Maryland Youth Advisory Council
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History
The Maryland Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) was established through the State legislature (Chapter 559, Acts of 2008, Chapter 69, Acts of 2009, and Chapter 620, Acts of 2016) in order to ensure that Maryland youth are given the opportunity to provide feedback and recommendations regarding public policies and programs that affect their future and to take a leadership role in creating meaningful change.
Our Mission to Maryland’s Young People
MYAC stands as a coalition of diverse young advocates and leaders from across the State. The Council elevates and addresses relevant youth concerns and policy issues by influencing legislation, spreading public awareness and serving as a liaison between youth and policymakers.
Our Vision for a Youth-Centric State
The Maryland Youth Advisory Council strives to be an effective voice that:
- Incites change for the betterment of Maryland's youth,
- Ensures equal opportunity for all youth regardless of background or circumstance,
- Initiates political conversations with youth,
- Educates youth on political issues, and
- Is respected by legislators and other stakeholders on youth issues.
Meet the 2024-2025 Council Members
Council Member | Term | Appointed By | County |
Thomas | Evans | 2 | Governor of Maryland | Frederick |
David | Renderos | 1 | Governor of Maryland | Howard |
Qamryn | Askew | 1 | Governor of Maryland | Baltimore City |
Taryn | Clemons | 1 | Governor of Maryland | Baltimore County |
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Folashade | Epebinu | 2 | Maryland Association of Local Management Boards | Montgomery |
Diana | Flores | 2 | Maryland Association of Local Management Boards | Carroll |
Zaria | Naqvi | 2 | Maryland Association of Local Management Boards | Montgomery |
Alex | Mayen-Velasquez | 1 | Maryland Association of Local Management Boards | Carroll |
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Rishi | Sheth | 2 | President of the Senate | St. Mary's |
Alexander | Hossainkhail | 2 | President of the Senate | Anne Arundel |
Aarna | Chakarvarty | 1 | President of the Senate | Frederick |
Joyce | Yun | 1 | President of the Senate | Howard |
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Foresight | Ogungbe | 1 | Speaker of the House of Delegates | Baltimore County |
O'Marie | Barnes | 1 | Speaker of the House of Delegates | Prince George's |
Kevin | Jones | 1 | Speaker of the House of Delegates | Charles |
Lucia | Zaklin | 1 | Speaker of the House of Delegates | Queen Anne's |
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Graham | Snyder | 1 | University System of Maryland Student Council | Washington |
Jefferson | Vasquez-Reyes | 1 | University System of Maryland Student Council | Prince George’s |
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Shradha | Bista | 2 | Maryland Association of Student Councils | Washington |
Alessia | Cuba | 2 | Maryland Association of Student Councils | Frederick |
Izzah | Khan | 1 | Maryland Association of Student Councils | Charles |
Lorena | Wu | 1 | Maryland Association of Student Councils | Montgomery |
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Current Officers:
Elected Executive Officers: Executive officers provide leadership, direction, and coordination to ensure the council functions effectively.
- Chair: Alexander Hossainkhail
- Vice Chair: Thomas Evans
- Secretary: Folashade Epebinu
- Legislative Committee Chair: Zaria Naqvi
- Public Awareness Chair: Rishi Sheth
Appointed Positions: The following members were appointed by the Chair to work alongside executive officers to advance logistics, operations, and reporting requirements.
- Appointed Executive Member: Shradha Bista
- Appointed Executive Member: Graham Snyder
- Appointed Executive Member/Historian: Joyce Yun
2024-2025 Legislative Priorities
Annually MYAC develops and leads advocacy efforts based on a community-informed list of priorities. These priorities are crafted with the input of local youth throughout the state collected through MYAC’s fall Community Conversations event along with county-level town halls.
Below include the comprehensive list of priorities selected and voted on by the 2024-2025 Council.
Priority #1 Education and Resource Equity
- Broadening Access to Learning Opportunities
- Ensuring Equity in the Quality of Educational Facilities
- Expansion of Staff and Student Education on AI and Developing Technology
Priority #2 Mental Health, Services, and Support
- Providing Opioid Prevention and Awareness
- Increasing Mental Health Resources
- Implementing Mentorship Development
Priority #3 Safe School and Community Spaces
- Reducing School and Community Violence
- Developing Third Spaces for Students
Priority #4 Social Justice
- Equitable Access to Resources for Marginalized Communities
- Restorative Justice Practices Towards Conflict Resolution
- Introducing and Increasing Youth Civic Engagement
