Chicago Woman Earned Doctorate Degree at Age 75
A Chicago resident achieved a PhD in educational leadership from DePaul University in June 2026.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Adult Education
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At age 75, Deniece Rogers completed a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership from DePaul University in June 2026. Rogers pursued the advanced degree after overcoming personal health challenges and completing her bachelor's and master's degrees in previous years.
Why it matters
Rogers sought this academic milestone to set a lasting example for her nieces and nephews while researching the representation of Black American contributions in K-12 curricula.
DePaul University reported that 1.5% of its student body was over 50 years old in fall 2025. Rogers, now 75, previously earned her GED in 1976 before completing her bachelor's degree in 2012 and her master's in 2015.
The players
Deniece Rogers
A 75-year-old Chicago resident from Englewood who earned a PhD in educational leadership.
DePaul University
A private Catholic research university in Chicago that awarded the doctorate degree.
Ruth Gannon Cook
A professor based in Denver who provided academic guidance to Rogers during her doctoral program.
Edwin Gentry
A researcher who supported Rogers in the completion of her doctoral studies.
The details
After a long career in a civil service role earning a $40,000 annual salary, Rogers returned to academics despite suffering from stomach infections, back surgery, and mini-strokes. She received specialized guidance from professor Ruth Gannon Cook and researcher Edwin Gentry to complete her studies.
Timeline
1976: Rogers earned her GED.
2012: Rogers earned her bachelor's degree.
2015: Rogers earned her master's degree.
June 2026: Rogers earned her doctorate degree.
Culture Shift
Rogers serves as a prominent outlier to national enrollment data, which indicates that students aged 50 and older remain a distinct minority in university classrooms. This achievement highlights a shift in personal life-long learning goals that often defy standard workforce retirement trajectories.
Rogers proves that higher education remains a viable pursuit for Chicago residents well beyond traditional retirement age. Her journey demonstrates that long-term academic goals can be achieved even after major health setbacks or significant gaps in formal schooling.
The takeaway
Rogers' success reinforces the value of persistent personal growth regardless of age or previous health obstacles. Her story encourages older adults to pursue formal education to fulfill long-standing professional or personal intellectual objectives.
Further reading
Find more stories about continuing education in the Adult Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Oakland Press.
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