Elena Maina Named Executive Director of Student U
June 5, 2025
I value community, equity, healing, and the power of consistent support. I invest in Student U because it creates spaces where young people and families—especially those often pushed to the margins—are seen, valued, and supported to thrive. I believe in transformation that happens over time and in partnership, and Student U models that every day. Being part of this work aligns with my commitment to showing up with love, accountability, and vision.
Outside of Student U, I live out my values through my work as a therapist, by curating wellness spaces rooted in liberation, and by nurturing deep relationships with my community. I’m passionate about learning and teaching practices that promote healing—whether through somatics, storytelling, or spiritual reflection. Music, time in nature, and slow mornings are some of the ways I reconnect with myself. I also find joy in supporting others on their journeys, whether through therapy, workshops, or community care projects.
 “Don’t rush the process—relationship is the intervention.”
This reminds me that deep change happens in the context of trust, and that simply showing up with presence and care is powerful.
Village of Wisdom
Duke University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Neuroscience
Master’s in Social Work
May, 2024
The brilliance and successes of Student U’s community
