15-year-old makes waves as the youngest graduate to earn a bachelor’s degree at HBCU Langston

Shania Muhammad has set another record as the youngest graduate to earn a bachelor’s degree from Langston University, Oklahoma’s only HBCU at age 15.

Aside from gaining a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences-Child Development with the highest honor, the young graduate also swept The Outstanding Graduate Senior Award for The Family Consumer Science Department.

Shania commenced her studies at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) when she turned 13. She also went to the University of Oklahoma but quit after a semester to attend Langston University instead, in a bid to follow the legacy of her parents and to gain experience in an HBCU institution.

Last year, she bagged two associate degrees from both Oklahoma City Community College and Langston University, earning her the title of the youngest graduate from both institutions.

Shania’s siblings, Elijah and Rashay also graduated on the same day as her with honors. She told KFOR, “Being able to walk the stage with my brother and sister [was] so amazing, was so surreal.”

Her mother, Atashia Muhammad who is an associate professor at the University was also on stage to grant her first degree.

According to The Black Wall Street Times, Shania is making attempts at entrepreneurship and is working on a book tour as well as a clothing line. 

The pacesetter has completed several courses on her way to completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing. She also talks of her plans to acquire a doctoral degree.

Shania noted that although people may only see her as the brainy teen, she still revels in the little joys of life like skating, hanging out with her dad, and just enjoying nature. She says that college is “just a part of who I am. My foundation is Shania.”

During an interview, her Father revealed that none of his five children are like her. He said “They all do different things and I never wanted them to feel the pressure of having to conform to a preset mold. [My wife and I] wanted them to discover the greatness within them and focus on harvesting their intelligence.”

The 15-year-old attributed her current successes to her parents, adding that they taught her how important it was to be analytical, creative, and critical. The Muhammad family is well known for their educational feats.  

Shania said, “I wasn’t always this person. I’ve always been smart but I didn’t know how to tap into [success].  When you walk into our home and you wake up to [this environment] every day it just reminds you of what you’re really capable of [and] there’s no doubt,” KFOR reported.