A rising talent in international women’s football, Shania Charles from Saint Lucia, is set to take the next step in both her athletic and academic journey at Hesston College, a small liberal arts institution located in central Kansas. The experienced defensive player will make the move from Allen Community College, where she has spent the past two years competing and studying, and is scheduled to begin her tenure at the Kansas-based campus in the fall of 2026 while pursuing her undergraduate degree.
Hesston College, which boasts a tight-knit student body of just over 400 enrollees, fields its sports teams under two national collegiate athletic bodies: the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The program has already shown impressive momentum in its young NAIA history – last season, in the Larks’ first year competing as an NAIA member, the women’s football squad fought their way all the way to the CAC championship match, marking one of the most successful debut seasons in the program’s recent history.
Known as a versatile and battle-tested defender, Charles brings a wealth of on-pitch leadership experience to the Larks, where she will join the squad’s mission to “Defend The Nest” when she steps onto campus next year. During her time at Allen Community College, where she played for the Lady Red Devils, Charles earned the honor of serving as team captain in her final season. That year, she put up solid offensive numbers alongside her defensive duties, netting two goals and notching three assists while anchoring the team’s backline. Beyond the pitch, Charles has also established a strong track record of student leadership engagement at her current institution.
In her sophomore year at Allen Community College, Charles held the presidency of both the campus Student Senate and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She also took a lead organizing role in the college’s annual World Food Fair, building connections across the diverse campus community. A healthcare-focused student, Charles was a core member of a student team that took home first place at a statewide collegiate competition for their impactful mental health awareness campaign targeted at local amateur and youth athletes.