The University of Maryland Eastern Shore announces AI for GOOD, Brave Hearts Tour date in partnership with the NCAA
 

Princess Anne, MD – In a historic step toward building AI for Good and advancing equity for HBCU student-athletes, the Alfreeda Goff Foundation, known as athLEDA, is continuing its partnership with the ARISE Experience, marking three years of collaboration with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).

 
Since its launch at UMES in 2022, ARISE has become a model for proactive student-athlete development, empowering university partners as they strengthen systems addressing "Life beyond Sport." Over the past three years, UMES has seen measurable growth in student-athletes' confidence, access to resources, with industry mentors from JPMorgan Chase to NCAA Leadership.

 
What began with fewer than 100 student-athletes in the NCAA pilot has since expanded to more than 1,300 student-athletes reached in 2025 alone. From on-campus activations to innovative AI for Good, the Bravehearts Tour continues to scale nationwide, with partner institutions such as Hampton University, Claflin University, and Clark Atlanta University.

 
About ARISE (Authentic Resilient, Innovative STEM Empowerment)
ARISE is a holistic program built on three pillars:
 

• Life Beyond Your Sport: equipping student-athletes with personal and professional upskilling.
• Financial Health: advancing financial literacy and teaching "money moves" tailored to college athletes.
• Mental to Performance: reducing stigma, empowering sports and academic performance while optimizing care with campus counseling centers and sports clinics.

 
 
At UMES and partner campuses, ARISE provides seamless, confidential access to mentors and industry networks, culturally responsive financial education, and mental to performance systems. Powered by auntEDNA.ai, sports-focused clinicians gain data-driven insights to identify proactive needs to elevate performance. These responsible systems strengthen institutional support for student-athletes, shifting the paradigm from reactive interventions to proactive empowerment.
 
 
Research & Impact
 

NCAA Studies show that student-athletes often face social, academic, and performance pressures creating 20 times greater likelihood of a mental health crisis while competing in sport. The Alfreeda Goff Foundation powered by auntEDNA.ai  responds directly to these realities by offering culturally grounded interventions that validate lived experiences, foster resilience, and bridge institutional gaps in care.

 
 
"This expansion is not just about software—it's about reshaping how entire institutions think about the student-athlete experience," said Dr. Tracey Hathaway, Co-Founder of The Alfreeda Goff Foundation. "By combining the trust of a nonprofit foundation, the scale of a technology company, and campus resources, student-athletes gain agency to thrive not only in sport but in life. Our research shows that equity-minded, holistic supports improve retention, wellness, and long-term success."
 
 
Impact for UMES and Beyond
 

• Growth with Intention: Since 2022, UMES has leveraged ARISE to expand its student-athlete support infrastructure, creating new opportunities for leadership development, financial literacy, and mental health.
• Built with Trust: From fewer than 100 student-athletes in the original NCAA pilot to over 1,300 projected in 2025, ARISE demonstrates what it means to meet the student athlete where they are.
• Culturally Responsive Innovation: Rooted in equity frameworks, ARISE advances access by centering the voices of underserved student-athletes.

 
 
About the Alfreeda Goff Foundation & auntEDNA.ai

 
The Alfreeda Goff Foundation (formerly AthLEDA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing mental health equity through research, partnerships, and culturally responsive care models. auntEDNA.ai a responsible AI sister company,  is a recipient of an NSF SBIR Digital Health Award, transforming athlete performance in just 30 seconds a day.