Starting a NAMI On Campus chapter is only the first step. Creating a lasting culture of student engagement and mental health advocacy requires intentional leadership development, strong partnerships, and sustainable systems that can withstand leadership turnover and changing campus environments.

This interactive session explores practical strategies for helping NAMI On Campus chapters thrive beyond their founding year. Participants will learn approaches to advisor engagement, leadership succession planning, student recruitment and retention, campus partnerships, and long-term chapter sustainability.

Presented by Halle Gensler, NAMI Next Gen Advisor and Youth & Young Adult Engagement Coordinator at NAMI DuPage, this session draws on lessons learned from expanding regional campus engagement and strengthening NAMI On Campus programs across multiple schools. Attendees will gain real-world examples, adaptable frameworks, and actionable tools for building chapters that remain relevant, impactful, and student-led over time.

Through discussion, peer learning, and collaborative problem-solving, participants will have opportunities to explore common challenges, share successful practices, and leave with concrete strategies they can implement within their own campus communities.