DOROTHY TILLMAN: America’s Youngest 17-year-old PhD holder in Integrated Behavioral Health
…Had high school diploma, bachelor’s, double master’s degrees, intend to create a space for future generations to dream big, founded Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute
*”I felt like I had to be in either an arts program or a STEM program. I never felt like I got both at the same time. And so, integrating those and making it so they know, like, the right brain can’t work without the left brain. Being sure of yourself to the point where nobody can shake that, nobody can shake the way you think about yourself and your goals”-TILLMAN
*BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/AMERICA Senior Investigative Editor & TIM BOYLE/EDUCATION Reporter, USA
SHE IS THE PRIDE OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE ACADEMIC CIRCLE. At 17 years old when most of her age mates are busy starting their college applications, but at the same age, Dorothy Tillman has just earned a Ph.D. degree in Integrated Behavioral Health from Arizona State University.
Dorothy, who is from the South Side of Chicago, recently completed and defended her dissertation to receive a Ph.D. She already has her high school diploma, her bachelor’s, double master’s and now her doctoral degree. But the teen said the goal is not to collect degrees but instead create a space for future generations to dream big.
Dorothy started the Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute. “STEAM” is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
“I felt like I had to be in either an arts program or a STEM program. I never felt like I got both at the same time. And so, integrating those and making it so they know, like, the right brain can’t work without the left brain, I feel like is what makes it different,” she said. “I think the quality is a lot better than the quantity, and so making sure I harp on curriculum.”
While there are programs, initiatives and events year-round, the centerpiece of the institute is a summer camp program. Some of Dorothy’s campers have gone on to start their own businesses.
Tridia Davis, 14, is just getting her dream started.
“They show us, you know, how to make the music and the beats. They show us the process of writing and all types of different things and it’s just really helpful,” Tridia said.
And her mentor, even with all she’s achieved so far, will never stop dreaming big.
“Being sure of yourself to the point where nobody can shake that, nobody can shake the way you think about yourself and your goals,” Dorothy said.
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