Middlebury wrapped up its second year with
RADical Health on Sunday, January 26. The Department of Athletics began its partnership with
RADical Hope in the fall of 2023 and had its first class of graduates complete the four-week RADical Health program during J-term of 2024. Middlebury is piloting this program for four years and requiring all first-year student-athletes who are on campus for J-term to participate in the mental health program.
Every Sunday night during J-term for four weeks, each of the 17 groups, led by a pair of peer guides, met on campus for an hour-and-a-half session.
"Last year as a first year, RADical Hope gave me a community I never imagined finding, transforming my perspective in ways I'll never forget," said football and track and field athlete Cody Weitzman. "Teaching it this year has been deeply fulfilling, as I've witnessed my group's incredible growth and how far we've all come together, from saying little words in the beginning to becoming a family. Seeing the group embrace vulnerability and connection reminds me of the power of shared experiences."
Weitzman was one of 14 sophomores who returned to the program to serve as guides this year. Joining him were classmates Emma Kirck, Audrey MacLean, Shawna Ferraro, Aidan Moss, Sam Opawuyi, Julian Galindo Macias, Will Sawin, Harper Nicholl, Piper Dubow, Molly Harrison, Lauren Baxter, Ella Pate and Miranda Moser.
"Over the past two years, I've had the incredible privilege of collaborating with Middlebury Athletics to integrate the RADical Health program into the first-year student-athlete experience," said Program Director MacKenzie Kelly. "This journey has been inspiring, as I've seen firsthand how the leadership and dedication of administrators and student-athletes can bring the program to life on a respective campus and create a lasting impact within a community. To date, RADical Hope has reached 2,800+ student-athletes on seven NESCAC campuses with tools and resources to support their overall health and well-being. Middlebury's leadership in making student-athlete wellness a priority has been instrumental in RADical Hope's growth and impact."
Also serving as guides this year were juniors Luke McNamara, Paul Shen, Nathan Stellmach, Mary Elliot, Brooke Collins, Lily Bulczynski, Melissa White and Brooke Dolan. Rounding out the group of mentors were seniors Cece Ziegler, Nathan Samii, Justin Lessing, Owen Fox, Kunal Handa, Jin Lee, Kylie Wilson, Sam Amato, William McCarthy, Sabrina Kim, Hope Shue and Burdine Atherton.
"It has been a real point of pride to continue our program with RADical Hope at Middlebury," said Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Communications Ali Paquette. "When we conducted the exit survey with our first-years last year, nearly 90% of them said they would continue to require the program for future first-year student-athletes. That was something that stuck with our administration and solidified how valuable this program is at a critical time for young adults. Adjusting to college can be incredibly challenging, and being able to provide peer-to-peer connection and community through this program is making a difference in that transition for our student-athletes. We are grateful for our partnership with RADical Hope, specifically the outstanding work by Liz Feld and MacKenzie Kelly, and we look forward to our third cohort beginning the program in J-term of 2026."
To date, nearly 350 Middlebury first-year student-athletes have gone through the program, while 68 sophomores, juniors and seniors have served as guides.
