17-YEAR-OLD GIRL, DOROTHY JEAN TILLMAN, EARNS DOCTORATE DEGREE

download 2024 05 16T100008.328

17-YEAR-OLD GIRL, DOROTHY JEAN TILLMAN, EARNS DOCTORATE DEGREE

A teenager from Chicago walked in her graduation ceremony this month after earning her doctoral degree at 17.

Dorothy Jean Tillman II told “Good Morning America” that she was homeschooled in her early years before entering college at age 10.

In 2020, she said she earned a Master of Science degree, and then, one year later, at age 15, was accepted into the Doctorate of Behavioral Health Management program at Arizona State University.

In December 2023, at 17, Tillman successfully defended her dissertation to earn her doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from ASU’s College of Health Solutions.

On May 6, she walked at ASU’s spring commencement ceremony.

Tillman told “GMA” she has always held education in such high regard in part due to her family’s background.

“People in my life like my grandmother, who was part of the Civil Rights movement, she of course harped on the importance of education and consistently learning something always,” Tillman said. “But the way I always held education so high on my own, aside from being raised that way, was finding different things to be educated about.”

She continued, “I feel like that urge to learn something new just never didn’t exist for me.”

Dr. Lesley Manson, a clinical associate professor at ASU, told “GMA” that Tillman is the youngest person in school history to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health.

Manson said she oversaw Tillman’s dissertation for the doctoral program offered through ASU Online.

During her studies, Tillman wrote a journal article of her dissertation and completed an internship at a university student health center, according to Manson.

“She really led change and worked on different forms of management to really reduce healthcare stigma and improve that student population there to be able to enter and accept student health services,” she said of Tillman. “It was wonderful to see her and help her navigate some of those personal and professional interactions and grow through those experiences.”

Manson described Tillman as an “inquisitive” and “innovative” student, and emphasized just how rare it is to accomplish what she has so far.

“It’s a wonderful celebration … but this is still something so rare and unique,” she said. “She has innovative ideas and motivation, which is wonderful, and truly, I think what is inspiring is that she embodies that meaning of being a true leader.”

Manson said she hopes Tillman continues to inspire people with her love of learning, saying, “That curiosity is always there, and I think all learners come with that, but it’s great to be able to see it in someone so young as well.”

Her inspiration and how she gives back to community

Tillman said her own journey wouldn’t be possible without the support of her mom, who she said is one of her biggest motivators.

“Seeing my mother consistently work so hard to continuously uphold our family’s legacy, and be that person that everyone was able to go to, if they needed anything … always seeing [her] like [a] ‘wonder woman’ definitely made me want to grow up [into] an accomplished person,” she said.

An advocate for education, Tillman is also the founder and CEO of a leadership institute that emphasizes the arts and STEM.

“I feel like adding art and putting a focus on it throughout science, technology, engineering and math makes the kids excited to learn all those things,” she said. “And it opens them up to all of the possibilities and all the knowledge provided in that area of just STEM.”

As for her plans after graduation, Tillman said she is “just like any other teenager, still figuring out what my specific dreams and goals are.”

“I’m really just grateful that the world is my oyster, and that I’ve done so much so young,” she said. “And I have time to kind of think that through.”

Tillman added that she hopes young people will take away from her story that it’s OK to continually figure out what you want to do in life.”Always remember that everyone has points in their life where they feel like they’re figuring it out,” she said. “And so figuring things out, not knowing what you want isn’t a bad thing. But making the choice not to sit down and try to figure it out is.”

  • Dons Eze

    DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.

    Related Posts

    NORTHERN EMIR BANS CHURCH ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTIAN FAMILIES

    NORTHERN EMIR BANS CHURCH ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTIAN HOMES The Emir of Rano, Ambassador Muhammad Isa Umaru, has placed a strict ban on church activities inside residential buildings within the Emirate. The directive follows a wave of petitions from concerned residents, prompting the Emir to set up a special investigative committee. Findings from the committee confirmed that a church in Yadi Quarters, Rano town, was conducting services in a residential house without adhering to proper legal procedures. Rano Emirate is home to 27 certified churches, where Christians worship freely without interference. Findings from the committee confirmed that a church in Yadi Quarters, Rano town, was conducting services in a residential house without adhering to proper legal procedures. Rano Emirate is home to 27 certified churches, where Christians worship freely without interference. However, unauthorized worship in residential buildings sparked discontent among locals, leading to formal complaints. Acting on the committee’s report, the Emir swiftly ordered an immediate halt to all church activities in residential buildings to prevent any potential breach of peace. Committee Secretary, Alhaji Umar Isa Sarki, revealed that multiple petitions raised concerns over the legality of the services being held in private homes. Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Kano chapter chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

    TOO MANY PEOPLE COME TO UK TO WORK ILLEGALLY – PRIME MINISTER VOWS TO END IT

    TOO MANY PEOPLE COME TO WORK IN UK ILLEGALLY – PRIME MINISTER, VOWS TO END IT UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to take decisive action against illegal immigration, vowing to put an end to the practice of individuals entering the country to work illegally. In a statement via X on Monday, Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the need for stricter controls, stating: “Too many people are able to come to the UK and work illegally. We are putting an end to it.” In a related development, Kemi Badenoch, UK’s conservative leader, had revealed that the Conservative Party would implement significant changes in the country’s immigration policy. According to her proposal, immigration reforms will include extending the waiting period for ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’ (ILR) from five to ten years. Additionally, immigrants will now have to wait five years after obtaining ILR before applying for British citizenship, increasing the total process to at least 15 years. Badenoch’s proposal also introduces stricter restrictions on eligibility. Individuals with criminal records, those dependent on social housing, or those claiming benefits will be permanently barred from settling in the UK. Furthermore, anyone who enters the country illegally or overstays their visa will be banned from ever obtaining leave to remain or British citizenship

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    SHARIA: YORUBA MUSLIMS NOT YOUR SLAVES – AKINTOYE TELLS SULTAN

    • By Dons Eze
    • February 12, 2025
    • 10 views

    ENUGU LP HOUSE OF REPS MEMBERS JOIN APC

    • By Dons Eze
    • February 12, 2025
    • 48 views

    CAMBRIDGE HONOURS NIGERIAN PHD STUDENT FOR BIAFRA HERITAGE PROJECT

    • By Dons Eze
    • February 12, 2025
    • 19 views

    NORTHERN EMIR BANS CHURCH ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTIAN FAMILIES

    • By Dons Eze
    • February 12, 2025
    • 53 views

    TOO MANY PEOPLE COME TO UK TO WORK ILLEGALLY – PRIME MINISTER VOWS TO END IT

    • By Dons Eze
    • February 12, 2025
    • 35 views

    TENSIONS RISE BETWEEN ANAMBRA, IMO OVER KILLING OF TWO RESIDENTS BY SOLUDO’S AGUNECHEMBA