After years of putting her education on hold, Tammy L. decided it was finally time to finish what she started — and she found the perfect fit in Rowan Online. With flexible courses, dedicated faculty and a strong sense of community, she discovered a path that worked for her busy life and career goals.
“I was doing higher level work in my job,” Tammy recalls, “but because I didn’t have my degree, I couldn’t move up.”
That realization motivated her to return to school and complete her degree — this time, in a learning environment designed for working adults like her.
Finding Confidence as an Adult Learner
Returning to college can feel intimidating, especially after time away from the classroom. For Tammy, the online experience made all the difference.
“The online experience for me as an adult learner was less intimidating than being in an in-person setting,” she says.
In Rowan’s flexible online format, Tammy found she could learn comfortably and connect meaningfully with classmates from different backgrounds.
“The differences between me at my age and my experiences versus younger college students was less stressful for me because we would have the discussions online,” she explains. “The other students that were younger than me — they were interested in my experiences too, and gave me the feeling that I belonged there and was part of the group.”
A Supportive Community That Cares
For Tammy, what set Rowan apart was the community and connection, even in an online setting.
“I’ve taken online classes at other institutions, and you don’t have that interaction with other students as much,” she says. “I think that was a really important part of Rowan.”
She credits Rowan’s student-centered approach and supportive culture for helping her stay motivated through her master’s program.
“Rowan has set me up for success after I received my master’s,” Tammy explains. “They really have ways of helping you figure out where you’re going. There’s support in place that will help you, and Rowan wants you to succeed — they’re going to do everything they can to help you do that.”
Achieving a Lifelong Goal
After all her hard work, Tammy says graduation day was an emotional experience — one that symbolized years of perseverance, commitment, and belief in herself.
“When I think back to graduating, it was surreal to be there and to be there with my family,” she says. “It was this bundle of energy and nerves and excitement — of ‘Now what?’ But also, ‘I did it! I finally did it!’”
Why Rowan
As a Top 100 public research institution, the fastest growing public research university in the Northeast and in the Top 10 nationwide, Rowan delivers affordable, high-quality education with direct ties to industry needs. For students like Tammy, that means leaving with not just a degree, but with the confidence and preparation to lead. Tammy’s story is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets opportunity — and when education fits into real life through Rowan Online.