Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II, DBH, is an award-winning child prodigy, tech and arts enthusiast, and community leader. In 2023, at the age of 17, she successfully defended her dissertation to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health (DBH) from Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions.

 

Dr. Tillman is the founder and CEO of the Dorothyjeanius STEAM Leadership Institute, having launched Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Labs in Chicago and West Capetown, South Africa, in 2020. She publishes STEAM children's books and speaks on topics aimed at inspiring youth to take steps to save the planet. In 2022, Dr. Tillman was given the title and name of Ankobea Amma Akuffo by His Royal Majesty Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, the Omanhene of Akuapem, in an investiture ceremony held at the Palace of the Okuapehene in Ghana, where she serves as an official advisor on STEAM education and programs for youth.

Dr. Tillman’s friends and family call her "Dorothy Jeanius," or “DJ”, and her motto is "Leading by Examples of Excellence." At the age of 10, she enrolled as a college freshman at the College of Lake County, majoring in psychology, where she completed her associate degree in August of 2016. Following this milestone achievement, Dr. Tillman went on an accelerated path of academics and enrolled in classes at Stanford University Continuing Studies, Brigham Young University Distance Learning and ultimately completed her Bachelor of Science in humanities at Excelsior College in the summer of 2018. In the spring of 2020 Dr. Tillman reached another milestone by completing her Master of Science from Unity College in Unity, Maine, making her the youngest environmental and sustainable scientist in the country.

 

In 2021, at the age of 15, Dr. Tillman was accepted into the Doctor of Behavioral Health (Management) Program offered through the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University. Her doctoral research focused on the impact of implementing an outreach and education program aimed at reducing the stigma associated with using campus mental health services among college-aged students.

 

Dr. Tillman has been recognized with numerous honors, awards and recognitions, including: a feature in the 2023 Women’s Empowerment Issue of the Waymaker Journal, The Black Women’s Expo - Chicago 2022 Phenomenal Woman Award, Diversity in Action magazine’s 2022 20 Under 20 list of Next Gen STEAM leaders, the Black Enterprise 40 Under 40 - Tech (and panelist at the 40 Under 40 Virtual Summit), the 2021 WVON 40 Under 40 Gamechangers, the 2019 Young Shining Star Award from the National Association of Black Elected Legislative Women; the 2019 Excelon African American Resource Alliance Achievement Award; and the 2018 Black Girls Rock - Who Rocks Next Award. 

 

Dr. Tillman is an alumnus of the Golden Eagle Aviation Legacy Flight Academy based in Tuskegee, Ala., at Moten Field, home of the Tuskegee Airmen. DJ was recently selected to participate in Chicago's Future Founders program, created by Brad Keywell, CEO of Groupon. She enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with friends and family.