CHALLENGE SUCCESS STUDENT HUB

2026-2027 SAC Applications: now open!

Are you passionate about student well-being, belonging, and rethinking what success in school should look like?! The Challenge Success Student Advisory Council (SAC) is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 school year, and we would love for you to apply or encourage your students to apply! As members of the Student Advisory Council, students collaborate with peers from across the country to help shape conversations about education and student life. Applications are due May 1, 11:59 p.m. PT.

As a SAC member, you will join a community of like-minded students who care about education and have the opportunity to:

• Speak at conferences about student experiences
• Organize or participate in webinars and workshops
• Write blog posts or create a podcast
• Curate social media content to amplify student voice
• Collaborate with schools and educators to improve student well-being

One current SAC member put it well: “Through SAC, I’ve had the chance to work with people who care deeply about improving student well-being and making schools more supportive. Meeting students and educators from across the country at the Challenge Success Annual Conference, and continuing those conversations afterward, showed me how powerful it can be when different voices come together to share ideas and create change.”

Another SAC member shared that, “What I love most about SAC is that it gives each member the chance to turn their interests into meaningful projects that support community well-being. Through SAC, I helped create a podcast where we interviewed fellow students about mental health, burnout, and engagement in the classroom. It was such a rewarding way to connect with new people, learn from their experiences, and help elevate student voices.”

The application is simply an opportunity for the team to learn more about applicants, it is not intended to be a high-stakes process. After reviewing applications, Challenge Success will follow up with applicants about next steps. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kim Tsai, Director of Programs (kcawkwell@challengesuccess.org). You can also learn more by watching the All About The Challenge Success Student Advisory Council webinar recording below for an overview of the program.

About the student advisory council

The Challenge Success Student Advisory Council is a group of passionate young leaders who want to elevate student well-being, engagement, and belonging in our school communities. We meet monthly during the academic year and provide input, critique, and support to the Challenge Success staff. In addition, we choose projects to pursue throughout the year, such as content creation, events, and more. You can meet each member of our Student Advisory Council on our Challenge Success Team Page.

Are you interested in advocating for student well-being in your school?

Join the Challenge Success Student Ambassador Program!

High school students today are under a mound of academic pressure and stress, whether that’s about college applications or future careers. Many schools fail in providing adequate support for students struggling to balance rigorous coursework, extracurriculars, and their mental health. Ambassadors will enhance their leadership and advocacy skills; Promote open discussions about academic pressure and well-being; and Encourage changes in school environments to reduce academic stress.

Role and Responsibilities

Each ambassador will have the following responsibilities:

• Advocate: Raise awareness of toxic academic environments.
• Educate: Lead workshops on well-being and stress management.
• Lead: Organize events to promote healthy school cultures.
• Mentor: Support and guide peers in managing academic pressure.

Perks and Details

• Get access to Media Kits and Customizable Curriculums
• Advocate at your school for better mental and physical health support
• Mitigate the detrimental effects of toxic academic environments
• Join a community of likeminded and equally passionate peers!
• Time commitment is 1 hour per month, October-March of the academic year.

Curriculum Overview

• Curriculum #1 – Strategies to Reduce Stress and Build Resilience
• Curriculum #2 – The Myth of Success: College Admissions
• Curriculum #3 – Time Management Tips for Busy Students
• Curriculum #4 – Understanding the Importance of Sleep
• Curriculum #5 – Coping with Academic Pressure
• Curriculum #6 – Building a Growth Mindset
• Curriculum #7 -Finding Balance: Extracurricular Activities and Academics
• Curriculum #8 – Navigating Peer Pressure and Competition
• Curriculum #9 – Fostering Well-Being in Student Athletes
• Curriculum #10 – The Role of Play and Downtime in Student Well-Being
• Curriculum #11 – Overcoming a Race of Failure
• Curriculum #12 – Redefining Success: Well-Being Over Perfection