Le’Landra Jarvis: A Champion On and Off the Field

When Le’Landra Jarvis, a native of Jackson, South Carolina, first visited FMU, she knew she had found the place she would call home the next four years. As a soccer recruit, she would be able to continue her athletic career while receiving a superb education in her chosen fields – psychology and Spanish. Now, four years later, she’s leaving FMU well-equipped for her future, both on and off the pitch. 

Jarvis has always been drawn to psychology and how the human mind works. She enjoyed learning about every concept she encountered and how that knowledge could be applied to make a positive impact on others, helping them reach their full potential. 

“FMU’s psychology program has a great reputation,” said Jarvis. “I had heard so many good things about the quality of the program before I even started, and I can now attest to that. The professors here really care about you. They want to see you reach your potential and involve you in their research early on. Being able to learn concepts in class and then apply them in research projects was extremely useful.”

The Modern Language Award winner initially pursued Spanish in hopes it would help her on the soccer field as she aspires to play internationally. As her studies progressed, she realized she could combine her language skills with her psychology background to serve Spanish-speaking communities in the future.

A natural leader and motivating voice, it is easy to see why Jarvis was named captain of the women’s soccer team for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The right-winger brought her classroom knowledge to the field, enhancing her role as a leader and teammate.

Before the start of her senior season, she led a team-building initiative by asking her teammates to reflect on what being a champion meant to them. She placed a corkboard in the locker room and invited each player to write their thoughts on sticky notes and post them on the board – a tangible reminder of their shared goals. The motivation – combined with plenty of talent –propelled the team to win the 2024 Conference Carolinas Championship. Of all her memories at FMU, this one tops the list.

“It was a huge privilege to be a member of the Patriots women’s soccer team and to win the championship my senior year,” says Jarvis. “We were looked at as underdogs, but we fought to the very end in all of our games and won the conference title in the last 10 seconds. That was pretty special.”

Jarvis just so happened to make the game-winning assist.

Outside the classroom and off the field, Jarvis filled her time at FMU with a myriad of other activities. The entire experience, she says, shaped her into the person she is today.

She served as a mentor to underclassmen student-athletes and as president of the Modern Languages Club. She was also a member of Psi Chi, Sigma Delta Pi, the National Society for Leadership and Success, and Alive in Christ. In addition, she worked as a tutor in the Writing Center and as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in the university’s autism clinic, a role she’s held since her junior year.

After taking courses in advanced behavioral analysis, Jarvis became eager to apply her skills in everyday settings. She credits Dr. Christopher Bullock for encouraging her to pursue certification as an RBT at that time. The rigorous process included 180 hours of training and exams – which she completed on top of her classes and demands that come with being a student-athlete – and culminated in a certificate that allows her to work with individuals on social and communication skills, as well as daily living tasks. The hands-on experience she gained while still a full-time student-athlete has been invaluable.

“Working as an RBT has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever experienced,” says Jarvis. “Being able to see how I can help kids improve in this area brings me so much joy.”

Beginning next week, she’ll join the roster of the Tormenta FC, a pre-professional soccer club based out of Statesboro, Georgia, for the next few months. In January, she will move to Italy to begin playing at the Rome City Institute while pursuing a graduate degree in Sports Management. As part of her move to Italy, she will also work with the Serie A Elite Program, a partnership offered through the Rome City Institute, with hopes of playing professionally in Europe.

Though her time at FMU has come to a close, the education and experiences she received over the last four years will stay with her forever.

“FMU has helped mold me into the person I am today. I am forever indebted to my professors, coaches, teammates, and friends for the impacts they have had on my life.”