D'Amani "Dee" Bowman '20 '21

Why Dee chose Rider

When D’Amani "Dee" Bowman first visited Rider's campus, she had the overwhelming feeling of being “at home.” Being a first-generation college student, the community and available resources played a significant role in her decision. Dee earned both a bachelor's in psychology and master’s in clinical mental health counseling in just five years, as part of Rider's accelerated 4+1 program.

Rider’s impact on Dee

Rider helped shape Dee as a future therapist, and she couldn’t imagine receiving a better experience elsewhere. At Rider, she learned to step out of her shell with the support of the psychology and counseling faculty. Her professors provided the guidance and resources to ensure she thrived academically and professionally. 

During her time at Rider, Dee gained valuable hands-on experience through a counseling internship with a practice called ‘The Mental Mediator,’ where she provided support and therapy for those suffering from a wide range of mental illnesses. She was also awarded a scholarship from The National Board for Certified Counselors. This scholarship is offered to students who are currently enrolled in a master’s level counseling program, and are committed to helping people in rural communities after graduation.

Continued success

Today, D'Amani is a Licensed Associate Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She helps her clients develop healthy coping skills through methods including cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.

Advice to future students

Her advice to students is to “get involved with everything!” D’Amani took every opportunity to be involved with various clubs, organizations and jobs at Rider, which helped her to network both professionally and socially.