Jessica Chadwick
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Physical Education
College/School: School of Education and Human Development ; College of Arts, Sciences & Education
Growing up in Manchester, England, Jessica Chadwick had a passion for sports and competition. But swimming was her favorite. It pushed her body and mind beyond limits, something she credits with making her strong and resilient in and out of the pool.
A competitive swimmer, Jessica wanted to further her athletic career and obtain a college degree. FIU Women’s Swimming and Diving Head Coach Randy Horner invited her to visit FIU and immediately she knew it was where she needed to be.
At FIU, Jessica pursued a degree in physical education with a focus on sport and fitness studies. She interned with the Department of Physical Therapy and worked with patients diagnosed with paralysis and neurological disorders. She also was part of the FIU swimming and diving teams that won the 2014-2015, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 Conference USA championships.
During her sophomore year, Jessica and a teammate were at John D. MacArthur State Park in North Palm Beach when they saw two swimmers caught in a rip current. There were no lifeguards there that day, so the athletes jumped into action. They saved one swimmer but were unable to save the second, who drowned. Their selflessness earned them the FIU Medallion of Courage in 2015.
Jessica wants to pursue a master’s in physical therapy and work with athletes, helping them recover from injuries and return to the sports they love.