How this 14-year-old graduated with two associate degrees from two Oklahoma colleges

Most can't say their graduation from college made history, but one Oklahoma City 14-year-old can with certainty.

Shania Muhammad graduated this month with associate degrees from both Langston University, with Summa Cum Laude distinction, and Oklahoma City Community College. She is the youngest student to ever graduate from OCCC, and as far as modern-day Langston records show, she is its youngest graduate, as well.

With more than 70 completed credit hours, Shania has an associate in diversified studies from OCCC and an associate in general studies from Langston.

Her graduation from Langston was made more memorable by her own mother, Langston associate professor Atashia Muhammad, handing her her diploma.

"It was a special moment," Shania recalled.

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Shania said the key to accomplishing anything is having confidence in yourself.

"It doesn't matter what anyone's saying, as long as you believe you can do it, it's possible," she said.

Shania Muhammad's journey from public school to homeschool to college at just 13

Elijah Muhammad, Shania's father, said his youngest daughter always excelled in school.

In the Muhammad household, education was not left up to the children's teachers, he said.

"It was always a collaborative thing," Muhammad said. "I always encouraged my kids to work ahead."

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When school went online in 2020 due to the pandemic, Muhammad decided to fully embrace it and officially began homeschooling for Shania. She was in the seventh grade, but quickly accelerated to high school level curriculum.

Once Shania received an ACT score of 22 — above the national class of 2020 average ACT score of 20.6 — Muhammad said he knew his daughter was ready for college classes.

"If you don't have a practice ACT score or an official ACT score, don't even think about putting them in college, especially if they're young," Muhammad said.

Shania's younger brother, Elijah, is following in her footsteps and is now the youngest student to enroll at Oklahoma City Community College at 12 years old. He made a 20 on his practice ACT exam and will start classes in the fall.

Muhammad said he wants other parents to know it's possible to start college at a young age, but also to know that college isn't for everyone.

"You've got to find the greatness within your child, it's not about comparing them to anyone else," Muhammad said.

College has been An 'exciting' journey for Shania

While there have been some critics of her early collegiate career, Shania said she does not feel like she's missing out on her childhood.

She still hangs out with friends her own age and said she hopes people realize from her story that societal norms don't have to apply to everyone.

"You don't have to go through all 12 grades to be at a collegiate level," Shania said.

And while her professors and fellow students were surprised when they found out her age, she said it didn't deter her or them from realizing her potential to succeed.

"It was exciting for me … it seemed like I just kind of swooped in and fit right in with everybody," Shania said.

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What's next for the 14-year-old college graduate

Shania plans to continue her collegiate studies at Langston, hoping for a bachelor's degree in family consumer science. She also hopes to soon release her book "Read, Write, Listen," which details her college journey at such a young age.

Shania's variety of interests and skills include entrepreneurship, having recently launched her own clothing line entitled Smart Girl.

Shania's advice for others?

"Be confident in what you believe you can do and never limit yourself," she said.

To know more

Updates on Shania's book, clothing line and continued history-making can be found on her Instagram account, @shaniashakura. 

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 14-year-old OKC girl graduates from OCCC and Langston University