Chowan College Women's Cheerleading

Latoya Powell enters her fifth season as head coach of the Chowan Competitive Cheer program. The 2025-26 season served as a testament to the program's growing consistency, as Powell led both the sideline and competition squads to their third consecutive appearance at the Conference Carolinas Spirit Championship in Spartanburg, S.C. This followed a foundational 2024-25 campaign, during which the Hawks successfully balanced their sideline duties to make their second-ever showing on the conference championship stage. The previous year, Powell helped lead the Hawks to a 2nd place finish in the Non-Stunt/Tumble Division at the National Black Cheerleading Competition in Greensboro. In 2022-23, Powell helped lead the Hawks to a Runner-Up finish in the Stunt/Tumble Division at the Collegiate Stomp and Shake competition in Raleigh. Powell comes to Chowan after owning and operating her own dance studio, Breathe Dance Studio in Franklin, Va.  While running her own studio, Powell was the Head Coach of the Cheerleading team at Franklin HS.  During the 2018 season, she led the Broncos to being named Most Improved Cheer team at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) competition. Prior to Breathe Dance Studio, Powell was the dance instructor at New Mount Zion Baptist Church where she helped with the cheerleading team, youth male dance team, along with the praise dance and mime ministry programs. The Franklin, Va. native attended St. Augustine’s, where she received a scholarship as a majorette.  While at St. Aug’s, Powell participated as a Blue Chip cheerleader, on the CIAA Competition Cheer squad, and a member of the Lady Unique Dance team.

In May 2024, Sherry Lewis was named the head coach of the Chowan University women's flag football team, tasked with leading the Hawks through the launch of the university's inaugural program. A proud alumna of Chowan, Lewis transitioned into this historic role while also serving as the head coach for the men’s and women’s cross country programs. During the 2025 cross country season she led the men’s cross country team to a first-place finish over ECSU at Valley Pine Country Club and mentored runners on both squads to reach personal bests throughout the season. On the gridiron, Lewis guided the flag football program to dominant 34-13 road victory over Virginia Wesleyan that set an optimistic tone for the program's future growth. Lewis brings a wealth of leadership experience to the department, having earned her bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Sport Studies and Coaching from Chowan in 2014, followed by a master’s degree in Sports Management from Virginia State University in 2017. "We welcome Sherry back to campus and are excited to have her lead us into our flag football era," stated Patrick Mashuda, Associate Vice President for Athletics and Compliance. "Sherry's personal and professional beliefs align perfectly with our athletic department mission of teaching, serving, and competing." She recently served as assistant women's basketball coach at Richard Bland College, where she oversaw recruiting, game strategy, player development, and academic support. Her professional experience also includes leadership roles with Richmond Parks and Recreation and Prince George County Parks and Recreation, where she was instrumental in planning youth and adult athletic programs, managing facilities and event operations, and mentoring young athletes. In addition to her coaching and recreation department experiences, Lewis serves as an adjunct instructor with the Sport Studies Department at Virginia State University. She has taught several courses including officiating and flag football.  "Having Sherry back is a blessing for our department," stated Meredith Long, Deputy Athletic Director. "As a former two-sport student-athlete at Chowan she understands the landscape and the university well. We look forward to seeing how the experiences she gained while she has been in the field since she graduated will be applied here at Chowan."   Lewis was a member of the Chowan Hawks women's bowling team and the inaugural season of women's lacrosse (2013). In addition to her work in athletics, Lewis has over a decade of service in the United States Army as a Transportation Management Coordinator. Her military background has equipped her with invaluable skills in logistics, operations management, team coordination, and leadership.