She Just Earned Her Doctorate at 17. Now, She’ll Go to the Prom.

By Alexandra E. Petri May 22, 2024

NY Times

Dorothy Jean Tillman II of Chicago made history as the youngest person to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health at Arizona State University.

In the article "She Just Earned Her Doctorate at 17. Now, She’ll Go to the Prom" by Alexandra E. Petri, the remarkable achievements of Dorothy Jean Tillman II, a 17-year-old from Chicago who earned a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from Arizona State University, are highlighted. Despite her young age, Tillman has demonstrated extraordinary academic prowess and determination, becoming a role model for many.

### Early Life and Education
Dorothy Jean Tillman, affectionately known as DJ, showed exceptional academic abilities from a young age. Raised in Chicago, she was home-schooled by her mother, Jimalita Tillman, a single parent with a background in community theater. This personalized education approach allowed DJ to progress rapidly. By the age of eight, she was taking high school classes, and by nine, she was already enrolled in college courses online.

### Academic Milestones
DJ's educational journey is nothing short of extraordinary:
- At 10, she earned an associate degree in psychology from the College of Lake County in Illinois.
- By 12, she had a Bachelor of Science in humanities from Excelsior College in New York.
- At 14, she obtained a Master of Science from Unity College in Maine.

These accomplishments are testament to her "rage to master," a term used by Ellen Winner, a professor of psychology at Boston College, to describe the intense motivation that drives gifted children to excel in their areas of strength.

### Doctoral Achievement
In November 2023, DJ successfully defended her dissertation, earning her doctorate in integrated behavioral health. Her thesis focused on developing programs to reduce the stigma around college students seeking mental health services, a topic she explored during an internship at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Despite the challenges of pursuing higher education at such a young age, DJ maintained a balance between her academic pursuits and social life, leveraging after-school activities to stay connected with peers.

### Future Plans and Inspirations
DJ's achievements have not only set a high bar for academic excellence but have also inspired her to support other young people. She founded the Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute to help Black youth in Chicago engage with STEM and the arts. Moving forward, she plans to continue this work and also take time to enjoy her teenage years, including attending prom with her best friend.

### Personal Reflections
DJ attributes much of her discipline and focus to her grandmother, Dorothy Wright Tillman, a civil rights activist. Her mother, Jimalita, initially hesitant about her daughter's pursuit of a doctorate, eventually supported her decision, recognizing DJ's passion for helping others with mental health issues.

### Conclusion
Dorothy Jean Tillman II's journey is a powerful story of early academic achievement and the potential of home-schooling for gifted children. It underscores the importance of supporting young prodigies in balancing their intellectual growth with social development. DJ’s story is a beacon of inspiration for young girls who are ambitious and intellectually gifted, showing them that it is possible to achieve great academic heights while still enjoying the joys of youth.

**Source**: Petri, A. E. (2024, May 22). She Just Earned Her Doctorate at 17. Now, She’ll Go to the Prom. *The New York Times*. Retrieved from [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/us/dorothy-jean-tillman-ii-docto...)

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com