Dowd graduated in 2017 with a degree in psychology. During her collegiate career, she was senior captain of the sculling team. Dowd set the school record for the fastest "Around the Buoy" (5k Around the Buoy Race) Time in the Lightweight Double and the Lightweight Coxed Quad in 2016. She also contributed to two consecutive undefeated seasons in the Lightweight Four during her junior and senior year.
During her coaching debut in 2017-18 season, she coached the Women's Novice Eight and the Women's Novice Four to Second-Place finishes at the New York State Championships and the NIRC Championships, which contributed to her team being named the Liberty League Novice Crew of the Year, and Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year.
