17-year-old Chicago girl obtains PhD, starts STEAM program

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While most 17-year-old’s are filling out college applications, Dorothy Jean Tillman achieved a remarkable milestone by earning a PhD.

Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman

The Chicago native recently defended her dissertation to receive a doctorate in Integrated Behavioral Health from Arizona State University.

In her research, Dr. Tillman focused on the impact of implementing an outreach and education program to reduce the stigma associated with using campus mental health services among college-aged students.

While she has earned her high school diploma, her bachelor’s, a double master’s and now her doctoral degree, Jean said the goal is to create a space for future generations to dream big.

STEAM Program

Tilllman started the Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute. “STEAM” stands 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 told ABC7 Chicago. “I think the quality is a lot better than the quantity, and so making sure I harp on curriculum.”

The institute has programs and events, but its primary focus is a summer camp.