A 17-year-old girl from Chicago, USA has just received her doctorate and was honored when attending the graduation ceremony, attracting the attention of American and international media.
Dorothy Jean Tillman speaks at the graduation ceremony (Photo: AP).Extraordinary learning process
According to ABC News, this young Doctor is Dorothy Jean Tillman.
Dr. Tillman’s extraordinary story began at the age of 10, when she was admitted as an exceptional student to the College of Lake County in California to study psychology. From there, she embarked on an extraordinary academic journey.
Fast forward to 2020, and Tillman earned her Master of Science degree from Unity College. Just one year later, at age 15, she enrolled in Arizona State University’s doctoral program in behavioral health management, continuing her remarkable journey.
In an interview with “Good Morning America,” Dr. Tillman revealed that the driving force behind her thirst for knowledge was her deep family background and her ancestors’ active involvement in the civil rights movement.
In particular, her grandmother’s constant learning and deep understanding of her culture instilled an unshakable belief in her. “Growing up, I was always taught that education was the key to the world,” Tillman recalls.
Dorothy Jean Tillman with her parents at the graduation ceremony (Photo: QQ).
Since 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood, Tillman has been relentless in her pursuit of knowledge. This desire stems not only from the encouragement of her family but also from her boundless curiosity about the outside world.
“For me, learning is never limited to school subjects but about exploring every corner of the world and the endless mysteries waiting for us to discover,” she said.
The depth and mystery of the field of psychology has fascinated Tillman since she was a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥. This curiosity has driven her to delve deeper, making it a core driving force in her academic journey.
In December 2023, at the age of 17, she successfully defended her doctoral dissertation at the College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University and received her PhD in Integrative Behavioral Health. On May 6, she attended the graduation ceremony, officially announced as the highest achievement in this field.
Tillman made no secret of her excitement about graduation. She looked forward to this momentous moment with her classmates. Her joy and anticipation matched the mood of every graduating senior. Leslie Manson, PhD, clinical associate professor at Arizona State University, praised Tillman’s achievement, noting that she is the youngest behavioral health doctor in the school’s history; emphasizing that this is a special honor that deserves to be celebrated.
Dorothy Jean Tillman and her instructor at the graduation ceremony (Photo: QQ).Success through continuous learning
When it comes to her secret to success, Tillman credits her mother as the pillar of strength behind her. Her mother’s relentless work ethic and the family’s legacy inspired her to pursue her education.
“My mother is like an all-powerful ‘Wonder Woman.’ Her perseverance and dedication made me determined to be someone who makes a difference,” Tillman said emotionally.
As head of the Dorothyjeanius STEAM Leadership Institute, Tillman actively promotes educational innovation and inspires 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren to learn through summer camps that combine the arts and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
“Integrating art into STEAM opens up 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren’s imagination and gives them a passion for exploring knowledge,” she explains.
Despite her impressive early success, Tillman remains humble and eager to learn. She reminds her peers that behind the social media glamour, they should maintain critical thinking and understand the complexity and uncertainty of life.
“Remember, there will be moments of discovery and confusion in everyone’s life. Not knowing your direction is not a failure. The important thing is to never stop and be brave enough to find the answer,” Tillman reminded.