InspirationMay 2024
Doctorate at 17 in integrated behavioral health
Homeschooled early on, Dorothy Jean Tillman II entered college at age 10, earned a master's degree at 15, and was accepted into Arizona State University's doctoral program. She defended her dissertation in December 2023 at 17 — the youngest person in the university's history to earn this doctorate — and walked at commencement in May 2024.
Read on ABC News →
InspirationJuly 2026
Four Nigerian gold medals at the International STEM Olympiad
In Rome, competing against students from more than 150 countries, three Nigerian pupils won four gold medals at the grand finale of the 2026 International STEM Olympiad. Egejurum Onyedikachi, 11, was crowned the world's best in primary-level mathematics, and Don Munachimso, 17, the world's best in science.
Read on BusinessDay →
InspirationSpring 2025
International Chess Master at 14
Having arrived in the U.S. as a refugee and lived in a homeless shelter in New York, Tanitoluwa "Tani" Adewumi learned chess at school. After becoming the youngest U.S. National Chess Master at age 10, he earned the FIDE International Master title at 14.
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InspirationMay 2023
Graduates at 13 with degrees in computer science and cybersecurity
Elijah Muhammad earned his degrees in computer science and cybersecurity from Oklahoma City Community College at just 13, already holding ten IBM certifications. He is now pursuing a bachelor's degree at Oklahoma State University.
Read on Good Morning America →
InspirationMay 2026
Youngest graduate of her class at 19
Born in Nigeria, Faithful Onilede earned her bachelor's degree in computer engineering from Binghamton University in May 2026, becoming the school's youngest graduate this year — completed in under three years thanks to high school credits.
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InspirationMay 2026
Youngest education PhD graduate at the University of Houston
After a bachelor's in psychology at 17 and a master's in education at 18, Salenah Cartier completed her doctorate in education in May 2026, becoming the youngest person to earn a PhD at the university in nearly 20 years.
Read on ABC13 Houston →