Bentley University Partners with RADical Hope to Strengthen Student-Athlete Resilience and Connection

WALTHAM, MA — August 20, 2025 — Bentley University and RADical Hope are proud to announce a new partnership dedicated to strengthening connections and building resilience in the lives of Bentley’s student body. This fall, Bentley will launch RADical Hope’s four-week, evidence-based program, RADical Health, with its first-year student-athletes, reinforcing the university’s commitment to holistic student-athlete development both on and off the field.

The program will bring together 140 first-year student-athletes led by 27 trained peer Guides, representing a wide range of Bentley’s NCAA Division II teams. Kicking off in September, the cohort will intentionally mix athletes from different sports to encourage inter-team connection, expand support networks and foster a more unified athletic community.

“The Flight Plan is a four-year initiative centered around the holistic development of our student-athletes so they’re more prepared for life after college and connect with all of the resources available to them while attending Bentley,” said Grace Carter, Manager for Student-Athlete Development at Bentley. “When I came across RADical Health, I knew it was an amazing opportunity to help with three of our key focal areas: leadership, wellness and community. I’m excited to see our upper-class athletes serve as role models and help our first-years acclimate to life away from home.”

With 212 Bentley athletes earning Academic Achievement Awards from the Division II Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) this year, the partnership with RADical Hope adds a powerful mental wellness component to the university’s well-rounded approach.

The peer Guide training will take place in person on August 29, empowering the school’s student-athletes with the tools to lead and support their teammates through the four-week experience.

ABOUT RADICAL HOPE

RADical Hope is committed to improving the lives and futures of young adults by strengthening connections and building resilience. The non-profit organization is addressing the youth mental health crisis by developing, funding and scaling evidence-based programs that focus on 5 core pillars: connectivity, engagement, emotional intelligence, empowerment and sustainability.