After Undergoing Brain Surgery, Tijuani Theresa Phelps Jackson Earned A Doctorate At 70 Years Old

Dr. Tijuani Theresa Phelps Jackson has reached a historic first in her family.

Ph.D. Journey

In 2022, Dr. Phelps Jackson, a former K-8 school counselor, decided to enroll in a Ph.D. program in community engagement and leadership, according to Black News. In a LinkedIn post, she said the decision was never about credentials, but instead about evidence, legacy, and proof of what’s possible.

Her research focused on community engagement and transformation. In particular, she examined the impact of travel on Black girls and women in the U.S., and considered how “early exposure influences career satisfaction, income satisfaction, and long-term opportunity,” according to her post on LinkedIn.

“Through a national quantitative study of 100 Black women, the research demonstrated that early exposure—particularly through travel—correlates with improved life outcomes, increased confidence, and expanded opportunity structures in adulthood. Most importantly, participants unanimously affirmed that exposure matters and that what children experience early has a measurable impact on who they become later,” she explains, per her LinkedIn page.

Overcoming Adversity

Two years into her studies, Jackson was tested. She underwent brain surgery, according to Shine My Crown. Yet, this did not hinder her from continuing her education, even after divorcing her husband of 33 years.

“Adversity will cause some people to break,” Jackson said, according to Black News. “But for others, it becomes the very thing that reveals who they were always meant to be.”

Making History

Dr. Phelps Jackson earned her Ph.D. in April 2025 at age 70, according to Black News. She became the first in her family to graduate from college and the first family member to earn a doctorate. She celebrated the moment with her 91-year-old father, notes the outlet.

“Age doesn’t stop destiny. Quit deciding that it does. At 70, finishing strong isn’t impressive because of age, it’s impressive because of commitment. You don’t run out of time. You run out of belief,” she said in a separate LinkedIn post.