initiatives Department.
4. What is your comfort movie?
My comfort movie is any movie from the Barbie film series, specifically the ones from 2001–2005.
5. Who serves as your biggest inspiration and why?
The person who serves as my biggest inspiration is my Spanish professor, Dr. Barrios, because I aspire to be as knowledgeable and wise as her. We also share many background similarities, so having this kind of representation in academia pushes me to break through any doubts and obstacles I face.
6. What is an activity/hobby you want to spend more time doing this year?
An activity that I’d like to spend more time doing this year is visiting more cafes, restaurants, and museums.
7. Who would be part of your dream concert?
The artists who would be part of my dream concert lineup are DPR Live, Runtown, and Boon Hui Lu.
8. How do you like to unwind after a long day?
I like to unwind after a long day by taking a warm shower and doing my skincare night routine!
9. What are you most looking forward to while interning with Active Minds this semester?
I am super excited to get involved with the process of creating/assisting with materials that get presented and used for the K-12 programs and initiatives.
Makaila Santos
1. Where are you from?
I am from Dallas, Texas.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I go to school at the University of North Texas, and I’m studying art education with a minor in art history.
3. Which department are you interning for?
I am interning for the Development Department as a Corporate and Strategic Partnerships intern.
4. What is your comfort movie?
My comfort movie is Lady Bird. It made me feel seen as an adolescent, and Saoirse Ronan is so powerful in it!
5. Who serves as your biggest inspiration and why?
I would say my biggest inspiration is my mother. She was my first mental health advocate and continually teaches me that it’s never too late or too soon to pursue something you love or learn something new.
6. What is an activity/hobby you want to spend more time doing this year?
A hobby that I would love to pursue more this year is throwing clay on a pottery wheel. I took a class two semesters ago and still find bits of clay stuck to my clothes.
7. Who would be part of your dream concert?
Phoebe Bridgers. That’s all I have to say.
8. How do you like to unwind after a long day?
I love to unwind after a long day by cooking a warm meal like soup!
9. What are you most looking forward to while interning with Active Minds this semester?
I’m really looking forward to learning how to be a better advocate and help companies collaborate with Active Minds to create thoughtful social impact.
Tanvi Syed
1. Where are you from?
I’m from San Jose, California.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I currently attend Santa Clara University as a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in marketing.
3. Which department are you interning for?
I am working as a social media intern in the Marketing Department!
4. What is your comfort movie?
My comfort movie would be any of The Princess Diaries movies because, no matter how much time has passed, Anne Hathaway will forever be one of my comfort actresses. The movies make me so nostalgic. Every time I see them, I reminisce about watching them over summer trips at my cousins’ home on the East Coast.
5. Who serves as your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration is my mother due to the number of obstacles she has overcome and powered through to give me the life I have today. She left her comfort and security in India to come to America and rebuild everything, from her career to adjusting to the radically different social and cultural norms. I have the utmost respect for her and all that she’s accomplished, particularly her passion for running nonprofits and always giving back to her community in India while having a full-time job, and always being there for me.
6. What is an activity/hobby you want to spend more time doing this year?
An activity that I want to spend more time working on this year is reading more philosophical books as well as self-care poetry. I want to develop my understanding of the world as well as take care of my well-being while fulfilling daily responsibilities.
7. Who would be part of your dream concert?
Artists like Conan Gray, Vacations (the band), Mxmtoon, Billie Eilish, The Neighborhood, Arctic Monkeys, and Current Joys would all be a part of my dream concert — even though some of them are from starkly different genres.
8. How do you like to unwind after a long day?
One of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day is by watching comfort shows such as New Girl and Gilmore Girls with my roommates and close friends to escape reality for a bit.
9. What are you most looking forward to while interning with Active Minds this semester?
I am most looking forward to brainstorming ideas and creating unique content based on the important mental health themes/elements we want to be highlighted on our social media pages. I have always enjoyed social media but having the opportunity to utilize it to spread critical messages and helpful programs for students my age and of varying communities and ages makes me even more excited.
Kina Velasco
1. Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, but moved to the Bay Area for university.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I recently graduated from Santa Clara University, where I studied communication and sociology.
3. Which department are you interning for?
I am interning for the Communications Department!
4. What is your comfort movie?
I always go back to La La Land or Pretty Woman.
5. Who serves as your biggest inspiration and why?
My answer to this question often changes depending on where I’m at in life. Recently, I’ve read several books by author Brianna Wiest, my favorite being The Mountain is You. Wiest’s writing genuinely resonates with me and has helped empower me in everyday life!
6. What is an activity/hobby you want to spend more time doing this year?
This year, I’ve been trying to stay more active, whether it be by going on hikes with friends or trying out new workout classes. I also find that these are great ways to become more mindful and present!
7. Who would be part of your dream concert?
I’ve always wanted to see The Weeknd live, but I also love ABBA!
8. How do you like to unwind after a long day?
Typically, I like to either read a book or watch YouTube in bed. If I’m able to, I’ll call a friend or family member just to catch up.
9. What are you most looking forward to while interning with Active Minds this semester?
I am looking forward to meeting new people from different backgrounds and communities; I want to be able to learn from others’ unique perspectives on mental health. In terms of personal development, I am very excited to work for a nonprofit that supports my personal ethos — being part of a movement that amplifies the voices of young adults.
Taylor Wells
1. Where are you from?
I’m from a small town in northeast Pennsylvania called Mountain Top, near Scranton, but I moved to Philadelphia for school.
2. Where do you go to school and what are you studying?
I just graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Temple University in December, where I studied communication and social influence with a minor in business.
3. Which department are you interning for?
I’m interning for the Development Department, specifically working with Development Operations/Annual Fund.
4. What is your comfort movie?
I love the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley. It’s been my go-to comfort watch for years, I’ve probably watched it 200 times.
5. Who serves as your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration is my mom. She’s the type of person who wholeheartedly throws herself into everything that she does and makes the people in her life feel seen and valued. She’s incredibly action-oriented and is always the person to come up with a creative solution to a problem or challenge, but creates balance by making you feel confident in your own ability to find a solution to a challenge. She has always encouraged me to try new things, even when they’re hard, and has instilled in me the confidence that I can do anything that I set my mind to.
6. What is an activity/hobby you want to spend more time doing this year?
I just started to learn how to sew clothing, so I’m really looking forward to growing that skill this year and learning how to be more sustainable by making my own clothes out of reclaimed fabrics. I recently scored some great fabric from my local thrift store, so I’m excited to spend some time making it into clothes that I’ll have for years!
7. Who would be part of your dream concert?
My dream concert would probably be a weird blend of Paramore and Phoebe Bridgers. They aren’t even close to being the same type of music, but I’ve been wanting to see Paramore in concert since I was a young teenager, and Phoebe Bridgers is my current favorite.
8. How do you like to unwind after a long day?
I love to have a cup of tea and read a book to unwind after a long day. Something about a hot beverage and the escapism of a good book is always what I’m looking for after a busy, tiring day.
9. What are you most looking forward to while interning with Active Minds this semester?
This is my second semester as an intern on the Development Team, and I’m really looking forward to learning more from the great group here at Active Minds and getting further exposure to how development works alongside other departments to deliver our mission. I’ve gotten to learn so much over the last four months, and I’m so excited to get to work on some new projects and continue developing the skills that I’ve learned so far.
If you’re interested in interning for Active Minds in the future, click here to learn more.
