Meet Shania Muhammad, a 14-year-old African American student from Oklahoma who has graduated with two associate degrees from both Oklahoma City Community College and Langston University, making history as the youngest graduate known from both colleges.
Shania has always been an achiever in school, even receiving an ACT score of 22. During the pandemic, she even started attending her parents’ homeschooling program.
Since then, Shania has become more driven to reach more academic achievements, especially looking beyond the middle school curriculum.
“Don’t let your age be the ceiling to your potential and I really want to push that. You cannot let that be a barrier to your life. It’s like I was in the seventh grade and the whole time I was on the collegiate level I just didn’t know it,” Shania told News 9.
At the age of 13, she started her studies at Oklahoma City Community College. She also went to the University of Oklahoma but decided to quit after one semester to instead attend Langston University to follow in her parents’ footsteps and for the HBCU experience.
“It was exciting for me… it seemed like I just kind of swooped in and fit right in with everybody,” Shania said about attending college at a young age, according to The Oklahoman.
After about a year of completing her credit hours, Shania received an associate degree in diversified studies from OCCC and an associate degree in general studies from Langston University, with Summa Cum Laude distinction.
Shania credits her parents for her achievements, not only for their influence and encouragement but also for the intelligence that comes with the genes. Shania’s father Elijah Muhammad shared that their family so far has “over 150 medals, over 50 trophies” and more.
Shania’s brother is also following in her footsteps and became the youngest student to enroll at Oklahoma City Community College at the age of 12. He plans to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
Meanwhile, Shania plans to continue her education at Langston University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in family consumer science and a minor in plant soil science. She is also hoping to soon release her book “Read, Write, Listen,” wherein she shared about her college journey.
