How a Promise to Her Kids Inspired Amber Bowman to Earn Her Degree

Amber Bowman '25 packed her cap and gown, loaded her two teenagers into the car, and set off on the long drive from Maryland to Manchester, New Hampshire to celebrate her Commencement at the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Arena.

“It was important for me to make that 10-hour road trip today because I have two seniors out there in the audience today, and I wanted them to see that no matter what, even if it takes you 30 years, you, too, can graduate college,” she said after walking across the stage in her regalia and rainbow stole.

Bowman had earned both her associate in liberal arts and her bachelor's in general studies from SNHU. She said her kids even decorated the top of her cap for the occasion. “(It was) their little piece to make sure they were down there with me,” she said.

Her Journey to the Finish Line

According to Bowman, she had made several attempts to complete college over the years, earning credits here and there before she decided to finish for good.

“I was going to completely stop, but then I was like, I can't let my kids graduate before me,” Bowman said. “So that was my goal, and I achieved it.”

She noted that she chose liberal arts and general studies because she could transfer her previous credits into the programs, allowing her to get her degree faster. “It all fell into that degree,” she said.

Bowman’s background lies in banking. During her program, she took a financial reporting course that she found especially beneficial to her career. “It definitely helped me better understand how to read the business financials as opposed to just looking at them through the bank,” she said.

For Bowman, the journey was even bigger than just earning a diploma, and she said it was all worth it. “I wanted to show my children that no matter what, you can do it, too,” she said.

Rebecca Cahill '26 is a content marketing assistant and writer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). She completed her bachelor’s in creative writing and English at SNHU and is now pursuing a master's in English and creative writing. Based in Ohio, she has also written for FreshWater Cleveland and The Land and serves on the board of Literary Cleveland. When she’s not writing, you'll most likely find her nose in a book, dogs at her side, surrounded by way too many houseplants. Connect with her on LinkedIn.