75-Year-Old Chicago Woman Earns Doctorate from DePaul University
Deniece Rogers, a 75-year-old resident of Chicago's Near North Side, has earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from DePaul University’s College of Education in June. Rogers' academic journey is notable as she never began high school, earning her GED in 1976. She started her higher education in her 50s, obtaining a bachelor's degree in social justice administration in 2012 and a master's in adult education in 2015. Her pursuit of a doctorate faced several interruptions due to health concerns, including stomach infections, back surgery, and mini-strokes. Despite these challenges, she persevered with the guidance of her former professor, Ruth Gannon Cook, and independent researcher Edwin Gentry. Her dissertation focused on 'The Underrepresentation of Black American Contributions to American Society in K-12 Curricula Affects Black Students’ Self-Perception and Identity,' a topic inspired by her own educational experiences.