Dalia Emara carries many identities with her every time she steps into the boat — she is a Muslim, Egyptian, North African woman, a daughter, and a competitor. At Stetson, those layers have become a source of pride and purpose. Rowing didn't just teach her discipline or how to handle early mornings; it helped her find her voice. The water became a place where she learned to balance faith, school, sport, and mental health — and where she discovered that strength isn't just physical.
"Being a female student-athlete means carrying strength with purpose," Emara said. "For me, it also means representing more than just myself — I represent my family, my culture, and girls back home who don't always see someone like them in this space."
Every stroke is a reminder that she belongs — not despite her identity, but because of it. Competing at a high level while staying true to her values has become one of the things she's most proud of, and she approaches each opportunity with a sense of responsibility beyond herself.
"Every time I line up to race, train, or earn my seat, I feel like I'm opening a door — not just for me, but for other girls who might think they don't belong," she said.
Dalia's path to Stetson wasn't a straight line. Originally from Egypt, she came to the United States for university and began her college career in Chicago — at a school that didn't offer rowing. But even without a team, she wasn't willing to let the sport go.
Instead, she found a way to keep chasing it, training and competing with a masters club in Chicago. That determination eventually led her to Stetson, where she was recruited as a transfer and found a program that matched her goals and her drive.
For Dalia, Stetson quickly became more than just a place to compete. It became a community — one that stayed close when she needed it most.
"My teammates and coaches helped me feel seen and supported as a whole person, not just an athlete," Dalia said. "When I lost my dad, that was one of the hardest moments of my life, especially being away from Egypt and my family. But the people around me at Stetson really showed up."
Her teammates checked on her, stayed close, and reminded her she wasn't alone. Her coaches gave her the space and understanding she needed while still keeping her connected to her goals. That support became the foundation that allowed her to keep moving forward — to show up to practice, to compete, and to heal.
Like many women in sports, Dalia has felt the weight of having to prove herself repeatedly — to show that she's strong enough, serious enough, and deserving of opportunities. Along the way, she's learned how important it is to understand what her mind and body need in order to perform at her best.
"I've faced very real challenges as a woman with the mental and physical side of performance," she said. "Learning how to balance being tough and competitive while still feeling feminine, and learning to listen to my body instead of fighting it — those experiences forced me to grow."
Through it all, she's learned that resilience isn't only about pushing through. It's also about patience, self-awareness, and taking care of yourself in the process — showing up even when it's hard, and choosing strength again and again.
The strength she carries today is also rooted in what she's seen at home — in the quiet consistency of the person who has always been in her corner.
"My mother inspires me the most," Dalia said. "She represents the kind of strength I grew up seeing — patient, resilient, and full of faith. She doesn't quit when life gets heavy. She keeps going, even quietly, and that is powerful."
Dalia's experience as a female student-athlete has shaped her into someone who wants to make space for others. She knows the impact of representation — of seeing someone who looks like you, prays like you, or comes from where you come from — and she wants to be that for the next generation.
She also hopes people recognize the reality behind women's sports — the work, commitment, and sacrifice it takes to compete at a high level.
"Women's sports is not 'less intense' or 'less serious,'" she said. "The work is real. The sacrifice is real. When people support women's sports, they're not just supporting teams — they're supporting girls who need role models, especially girls from backgrounds that are not always visible in sports spaces."
Her advice to young girls who dream of competing is simple and powerful:
"Don't shrink yourself. Don't wait for permission. If you love sports, go after it fully. Be consistent, even when you're not confident yet — confidence comes from repetition. And if you're a girl from a culture where people might not expect you to do this, remember: you can still do it. Your identity is not something you have to hide to succeed."
Three words come to mind when Dalia thinks about her journey at Stetson: resilient, identity-building, and empowering.
"I learned how to keep showing up through challenges," she said. "I became more confident as a Muslim Egyptian North African woman in this space. And Stetson athletics helped me grow into a stronger version of myself — on and off the water."
And with every early morning practice, every earned seat, and every race lined up against the best, Dalia continues to prove that her identity is not something she has to set aside to succeed — it is the very foundation of her strength. For her, rowing is more than competition. It's a platform, a purpose, and a message to the girls watching from afar: there is room for you here, too.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
