Reimagining mental health support for underserved students

At Cosumnes River College in South Sacramento, Professor Akaysia Hill is transforming how students experience mental wellness on campus.

As Cosumnes River College’s wellness advocate and a social justice professor, Akaysia creates spaces where students—particularly historically underrepresented students—feel seen, supported, and empowered to care for their mental health without stigma or fear.

Her approach centers student voice and choice. Through workshops, outreach events, and individualized guidance, she helps students build coping skills, strengthen resilience, and access resources before challenges escalate—equipping them with tools to advocate for themselves and navigate challenges with confidence.

Akaysia’s commitment to this work is deeply personal. Growing up surrounded by untreated mental health challenges in her own family, she saw firsthand what happens when people lack language, support, and access to care. After struggling with her own mental health as a student at Cosumnes River College, she now works to create the kind of care and space she wishes had existed for herself.

Her impact can be seen across campus through initiatives that prioritize both wellness and equity, including:

• Mentoring students through crisis and recovery: Akaysia works closely with students navigating trauma, mental health challenges, and the student conduct process—helping connect them to care, academic resources, and pathways to stay enrolled and succeed.
• Developing a restorative justice approach to student conduct: Akaysia helped develop a restorative justice program for first-time student conduct cases. Rather than pushing students out of school, the program focuses on emotional regulation, healing, skill-building, and connection to community services. The goal is to help students move forward with the tools they need to thrive.
• Building safe spaces for marginalized students: Akaysia works closely with campus organizations, including Cosumnes River College’s Pride Center, Black Empowerment Center, and Child Development Center, to bring culturally responsive mental health resources directly to students. Through workshops, outreach events, and partnerships with community organizations, Akaysia brings culturally responsive care and resources directly into trusted campus spaces where students already feel safe, represented, and valued.

At a time when young people across California face growing mental health challenges, Akaysia is helping break down the stigma that too often prevents students from seeking care. Her work creates welcoming environments rooted in connection, trust, and belonging—making care feel accessible rather than intimidating.

Through her compassion, advocacy, and community-centered approach, Akaysia is helping create a campus culture where students feel safe asking for help, empowered to care for themselves, and reminded that they deserve support.