She graduated from college at age 10. Today, this Chicago teenager has a Ph.D.

Dorothy Jean Tillman II had always dreamed of her ball gown: royal blue, with a sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice.

“She’s a teenager,” said her mother, Jimalita Tillman.

But unlike the other teenagers, Dorothy is not in high school, far from it. Earlier this month, the 18-year-old earned a Ph.D. in Integrated Behavioral Health from Arizona State University. Her friends call her DJ, short for Dorothy “Jeanius”.

“I’m just grateful that I made it this far,” Dorothy said. “I have a very supportive team around me, so I feel very lucky.”

The Bronzeville teen is the youngest person to earn his doctorate degree in behavioral health from ASU. The median age of doctorate holders in the United States is 31.4 years. It's extremely rare for teens to earn doctorates: Only 0.6 percent of 18- and 19-year-olds have a bachelor's degree, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Dorothy now devotes her time to non-profit work, fighting educational inequality on the city's South Side.

Jimalita – her self-proclaimed “MomCEO” – said her only child excelled in advanced courses from a young age. As a child, she was homeschooled, isolated in a close-knit circle of tutors and coaches. At age 10, she started online classes at the College of Lake County as a psychology major.

Traditional school seemed too restrictive for the prodigy, her mother said.

“You can’t put a 10-year-old in a box,” Jimalita said. “She was very curious. Historically, many adults have not been able to deal with someone as young as a critical thinker.

While her classmates were in elementary school, Dorothy earned a bachelor's degree in humanities at Excelsior University. At 14, she completed a double master's degree from Unity Environmental University in environmental sciences and sustainable development. Rigorous, remote schoolwork hasn't always been easy.

“I try to give myself a big push in everything I do,” she said. “Sometimes it can be a little anxiety-inducing. »

A pioneering heritage runs in the family. His grandmother and namesake, Dorothy Jean Tillman I, served as a Chicago city councilman for more than two decades on the South Side. Known for her extravagant hats, she worked as a field staff organizer alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and was a vocal advocate for slavery reparations in the city.

“I carry her legacy with me,” Dorothy said of her grandmother. “I think seeing all the work she’s done as a community leader definitely inspired me to want to do something similar.”

At first, Dorothy was nervous about pursuing a doctorate, but she found herself drawn to ASU's online behavioral health program. A Ph.D. seemed like the natural next step in her educational journey, she said. She also loved the “merchandise” of the university, she recalls fondly.

“We went and spent about $800 at their store, and I was like, 'I think I'll stay.' I love that shirt,” she said with a laugh.

Her thesis, which she successfully defended at the age of 17, analyzed the stigma associated with mental health services on campus. Lesley Manson, an ASU professor and chair of Tillman's doctoral committee, described the teen as dedicated and hardworking. Her age only pushed her further.

“She faced challenges head on, never letting her age limit her aspirations,” Manson said in an email. “His passion for equity and advocacy was evident. »

Dorothy hopes to use her degrees to improve accessibility to STEAM education in Chicago (short for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics). She launched two nonprofits in 2020: Dorothyjeanius STEAM Leadership Institute and Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Labs, with locations in Chicago and South Africa.

His institute's free summer program in Bronzeville offers field trips, labs and classes to 30 students. This year, the waiting list has more than 200 families. Now that she has graduated, she hopes to run the program year-round.

The teenager is also an official advisor on STEAM education to the Government of Ghana and co-wrote a children's book encouraging young adults to unlock their potential.

Nearly 5,000 students have participated in activities through his nonprofit organization. Many say she is an inspiration.

“Even though Dorothy is technically the boss and CEO, she doesn't just make decisions, she wants to hear everyone's feedback,” said Aryn Delette, a 20-year-old camp counselor and nursing student. . “Watching her really makes you see yourself as a leader.”

JP Paulus' 12-year-old daughter attended the camp last summer. It wasn't until Dorothy appeared on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” last month that the couple realized the extent of their accomplishments. Paulus was struck by his down-to-earth nature.

“She's very smart, a doctor, but at the same time she's able to communicate with children and interact like a normal teenager,” said Paulus, a Bronzeville resident.

Dorothy tries to find a sense of normalcy through creative outlets. She is a member of a youth dance group, the Happiness Club, and frequently performs at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, where her mother works as global director. She received commissions for paintings and wrote plays.

“When I hear music, I can't help but dance,” Dorothy said. “When I have feelings, I can't help but want to write poetry. When I see something hilarious, I can't help but want to act it out.

Sometimes, she says she wonders if she missed some aspects of her childhood. Her circle of friends is a mismatched puzzle, she says, a network of people she met through extracurricular activities and other homeschooled students. But she doesn't like to dwell on the past.

“Comparison is the thief of joy,” Dorothy said. “And the grass isn't really greener on the other side, it's greener where you water it. I use metaphors a lot, but when you really imagine them, they definitely make you more comfortable in a wide range of situations. This is how I envisioned the future.

And the future looks bright. Before her graduation in February, her mother surprised her with a trip to Tokyo for Taylor Swift's “Eras Tour.” In March, she went on a graduation trip to Amsterdam with friends.

“We had so much fun,” Jimalita said. “We’re just trying to celebrate.”

Dorothy now hopes to take some time off before running her institute's summer camp. As for another diploma? She won't exclude him.

“In the past, I've gotten degrees and then asked myself, 'OK, what's next?' ” she says. “And the answer to my question now is simply to explore the world and what it has to offer.”

Last week, she and a friend were finally able to attend a high school prom.