Chicago Teen Earns Doctoral Degree at 17, Walks in Graduation Ceremony

Chicago’s own Dorothy Jean Tillman II has accomplished what few can even imagine. At just 17 years old, Tillman walked in her graduation ceremony this month after earning her doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from Arizona State University (ASU).

Dorothy shared her remarkable journey on “Good Morning America,” explaining that she was homeschooled during her early years and entered college at the astonishing age of 10. By 2020, she had already earned a Master of Science degree. One year later, at 15, she was accepted into the Doctorate of Behavioral Health Management program at ASU.

Tillman successfully defended her dissertation in December 2023 and proudly walked at ASU’s spring commencement on May 6.

Tillman attributes her academic success to the strong emphasis on education in her family, especially influenced by her grandmother, who was involved in the Civil Rights movement. “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.”

Her professor, Dr. Lesley Manson, a clinical associate professor at ASU, praised Tillman as the youngest person in the school’s history to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health. Manson, who oversaw Tillman’s dissertation, commended her for leading change and reducing healthcare stigma during her internship at a university student health center.

“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,” Manson shared. “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, emphasizing the rarity of her achievements. “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 hopes Tillman continues to inspire others with her relentless curiosity and passion for learning. “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,” she said.