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18-Year-Old Girl Gets Top School Degree in Arizona
May 14th, 2024
On an auspicious day in Tempe, Arizona, Dorothy Jean Tillman II, aged 18, marked a significant milestone by joining Arizona State University’s graduation ceremony. Her academic journey is extraordinary, having begun college studies at the tender age of 10. Before reaching her 17th birthday, she had already gathered an impressive collection of credentials—an associate’s degree followed by bachelor’s and master's degrees, and most recently, a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health. This last achievement positioned her as the youngest individual to obtain this level of academic distinction at Arizona State University.
This remarkable scholar, affectionately dubbed “Dorothy Jeanius” in homage to her intellect, traces her lineage to a former Chicago Alderwoman. Her formative academic years veered from conventional schooling when her mother enrolled her in college courses. With a focus on psychology, she laid the groundwork for her educational achievements at the College of Lake County in Illinois. Her intellectual endeavors carried her through various institutions—acquiring a bachelor’s in humanities from an educational facility in New York, and later, a master’s of science from a college in Maine—ultimately guiding her to Arizona State University’s Behavioral Health Management Program in 2021.
Much of Tillman's coursework took place virtually, yet she made a physical appearance at her commencement, where she took the opportunity to address fellow graduates. Her path to success, as she shared with The Associated Press, is one she trod faithfully, guided by her grandmother and her mother’s wisdom. Despite the unparalleled nature of her educational trajectory, it did come with sacrifices, as she missed out on shared experiences typical of high school life. Nevertheless, Tillman found time to indulge in dance and choreography, further diversifying her talents.
Beyond her personal accomplishments, Tillman established the Dorothyjeanius STEAM Leadership Institute, designed to nurture young talent in the arts and STEM. With an entrepreneurial spirit, she envisions expanding her initiative through public speaking engagements and fundraising, expressing hope to one day franchise her summer camp program.
Her story isn’t just about academic triumphs—her advisor at Arizona State praised her leadership qualities and innovative insights, highlighting her embodiment of what it truly means to lead. Tillman’s mother admires her daughter’s graceful representation of her achievements and her resolute nature, particularly in balancing social engagements with her commitment to education. As Tillman looks to the future, her story serves as an inspiring testament to youthful wisdom and the pursuit of excellence.
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💭 Discussion Questions
1
. Can you discuss the factors that may have contributed to Dorothy Jean Tillman II's accelerated academic progress and achievements?2
. How does Dorothy Jean Tillman II's creation of the Dorothyjeanius STEAM Leadership Institute reflect on her character and her aspirations beyond personal academic success?3
. What can be inferred about the role of mentorship in Tillman's life, and how might her experiences shape her approach in nurturing young talent?📖 Vocabulary
🌐 Cultural context
Cultural context: Arizona State University is a major public research university in the U.S. The American education system allows for early college enrollment, and prodigious achievements like Dorothy's are celebrated. The emphasis on STEM and leadership reflects U.S. educational values.
🧠 Further reading
Child prodigy
In the fascinating realm of child prodigies, youngsters under ten make an impact with their exceptional talents, performing at a level akin to that of adult experts in various fields. They not only captivate with their innate capabilities but are also acknowledged for their extraordinary success at a tender age in areas such as chess, where their achievements can be truly awe-inspiring.
A child prodigy often demonstrates a superior IQ, remarkable memory, and an incredible focus on detail, which plays a crucial role in their advanced abilities. It's interesting to note that prodigies in fields like mathematics and physics might have elevated IQs compared to their peers, which supports their advanced cognitive functions. Conversely, a high IQ could be more of a stumbling block for those exhibiting talents in the arts.
When considering chess prodigies, the study of their development reveals key insights. Expert K. Anders Ericsson underscored the significance of deliberate practice over natural talent. Such conscientious and focused practice is quite demanding and necessitates consistent concentration to correct errors. By beginning their chess training at an early age and adhering to a rigorous practice routine, prodigies often garner the necessary experience for their exceptional performances.
Moreover, the sheer volume of practice can lead to varying levels of success among children, influenced by factors like the quality of the practice and their genuine interest in chess. In terms of intelligence, chess prodigies may indeed exhibit higher IQs than typical children, particularly in areas such as fluid reasoning, spatial processing, attention to detail, and visual-motor integration. In contrast, their verbal intelligence, which involves understanding and reasoning with word-based concepts, may have the least significant association with their chess abilities.
Psychology
The field of psychology delves into the intricate workings of the mind and the myriad ways it influences behavior, examining both conscious and unconscious elements, as well as cognitive functions like thoughts and emotions. It is a vast academic territory that straddles the divide between the natural sciences, which study biological aspects of the brain, and social sciences, which examine individual and group behaviors.
Those who practice psychology professionally or engage in research are known as psychologists. Their work can align with that of behavioral or cognitive scientists, investigating how thought processes affect behavior, or probing into the physiological and neurobiological roots of these processes.
Psychologists conduct varied research encompassing perception, cognition, attention, emotion, intelligence, motivation, brain functions, and personality. They are concerned with not just the individual mind but also group dynamics and relationships. In their research, they utilize empirical methods to uncover relationships between various psychosocial factors, and some may also apply symbolic interpretation.
Their knowledge is not only pivotal for diagnosing and treating mental health issues but stretches to addressing challenges in diverse human contexts. The overarching goal of psychology is to foster societal well-being. This goal is reflected in the work of many psychologists who offer therapeutic services in clinical, counseling, or educational environments. Others devote themselves to rigorous scientific investigation across an array of topics within psychology.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
The collective fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are commonly known as STEM, forming a crucial sector that intertwines these technical disciplines while playing a pivotal role in educational strategies, labor development, national safety, and immigration procedures. The breadth of subjects encompassed by this term can vary, with some debates existing over the inclusion of social sciences, such as psychology and sociology.
The approach towards categorizing disciplines within STEM can differ by country; for instance, the United States often considers social sciences as a part of STEM, while the United Kingdom distinctively separates these subjects, aligning them with the arts and humanities under different acronyms such as HASS or SHAPE.
Tracing back the term's origins, "STEM" became prominent in the 1990s, supplanting the earlier acronym "SMET." Notable figures like Charles E. Vela, through initiatives such as the CAHSEE, greatly influenced the adoption of this term by founding educational programs designed to support the advancement of minority students in these fields. Moreover, programs like the STEM Institute garnered recognition, further cementing the significance of STEM in educational and policy circles.