Amy Riley raised three children and supported her husband through multiple deployments with the U.S. Army and Air Force.
This Mother’s Day, the Emmaus woman is walking across the DeSales University stage alongside her son as they both celebrate their new bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice.
Justin Riley said he’s realized lately exactly how much work it took for his mother to support him and his two siblings, especially while she was holding down the homefront on her own.
“Now that I’ve gotten older, I recognize just how difficult it had to have been during that time to raise three rowdy children,” Justin said. “We were all playing sports, having different extracurricular activities that she had to haul us around to, so I think, looking back, I definitely appreciate what that took and the sacrifices she made to be able to ensure that as kids we were able to be kids.”
Amy Riley and her son Justin Riley. Amy Riley enrolled at DeSales University after earning her associate’s degree and being a stay-at-home mother for 27 years. Justin Riley transferred via the Aviat Scholarship after working in campus public safety at Lehigh Carbon Community College. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
Amy summarizes her experiences succinctly: “Working full time, being a mom and going back to school was not easy. But I did it!,” she said in an email.
Being a military wife for many years was not easy, Amy said, adding that she wishes there was more support for spouses. There is such an emphasis on supporting our troops, and rightfully so, she said, that at times she feels the spouses are forgotten about.
“I hear so many stories of women my age trying to find their way and starting their careers late in life because they supported their husband’s career so they could further themselves in rank etc. A position I found myself in,” Amy wrote.
Amy didn’t just keep her own home in order. She has spent a dozen years working as an emotional support educator, serving the students at Lower Macungie Township’s Shoemaker Elementary who need help managing emotions and developing the stress regulation skills that get them through the school day.
Now that Amy’s own children, which include not only 22-year-old Justin but also 18-year-old Faith and 27-year-old Thomas, are grown, she says she finally has time to focus on herself after years of “being mom and dad” and putting her career on hold.
“It was very hard at times however my family and friends were a great support to me and continue to do so,” Amy said. “My husband’s duty stations were never local so I did not have that military support unfortunately. I know there were many support groups for spouses but distance was always a factor. Something I would like to see change and have more support given to those who may not be near any duty stations.”
Getting a bachelor’s degree was always her goal, Amy said, but added that she was thrilled to be able to complete her associate’s degree during the pandemic.
Graduating with a bachelor’s degree is “more than I could ever imagine,” Amy said, emphasizing that it is “even more special graduating with my son.”
For Amy, the life of a military spouse has been challenging, and graduating alongside Justin marks a family milestone that makes her reflect back on the sacrifices she has made in service of supporting her husband’s military career.
Amy Riley and her son Justin Riley at the DeSales University campus in Center Valley. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
“My husband has been deployed many times and even missed the birth of our first son when he was stationed in Korea,” Amy said. “Soon after having our daughter he was sent to Kuwait and I was home with our three children. It was very hard on all of us. He has not deployed in quite some time now; however travels constantly with the Air Force so we do not see him much.”
Amy is not sure yet what she wants to do with her newly acquired bachelor’s in criminal justice but said she is actively researching career opportunities. Her experience as an emotional support teacher has her leaning toward continuing to work with youth.
Justin’s plans are more set. He attended Lehigh County Community College for his associate’s degree and then completed his bachelor’s degree at DeSales. As he completed his studies, he gained experience as a public safety officer at LCCC, and he plans to seek full-time work as a law enforcement officer.
DeSales spokesperson Eric Bartosz said the university values veterans and their families. He noted that Amy and Justin shared not only a criminal justice major but a psychology minor, which had unexpected advantages.
“They had the chance to not only compare notes on professors, but also help each other through assignments, and push one another to the finish line,” Bartosz said.