Oklahoma Teenage College Graduates

13-year-old Elijah Muhammad recently graduated from Oklahoma City Community College with an associate degree in cyber security. 

"Well, everything that we use is kind of tech. I really want to learn how it works so I can eventually own my own business or probably invent new tech,” says Muhammad, Jr.

His young age came as a surprise to his classmates. The enrollment rate for students under 15 is less than 1 percent.

“They thought I was playing around at first so when I went and started talking- most people don't really talk in class and sit in the back, but I actually sit in the front of the class and ask questions and they were really surprised. They were like oh he's really in this class," says Muhammad Jr.

Muhammad's father, Elijah Muhammad Sr., says he wanted his three sons to be more than just another statistic. So, giving them access to a well-rounded education was important.

"Just to know that we are breaking generational curses and changing the narrative and that's what we're out to do,” says Muhammad Sr.

Black men have one of the lowest college graduation rates at 40%  

“In the black community as far as I know we highlight high school graduations because not many graduate from college. So, to be one of the few that actually did cross the college stage it’s an honor you know especially to do it with my younger brother,” says older brother Elijah Muhammad, Jr.

The youngest Muhammad is following in the footsteps of his older sister Shania Muhammad, who obtained her first two degrees last year at the age of 14.

"Well she was the first person that I know who went to college so early and once she was in college she would always like talk to me about it and say like I know your smart so you can do it as well. She was like you just got to find something that you’re interested in,” says Muhammad Jr.

Shania was a dual enrollment student at Oklahoma City Community College and Langston University. She received an associate in diversified studies from OCCC and an associate's degree in general studies from Langston.

“So, all my stuff was online due to covid. That's when covid was really big but I really did have an amazing experience at occ, especially the professors I met and the connections I got to have with classmates even if we never really got to meet each other,” says Shania Muhammad.

This year Shania made headlines once again by becoming the youngest graduate of Langston University. She graduated Summa Cume Laude with a bachelor's in family consumer science.

“So 2021 I was actually at Langston on campus all of my classes were in person and it was a shocker for me cause at the time although I knew I was fourteen everyone else didn't. And that wasn't anything I was pushing. They were like don't go out there and say you're 14 just yet because we want to make sure that you're not being treated biased,” says Shania Muhammad.  

Elijah Muhammad Sr says academics have always been a number one priority for the family. 

“Even though they attended public schools we were still doing our hybrid program on the weekends, after school, and during the summer because I wanted them to maintain that edge. It’s just like sports. If you check out the top athlete, they do personal training, you know they're in the gym a little bit more. It's the same concept that I apply,” says Muhammad Sr.

“I went to public school from pre-k to 7th grade so I was you know, doing traditional schooling. I knew I was smart- I was always on top of my classes and passed all the tests with ease and stuff but I never really tapped into it,” says Shania Muhammad.

That was until Shania began homeschooling under her father's program “One Collegiate Prep Academy" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“So, my dad has his own program that accelerates you through test scores and it focuses on the ACT so when I was 12, I took the ACT and I did really well on it so my dad was like well I know he's going to be prepared for college soon,” says Muhammad Jr.

“My dad really started seeing more of my abilities and capabilities he was like oh no you're ready for more you just haven't been in the space to where you were able to do more,” says Shania Muhammad.

Shania proudly walked the stage with her mother and two older siblings Rashay and Elijah Muhammad at Langston University's commencement ceremony.

“it's just an exciting moment a monumental moment to graduate with my sister and brother and for my mom to work at the university and become a doctor like it was just phenomenal,” says Rashay Muhammad

Having made history of their own Shania and Elijah hope to inspire other young students.

“Anything you set your mind to you can do it as long as you put in the work that it needs to be completed,” says Muhammad Jr.

“Being able to show others that success has no age limit is pretty dope,” says Shania Muhammad.

So, what lies ahead for these two scholars?  Elijah is enrolled at Oklahoma State University and is pursuing a bachelor's degree in cyber security and forensics and Shania is already enrolled in a master's program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

“I will be publishing my book "Read Write Listen: 13 in College How I Did It" I will be releasing that on my sweet 16th which is July 23rd, 2023 and I am the CEO of Smart Girl clothing so I will also be pushing my clothing line,” says Shania Muhammad.

Even though Shania and Elijah are focused on academic success, they're like every other teenager. The Muhammads say they enjoy free time by playing video games, sports, and skating.