Chicago teen, Dorothy Jean Tillman II, also known as “Dorothy Jeanius,” becomes the youngest person to graduate with a doctoral degree from Arizona State University, at just age 17. Starting her higher-education journey at 10 years old, Tillman has since earned her associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and now a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health. Her remarkable achievement makes her the youngest person to accomplish this feat.

“It’s a wonderful celebration, and we hope … that Dorothy Jean inspires more students,”

associate professor, Leslie Manson told Good Morning America.

“But this is still something so rare and unique.” 

Dorothy has achieved remarkable educational milestones at a young age. She began college courses at 10 years old and earned her associate’s degree in psychology in 2016. She later obtained a bachelor’s degree in humanities in 2018 and a master’s degree in science in 2020. Tillman was accepted into Arizona State University’s Behavioral Health Management Program in 2021. Despite most of her coursework being online, she attended her commencement ceremony and addressed her fellow graduates. 

Tillman credits her grandmother and mother for her educational pursuits and successes.

“Everything that we were doing didn’t seem abnormal to me or out of the ordinary until it started getting all of the attention,”

said Tillman, now 18.

Tillman is also the founder and CEO of the Dorothyjeanius STEAM Leadership Institute. The institute includes summer camps aimed at supporting young people in the fields of arts and STEM. Tillman has plans to engage in public speaking events and fundraising activities to further support the camp. She also envisions the possibility of franchising in the future.

“I’m just grateful that the world is my oyster and that I’ve done so much so young,”

Tillman told GMA. 

#Clique, what are your thoughts?