Who are the active minds behind all of our events you see around campus? Get to know the passionate and dedicated people helping us promote positive conversation about mental health at the University of Oregon!

	Juan Rivera President Major: Psychology Minor: Biology/Art History Graduation year: 2015 Hometown: Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA Favorite color: Yellow (really)/Green/Blue Favorite musicians: Blink 182, Avicci, Good Charlotte, The Killers, All American Rejects, Young Blood, Fun, Quintino & Alvaro, Jack’s Mannequin, and many more. Special talent: Good listener; some may even say too good, haha. Interests: Randomness, hiking, running, music, dogs, traveling, exploring, and art history, among others. Why I joined UO Active Minds: I wanted to be a part of the change in how people talk about mental health, and to expand our message that we are not weak because we seek help and it is time to start talking about it.
	Ryan Slight Publicity Chair Major: Psychology Graduation year: 2014 Hometown: Valencia, CA Favorite color: Red Favorite musicians: Florence and the Machine. Special talent: I like to paint portraits. Interests: Snowboarding, drawing, hiking, movies, and anything psychology-related. Why I joined UO Active Minds: I want to get involved in something I am passionate about.
	Linda Torres Fundraising Chair Major: Psychology Graduation year: 2015/2016 Hometown: Coalinga, CA Favorite color: Bright turquoise blue/peacock blue/Avatar movie colors Favorite musicians: Michael Jackson, Sia, 30 Seconds to Mars, Evanescence, Taylor Swift, Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Muse, Fall Out Boy, Imagine Dragons, Plain White T’s, and many more. Special talent: Dancing (so I’ve been told), compassion for people, photography, and being a geek. Interests: Movies, gaming, psychology (human behaviors and cognitive thinking), fantasy (fairies, elves, mermaids, vampires, werewolves, et cetera), all things Disney, reading, and photography. Why I joined UO Active Minds: I want to have a positive impact on society, one person at a time. I want to help increase awareness for mental health and inform people that just because they may be eccentric and not what society is used to, they are amazing nonetheless and there is help and support out there.
	Adam Elias Vice President Major: Psychology/Sociology Graduation year: 2014 Hometown: Philomath, OR Favorite color: Chrome Favorite musicians: I like them all. Special talent: Nada. Interests: A little bit of everything. Why I joined UO Active Minds: For a chance to help just one person.
	Kimia Amirifar Administrative Chair Major: Psychology Graduation year: 2015 Hometown: Tigard, OR Favorite color: Teal/Turquoise Favorite musicians: On The Rocks. Special talent: Painting. Interests: Rock/tree climbing, hiking, anything outdoors, running, painting, and understanding people. Why I joined UO Active Minds: I want to be able to help people become more aware of the resources that they have access to for mental health on campus and in the area.
	Sara Van Operations Chair Major: Psychology/Business – Marketing Graduation year: 2014 Hometown: Portland, OR Favorite color: Purple Favorite musicians: Jack Johnson, Death Cab for Cutie, Passion Pit, The Script, Shakira, and anything good. Special talent: My quirky sense of humor. Interests: Cooking, traveling, learning, health, psychology, and cultures. Why I joined UO Active Minds: I am a psychology enthusiast and I want to be a voice in eliminating the stigma when it comes to discussions about psychological anomalies. Life is too precious for it to be compromised by some unresolved psychological issue, or discrimination. I want to inform others about resources and prevention and how it is crucial to well-being. I want to promote positive mental health and get others involved in understanding their own mental health and the mental health of those around them.
	Olivia Granach Event Coordination Intern Major: Psychology Graduation year: 2016 Hometown: Ashland, OR Favorite color: Blue Favorite musicians: The Shins, Bon Iver, and Old Springs Standards. Special talent: I can say the Alphabet backwards. Interests: Painting, singing, running, and good conversation. Why I joined UO Active Minds: I believe Active Minds was a great opportunity to learn more about mental health, work alongside like-minded people, and a great way to give back to the students.
	Jack Apman Social Media Executive Major: Journalism – Public Relations Graduation year: 2015 Hometown: Issaquah, WA Favorite color: Blue Favorite musicians: Drake, ASAP Rocky, and Mac Miller. Special talent: I write poetry. Interests: Water polo, writing, photography, and music. Why I joined UO Active Minds: I joined Active Minds because I believe in its mission and want to make a difference at the University of Oregon. Mental health issues affect all of us. My hope is that by working to remove the stigma attached to it, we can help people lead healthier, happier lives.
	Jaden Bales Marketing Intern Major: Pre-Business Administration/International Studies Graduation year: 2017 Hometown: Imbler, OR Favorite color: Florescent orange/Forest green Favorite musicians: G-Eazy, Hoodie Allen, Mackelmore, and Kid Cudi. Special talent: Sleeping anytime, anywhere. Interests: Healthy lifestyle, traveling, football, academics, great TV shows, and anything outdoors. Why I joined UO Active Minds: I discovered I can relate and am passionate to the mission in changing the conversation about mental health and mental illnesses because many of my close family members have had mental health challenges. I also feel that UO Active Minds is an amazing opportunity to make a difference in the community!
	Holly Arrow Faculty Advisor Research interests: Group dynamics, including membership change and how groups experience and transform diversity; Psychology of war, including the evolution of psychological adaptations to survival challenges posed by war. Hometown: Don’t really have one, but I was born in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Favorite color: Green Favorite musicians: Sixto Rodriguez, Ai Ootsuka, and Tim Buckley. Special talent: Lifting lots of weight overhead. Interests: Crossfit, Japanese language & culture, and archery. Why I joined UO Active Minds: I lost a younger brother who was having a really rough time with his transition to college and committed suicide. I think the programs of UO Active Minds can help students feel more accepting of themselves and encourage them to be more supportive of others. Maybe they will (or already have) saved the life of someone like my brother.