West Muhammad has achieved a milestone as Coppin State University’s youngest freshman at just 14. Known for his early academic achievements, Muhammad started reading at three and entered first grade at four, consistently excelling and often finding himself the youngest in his classes. Reflecting on his school experiences, Muhammad shared, “I was the youngest out of my friend groups, and sometimes, the shortest, they would say.”
After graduating high school early, Muhammad is now pursuing a major in cybersecurity engineering at Coppin State, an HBCU his mother also attended. This shared connection makes his journey even more meaningful, and his mother proudly notes, “Him being 14 in college – it’s like, normal for him.” Every day, she drives him 15 minutes to campus, supporting his adjustment to college life. Initially, Muhammad felt nervous about standing out due to his age, as people often asked, “How did you get here?” However, he’s settling into the unique experience.
Attending an HBCU has been particularly inspiring for Muhammad, who appreciates being among motivated Black students striving to become professionals. “It’s great to be in an environment where I see other young people... trying to apply themselves to be something better,” he shared.
Muhammad’s dedication has been recognized with the prestigious Fanny Jackson Coppin Scholarship, covering his tuition for four years and providing additional funds for books. Out of 600 applicants, he was one of only 31 to receive this honor, a testament to his hard work and ambition. As he embarks on his collegiate journey, Muhammad is eager to make the most of his time in college, aiming to start his own business and inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles.
Reflecting on his journey, Muhammad believes his experience shows others what’s possible: “My experience with school is just showing that those things that we may deem impossible or too hard... are indeed possible.”
Link: BecauseOfThemWeCan
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