Youngest Ever US Professor was Homeschooled

Homeschooled young adult becomes university professor aged 20

Hannah Harding has become the youngest ever professor at Auburn-Montgomery University (Alabama, USA). She received her bachelor's degree at the age of 17. Then, after a couple years at graduate school, she came back as an adjunct professor aged 20. She's now 21 years old.

She says her first day back was almost surreal, all the way down to the smell in the air. "It was really funny that first day because that smell came back to me," Harding said. "I thought, 'I'm supposed to be afraid of that smell, But this is exciting!'" While living in California, Harding took a graduation proficiency exam and passed it at the age of 13. Four years later, she was AUM's youngest graduate ever.

But don't call her a genius. She says her accomplishments are not simply genetic. She also credits her parents, her faith, and a triumph over a fear of the unknown. "Once I got over that and realized I didn't have anything to be afraid of, just because it hasn't been done before or done like this, doesn't mean it isn't possible," she explained. So what's next for this over achiever? Harding says she has applied to NASA, where she hopes to become an astronaut. Meanwhile, she is studying for a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering.

But for now she's content in the classroom, teaching students who are often older than her. "The biggest lie we tell ourselves is 'I can't do it,'" Harding said she learned from her parents. "Now as a teacher, I see it on the other end and I'm the one who gets to be encouraging." Harding is one of nine children. And she seems to have inspired two of her siblings. Serennah Harding is a college senior at age 16 and her brother, Heath, is a freshman at age 12. Both attend classes at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, USA. See the link below in blue to see the family website.

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