Student Spotlight: Cayuga Student and NAMI Inspiring Classmates

“Your imperfections are what make you beautiful.”

Everyone needs positive reinforcement and support sometimes, and this fall on the Auburn Campus Cayuga student Hope Campbell and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) are providing it for staff, students and faculty.

The Class of 2026 member and Red Creek High School graduate is the president of the emerging NAMI Chapter at Cayuga, which has started forming this semester. Working with other students and Cayuga County NAMI Affiliate President Terri Wasilenko, Campbell designed and placed inspirational signs along the Nature Trail on Cayuga’s Auburn Campus.

The idea was a result of casual conversations about how to express support for classmates, staff and faculty, said Campbell. The signs themselves convey inspirational sayings expressing confidence and support.

“We wanted to make people’s days a little brighter. The Nature Trail is a popular spot to decompress, stretch your legs and collect your thoughts. We wanted to put these signs up to let people know that we’re here for them and that they’re not alone,” said Campbell.

NAMI is the country’s largest grassroots mental health organization, serving millions of people across the United States. The mission of NAMI On-Campus is to create college chapters to help raise mental health awareness, educate the campus community, and support peers through programs and advocacy. On the Fulton Campus, the Wellness Club is also incorporating the NAMI On-Campus chapter.

Wasilenko said NAMI recognizes students face unique challenges as they move from high school to college.

“NAMI knows that some of the best support a student can receive is from peers,” she said. “When students connect with one another, they can share common experiences and support each other through transitions.”

Campbell and Wasilenko worked with Studio Art & Design students to create the signs, and placed them in available space along the Nature Trail. Fellow walkers have already taken note of the signs, added Campbell.

“We’ve had people see them and say they want to help or design their own signs,” said Campbell. “It’s a good thing, to see it gain some momentum and have other people enjoy the signs but also say they want to step in and help.”

Wasilenko credited Campbell for the success of the signs and for reaching out to other students about NAMI.

“Hope is such a good listener, and she’s always willing to help other people,” said Wasilenko. “She really stepped up with this project. She’s a very genuine person, and NAMI will be a great avenue for her to continue helping her classmates.”

Any Cayuga student interested in joining NAMI on the College’s Auburn or Fulton Campuses can contact Wasilenko at terriwasilenko@outlook.com, or Cayuga’s Wellness Coordinator Dr. Jerimy Blowers (jblowers1@cayuga-cc.edu) or Wellness & Intervention Counselor Christina Bentley (cbentle2@cayuga-cc.edu).