2025 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference

Donovan Taylor Hall is an educator, coach, speaker, content creator, and above all else, youth advocate. Donovan believes deeply in youth empowerment as the way to move our society forward. As a young person, he struggled deeply with his self-image, which led to low self-esteem and mental health issues. In his early twenties, because of the stigma of mental health and the lack of resources he had, Donovan got to a point where he became suicidal. What saved him was actually losing his friend to suicide, someone who was also fighting a private battle with depression. Donovan decided to learn as much as he could about mental health tools and how to create higher levels of well-being. When the work started working for him, he decided to start teaching it to kids. This is where Donovan found my true calling and passion.

Donovan aims to equip kids with tools to build positive relationships with themselves. A child's positive self-identity will experience higher levels of life satisfaction, motivation, and self-determination. He is committed to the full development of kids, not just academics. Through social-emotional learning, educational psychology, and positive youth development, he has created programs and curriculum that aims to help kids become their own best friend. The point of the work is not to stop kids from struggling but instead to empower them to take care of themselves through the struggles that make them who they are.

Donovan attended George Mason University, where he studied Communications with a focus on Public Speaking and Journalism, as well as a minor in Theater. He also studied educational psychology and social entrepreneurship. He is currently working on an educational entertainment show to help bring this work to larger audiences to empower kids and the people who support them.

About Active Minds

Speakers Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Since 2009, Active Minds speakers have been providing engaging, encouraging, and safe mental health education that’s tailored forstudents, young adults, educators, professional groups, and other audiences. Active Mindsis opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States.

Research shows that peer-to-peer outreach is the best way to reduce the stigma that surrounds ment

Hi everyone! My name is Erin Fitzgerald, I am a senior at the University of Delaware studying Human Services (Pre-Social Work/Counseling) with a minor in Medical Social Services. Outside of my studies, I work as a Peer24 Lead at Sean's House and serve as the Vice President of the University of Delaware Panhellenic Executive Board. In both of these roles I strive to spark important conversations and work to eliminate the stigma around mental health by leading with empathy and connection. A fun fact about me is I studied abroad in Granada, Spain! 

Guanina P. Lopez Soria holds dual associate degrees in human services and drug and alcohol counseling, alongside a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences. With nearly a decade of experience, she is dedicated to serving vulnerable populations in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) prevention and treatment. Notably, she established a Spanish-speaking DUI program at her previous agency and served as the program coordinator for the Delaware State DUI Screening and Referral Program (DSARP). This program aims to reduce recidivism linked to driving under the influence while promoting preventive measures. Mrs. Lopez is a certified Addictions Treatment Counselor with additional certifications in conflict resolution and emotional intelligence. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Delaware State University and is actively engaged in the Human Services Department Advisory Board Committee. In addition, she is also employed at Del Tech as an academic advisor and student life leader. Her goal is to raise awareness of societal barriers and empower vulnerable populations to foster confidence and promote personal growth.

Dr. Miranda Coverdale is a Licensed Masters Social Worker with nearly 20 years of experience working in the human service field. During that time, she worked primarily with people living in the community with severe, persistent mental illness, addiction, and/or co-morbid medical issues like HIV/AIDS, but also has experience working with residents in group homes and inpatient services (for mental health and addiction). Dr. Coverdale also has over 10 years working in higher education first as an adjunct instructor, and now as the Mental Health Resource Coordinator for Delaware Technical Community College's Wilmington Campus. 

Dr. Aisha Monroe is a visionary scholar-practitioner and higher education leader committed to student success, equity, and institutional transformation. With over five years of experience in academic advising, retention, and program design, she currently serves as the Executive Director of Graduate Student Support Services at Delaware State University. Dr. Monroe holds a Doctorate in Prevention Science from Wilmington University, where her research explores the “sophomore slump” and college dropout reduction. Known for her strengths in capacity building and cross-functional leadership, she designs data-informed strategies that engage faculty, staff, and community partners with intentionality and purpose. She has led initiatives that significantly boosted student retention, fostered inclusive programming, and built sustainable support structures for first-generation and underserved students. Dr. Monroe brings a collaborative, culturally responsive lens to every space—cultivating environments where students, professionals, and institutions grow together.

Jennifer Smolowitz is the Deputy Director at the Mental Health Association in Delaware (MHA). She has been with the organization since September 2014. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies (minored in Sociology and Health) from West Chester University in West Chester, PA. She completed a year of service with the AmeriCorps program, Public Allies Delaware. She then earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Ohio University in Athens, OH. Jennifer is a certified trainer in the following: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Mental Health First Aid, QPR and Lifelines. Her free time is filled with reading (mostly thrillers), watching sports and spending time with her niece and nephews.

Angela Pugliese joined the SL24 team as Director of Sean’s House in 2023 after a ten year career in high school social studies education. She has presented at numerous conferences and in many classrooms on supporting students and young adults in their mental health journeys. Angela is devoted to making a positive change in the Delaware community through her work of educating, assisting, and supporting others. In her free time, she can be found spending time with her husband and children and living by the three R's: relaxing, reading, and reality tv.

Derrick Turner is a survivor of depression and homelessness who has worked in peer services since 2022. He has been involved in various mentoring and education roles for over 10 years, working as a case manager for adults with special needs, the lead Youth Services Provider for the Boys and Girls Club of Rehoboth Beach, DE, and in many middle and high-schools as a Paraprofessional and a substitute teacher. Derrick has been a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist since 2023 and co-facilitates the Peer Certification Program for MHA for over a year. He has worked with the Peer Internship program as well as facilitating virtual wellness groups. Derrick values and promotes a “strength in numbers” concept when working with clients and students, supporting and empowering them to find the best versions of themselves, while being the support system that was needed during his recovery. He is also a professional drummer and drum teacher, providing beginning drum lessons for both children and adults.

Stephanie Reaves grew up in the Philadelphia area and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Princeton University in New Jersey. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Social Work at Bryn Mawr College in the Philadelphia area in 2023. Stephanie enjoys being active in her community, and began volunteering at health fairs and other community events with MHA in 2017 after healing from her own struggles with mental health and substance abuse. She officially joined the team as a Peer Educator in 2019. Stephanie enjoys hiking, cooking, writing, salsa/bachata dancing, learning languages, and reading anything she can get her hands on. She believes in the power of kindness and empathy to make a difference in the lives of others, and is involved in various community groups in the area.

Jennifer Smolowitz is the Deputy Director at the Mental Health Association in Delaware (MHA). She has been with the organization since September 2014. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies (minored in Sociology and Health) from West Chester University in West Chester, PA. She completed a year of service with the AmeriCorps program, Public Allies Delaware. She then earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Ohio University in Athens, OH. Jennifer is a certified trainer in the following: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Mental Health First Aid, QPR and Lifelines. Her free time is filled with reading (mostly thrillers), watching sports and spending time with her niece and nephews.

Jahi Gordon is a dedicated social work professional with extensive experience in child welfare, family services, and abuse prevention. He has led comprehensive training programs and developed strategic initiatives to improve service delivery in child protection and family support systems. His work has involved conducting home visits, collaborating with stakeholders, and providing therapeutic support to families in need. As a Mental Health Educator at The Jed Foundation, Jahi will provide education and training to support young people’s mental health, equipping schools, communities, and individuals with the tools to foster emotional well-being and prevent mental health crises. Jahi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Child and Youth Studies and a Master of Social Work. In his free time, he loves baking, especially his go-to cookies: brown butter chocolate chip cookies and guava sugar cookies.

Natalie Klaus-Rogers is a dedicated peer support specialist with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She currently serves at the Mental Health Association in Delaware, where she has led statewide initiatives and facilitated national webinars on psychiatric advanced directives and community inclusion. A 2024 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Employee of the Year, Natalie brings a strong foundation in advocacy, education, and lived experience. She is an advanced level WRAP facilitator, certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, and a former faculty member of the Weitzman ECHO Peer Support Program. Natalie holds a BA in German Studies from the University of Cincinnati, a paralegal diploma, and is pursuing her master’s degree in social work while raising a family in urban Wilmington, Delaware.

Steve Terranova is a certified journal therapy coach, leadership development coach, and the founder of Twenty Two Gates, LLC. He holds an MBA and brings over 20 years of corporate leadership experience to his work. As a writer and storyteller, Steve leads expressive writing workshops for universities, nonprofits, corporates, and recovery communities. His sessions create safe, transformative spaces for reflection, personal development, and healing.