Anti-Racism CouncilThe Anti-Racism Council (ARC) hold us to account and supports us to develop a clear vision for our anti-racism work at Student Minds. The Council consists of students, recent graduates, HE professionals and Student Minds staff and trustees who will bring their personal and professional experience to help shape the work we do at Student Minds
We are incredibly grateful to the incredible experts within our ARC who continue to challenge us as we develop our Anti-Racism work. With financial investment, a leadership team fully behind our ambitions and a staff team eager to deal with the messiness of this change, we feel confident that we can live up to the expectations of our ARC. Learn more about the members of the Anti-Racism Council: |
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Andy Owusu - ChairAndy Owusu is a doctoral researcher in psychology at London South Bank University. He is an author and a consultant in higher education specialising in the mental health of Black and Minority Ethnic students, working with organisations such as Student Minds and Unite Students to develop the Black student experience in their respective organisations and services. His current research focuses on cultural competencies for mental health advisors in higher education.
To look after his wellbeing Andy practises mindfulness, loves to exercise and often escapes into the world of film. |
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Aneeska SohalAneeska is the Head of Strategy for Student Mental Health and Wellbeing, King's College London and a Student Minds Trustee. Aneeska is also the Founder and Project Manager behind the podcast All Things Mental Health. The podcast bridges the gap between young minds & students’ lived experience of navigating their mental health with that of research. Some partners include the University of Oxford and SMaRteN. The podcast has been featured in The Guardian and is now in the top 15% most shared podcasts, globally.
Aneeska is a trained Hindustani vocalist, and she turns to singing regularly to help her with her own wellbeing. |
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Sam KingsleySam Kingsley (she/they) is a consultant with experience designing and leading successful Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), Employee Wellbeing and Engagement strategies and culture change programs. She led on the delivery of the Living Black at University report as well as co-convening its Commission and developing national actions in response to the recommendations in the report. Having been awarded both the Diversity Champion Corporate and International Inclusion Awards 2023 by awarding body Diversiton for the development and implementation of Unite Students DEIB and Wellbeing strategy, Sam was also shortlisted as a Rising Star for Property Weeks Student Accommodation Awards 2023 and for Diversity Team of the Year at the British Diversity Awards 2024.
As an intersectional woman, she is passionate about promoting understanding and acceptance, over tolerance, and creating spaces where people can truly feel like they belong. In her spare time, Sam is often found at a gig, concert or festival- anywhere there is music (especially if it's live!) |
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Sarah GordonSarah is a creative designer, graphic design lecturer and postgraduate researcher based in Leeds. Sarah’s current focus is completing her PhD study, embracing the worlds of design, education, and mental wellbeing, exploring Black students’ experience of university life with creative, design-led methods. Sarah is passionate about advocating for underrepresented and marginalised groups within education and sharing the value of creative, collaborative, and open approaches to student wellbeing initiatives and research.
She is just as passionate about being creative in her spare time, often found illustrating or covered in craft glitter! |
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Virendra MistryVirendra is a Charter Assessor and an experienced leader, policy adviser and practitioner in HE. Passionate about promoting social justice and enhancing student engagement, he is a Senior Academic Practice lead at the University of Chester and module leader on a PG Cert programme (HE Citizenship). As a former Race Equality Council member and co-ordinator of an institutional BAME staff network, Virendra has worked with HE leaders, students and their representatives to embed positive change. Stemming from experiences in international fieldwork, Virendra champions sustainability in HE, is a Green Impact Assessor for SOS-UK and a trustee at Liverpool Hope Students’ Union.
To relax, Virendra is a voracious reader of ‘smart literature’, which he finds is best enjoyed after a regular morning Tai Chi routine, followed up with a flat white imbibed at any of the eclectic independent coffee shops in his beloved suburb in Liverpool. |
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Faith KuriaFaith is a current Sustainability and Environmental Management undergrad student at the University of Leeds and former sustainability intern at Student Minds. She is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion for all particularly in the education sector and within the workplace.
In her spare time, Faith enjoys lifting weights in the gym to look after her mental health. |
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Daniel AyodejiDaniel, also known as DAZO, is a 23-year-old from Birmingham and a Recent Biology Graduate. Their interests range from reading and making music to fitness, but his true passion lies in supporting the local community and young people. This dedication led Daniel to join his college's Student Union as the elected Diversity Officer, which paved the way to involvement with the Aspiring Youth Board.
In these roles, Daniel has had the opportunity to lead and participate in various community campaigns. One notable experience was discussing the Environmental Bill and 2050 Carbon Neutral Plan with Ministers, where he submitted detailed recommendations to DEFRA to increase youth engagement in policy-making. To look after his mental health in my spare time, Daniel take regular walks, sometimes reads and writes artistic pieces. |
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Madeleine SiniscalchiMadeleine completed her undergraduate degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Royal Northern College of Music. Her personal experiences with mental health difficulties led her to get involved with the Student Mental Health Partnerships Project where she became a passionate advocate for co-production and elevating marginalized voices.
She now works at Red Balloon, a charity for children out of school due to trauma, mental ill-health and SEND, as a fundraiser and LGBTQ+ champion. In her spare time she’s usually out walking with her little scruffy rescue dog, Mila. |
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Aaliyah SimmsAaliyah, an LLB Law graduate from the University of Birmingham, is currently pursuing a part-time LPC LLM at the University of Law while working full-time. Passionate about holistic mental health support for students, she draws on her diverse ethnic background and experience as an adoptee to address how these intersect with mental health. Aaliyah has spoken on wellbeing at several events and is eager to contribute to ARC by fostering open dialogue around mental health support.
To care for her own wellbeing, she enjoys painting her nails while watching her favourite series and hits the gym when she can. |
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Evangel OnwuasoEvangel is all for everything mental health, more because she come from a background where it’s not usually acknowledged. This has spurred her into birthing an NGO that aims to shine more light on mental health and the challenges that it comes with.
During her spare time, Evangel likes to dress up and go out. She find that moving around/travelling is a really good way to look after her mental health. Alternatively, Evangel does retail therapy and enjoys solo dates, depending on what she is feeling like. |
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Michelle IgiehonMichelle is a a medical student who has a strong interest in both psychiatry and reducing health inequalities based on socioeconomic status. She is passionate about bringing the realities of disparities within the mental health system to public discourse.
To look after her own mental health Michelle loves to journal, go on walks and spend time working on hobbies like painting and drawing. |