SNHU Spotlight: Emily Rowley, BA in Psychology Grad

Emily Rowley '24 doesn’t like to say she can’t do something. Born with bilateral phocomelia, an absence of both arms, and a rare condition called congenital microgastria, an abnormally small stomach, Rowley worked hard to achieve her goals. Now, she’s not only an advocate for others with disabilities, she’s also earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

“This milestone, graduating, is very exciting,” she said, at Commencement. “It’s a big accomplishment. So many hours were put into it. Sweat and tears, and we’re here today!”

Early Years and Support

Rowley said her parents believed in her before she was even born.

“There was a lot of talk from doctors saying I might not live that long, I’d be on machines,” she said. “My parents were like, ‘That’s the least of our worries, her having no arms. We want to give her the best life and the best opportunity possible.’” 

Rowley said growing up in a supportive household shaped her mindset — and her parents never treated her as a child with a disability, always encouraging her to try new challenges.

“(They kept) pushing me and (didn’t say), ‘You’re not going to do something because of your no arms.’ They were always so supportive and (helped) me when I (needed) it,” said Rowley.

After developing scoliosis at a young age, Rowley underwent numerous surgeries. As she got older, the recovery time she required increased, and as a result, her education was impacted. She said she was almost held back during her freshman year of high school.

“That was my big motivator,” she said. “(I thought)...we’re going to get it done whether (or not) you’re not feeling up to it. We’re going to push through because we can accomplish it.”

Rowley said, outside of her family, her teachers contributed to her success.

“(The teachers) never treated me differently,” she said. “So always having a supportive community around me has kind of allowed me to have that positive mindset and also just (feel) confident in myself. Being myself is the best thing that I could be.”

Realizing this, Rowley said she wouldn’t want to change who she is.

Advocating for Acceptance

Due to her unique opportunities and circumstances, Rowley said she’s able to raise awareness and make the world more open and accepting of those with disabilities.

“For me, being a disability advocate (is) important because you can come across people that might’ve not seen someone with a disability,” she said. “So to bring that awareness makes it so next time someone does see someone with a disability, they’re not going to either assume or judge of them because of their disability.”

Rowley, who is active on social media, particularly on TikTok, said she is always open to questions.

After beginning a series of how-to videos depicting her brushing her teeth and getting dressed, Rowley said she was surprised at how many questions people had. She took this as an opportunity to share with others what life is like for those with disabilities.

Inspired by her desire to help others, Rowley decided to pursue a psychology degree. But after visiting a few college campuses, she found a few areas of concern regarding accessibility, such as heavy doors with pull handles.

“All these small things that someone else might not think of, they start adding up for me,” she said.

SNHU and Beyond 

When she discovered SNHU’s online program, Rowley said she was shocked.

“I assumed an older school might not have as much accessibility,” she said. “I was just like this is amazing!”

Rowley said she could go to school and not feel rushed or overwhelmed. She wanted to be able to focus on her education while also enjoying her free time with her family.

“(Online school) works around you,” she said. “That is so accommodating and adapting to everyone. It’s very inclusive.”

As someone who said she loves new challenges and experiences, Rowley is preparing to start a new chapter: earning her master’s degree.

“I see myself working with people and being a support system for those who might not have one,” she said.

Rowley said her bachelor’s degree was a great starting point for achieving her goals, and it means a lot to her. She said the stigma surrounding mental health care is something she wants to change.

“We all need a support system,” she said. “We all need someone that’s there for us. And so for this career choice... whether it’s working with kids or adults, it makes a big impact on someone’s life, and for me, that’s the greatest reward you could have in life is making someone else’s life better.”

Abigayle Mahnken '22 is an assistant content writer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and is currently earning a Master of Arts (MA) in English and Creative Writing. Passionate about storytelling and education, she enjoys learning from fellow students' experiences and sharing their stories. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, reading, and learning. She also really likes video games. Connect with her on LinkedIn.