March 6 2026

Student Voice in Action: The Achieve Student Advisory Board

Achieve Student Advisory Board Members

At Achieve Twin Cities, being youth-centered is one of our core values. But a value only matters if it shows up in practice. That’s why we created the Achieve Student Advisory Board — to ensure that students aren’t just the focus of our work, but also active partners in shaping it.  

Now in its third year, the Student Advisory Board (SAB) brings together students from Minneapolis and Saint Paul public schools to share their unique perspectives, experiences and ideas. They represent a range of schools, backgrounds and career interests, and meet regularly to advise Achieve staff on our career and college readiness programs, offer a youth perspective on broader issues as such youth and the media, or provide fresh ideas for Achieve events, fundraising and communications.    

“These student advisors help ensure that our work reflects the real needs, goals and realities of the young people we serve, and that we have a youth perspective in our programming and organizational voice,” says Zoey Haines, Achieve SAB coordinator and Program Manager for Strategy. “Their role isn’t symbolic—it’s essential.” 

Our 2025-26 advisory board is made up of 14 students from six schools, each bringing their own voice, experience, career interests and goals to the table. They include:  

  • Edison High School: Anas, Fuad and Imran  

  • Highland Park Senior High School: Miriam  

  • Humboldt High School: Bwy, Jamarquis, Paw Moo and Tha Say  

  • Johnson Senior High School: Ko, Kylie and Nee  

  • Roosevelt High School: Signe and Summer 

  • South High School: Marwa 

Before creating the SAB, Achieve gathered student input in important but more limited ways, such as one-time focus groups or surveys. What was missing was a consistent space where young people could come together, build relationships and regularly share their perspectives. SAB fills that gap, making youth voice a steady and visible part of our organizational decision-making.   

Through their participation, student members build leadership, confidence and critical thinking skills while learning how to share their ideas in group and professional settings. Just as importantly, they learn from one another across two of Minnesota’s largest school districts as they hear their peers talk honestly about challenges, plans and next steps after high school.  

“Planning for life after high school can be confusing and overwhelming,” says Summer, an advisory board member from Roosevelt High School. “I want to help improve that process by sharing real student perspectives. I care deeply about making sure every student has access to opportunities, whether that’s college, a career or something in between. I see the Student Advisory Board as a meaningful opportunity to contribute to something bigger than myself and help shape a system that empowers all students to succeed.”    

The Student Advisory Board is strengthening Achieve programs today while laying the groundwork for deeper youth leadership to come. By elevating student voice and engaging young people in strategic, authentic ways, Achieve empowers young people to shape their own futures with greater confidence and purpose.