Featured Hawks: Jada Caruthers
Every Monday through Thursday for the month of July, Chowan Athletics will spotlight select student-athletes and coaches in a series called Featured Hawks. This series highlights Hawks who exemplify excellence in the classroom, in competition, and within the Chowan community. Student-athletes were selected based on their academic achievement, athletic performance, leadership, character, and overall standing with the university. Coaches have the opportunity to share their coaching journey, discuss their programs, and provide insight about their vision for the future.
Fans will learn more about the individual experiences and stories of our student-athletes and coaches at Chowan. Beginning in August, Fridays will transition to Feature Fridays, continuing the spotlight series by highlighting one individual throughout the school year each week.
July 22nd, 2026
Jada Caruthers is a junior Biology (Pre-Medicine) major from Atlanta, Georgia, and a three-year member of the Chowan volleyball team. As a middle blocker, Caruthers has established herself as a vocal leader on the court while making a positive impact on the program through her work ethic and leadership.
Beyond volleyball, Caruthers is deeply involved across the Chowan community. She serves as a Ministry Chaplain, is a member of the Chowan Chapel Worship Team, a Leadership Scholar, and a Presidential Ambassador. She was also inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national honor society recognizing excellence among collegiate student-athletes.
In the classroom, Caruthers has distinguished herself as an outstanding student, maintaining a strong GPA while balancing the demands of academics, athletics, and campus leadership. She earned Dean's List honors and was named to the Conference Carolinas Fall and Spring Presidential Honor Roll. Caruthers also helped the Chowan volleyball program earn the highest team GPA among all women's athletic programs, further demonstrating the team's overall commitment to academic excellence.
What has your experience as a Chowan student-athlete meant to you?
I love being a student here at Chowan University. There's so much diversity in the cultures, and the backgrounds of many people, and you just learn different things over time. I love the camaraderie and how the teams support each other at the games. To hear all the cheers, to hear all the excitement, and to see the gym filled every game makes me feel like like I'm at home and it's just one big happy family. I love how we are all close together and that we have each other's back and it really resembles faith, family, and future.
How have your coaches and teammates influenced your growth as a person?
My coaches and my teammates have influenced my growth over these past two years, coming up on three, by really just stretching me as a person, taking me out of my comfort zone, and showing me what it means to be comfortable being uncomfortable. It's taught me patience, it's taught me endurance, and it's taught me how to trust in others and how to delegate leadership. I've learned to navigate and work with different personalities, which really helps you as you go to the next level in life, whether it's for education or just in the working field. So, I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had with different people, cultures, groups, and teams here at Chowan University.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a hawk?
I say do it. If you're looking for the family, closeness, diversity and culture, and a change in scenery, I would definitely say come to Chowan University. They'll teach you not only life skills, but also how to become a better person, how to grow in your leadership, and how to work with different people from around the world. They help you unlock and achieve different opportunities and take it to the next level in any way that you would like to succeed. Whether it's spiritually, mentally, socially, with your career, or in academics, there's always someone there who can help support you along the way and take you where you need to be.
