GARY — When Khaya Njumbe walks across the stage and receives his bachelor's degree from Indiana University Northwest on Wednesday, he'll do so before being able to get his driver's license.
At just 15 years old, Njumbe will become the youngest known person to receive a four-year degree in the state of Indiana, according to the university.
The soft-spoken teenager has seemingly always enjoyed learning. Around the age of 3, he began to teach himself how to play the piano using a music book owned by his dad. Interested in Chinese, he began to teach himself the language at 6 years old.
In addition, he also learned Zulu and Xhosa — languages native to South Africa — from his parents, who are both immigrants.
Outside of learning new talents and languages, Njumbe also enjoyed participating in martial arts for 10 years and being part of the Jesse White Tumblers.
Njumbe bounced around a couple of schools — and skipped a few grade levels — before ending up at 21st Century Charter School as an 11-year-old freshman student.
At the charter school, located in Gary, he was enrolled in dual-credit courses.
Njumbe then made history in late 2022, becoming the youngest known individual to earn an associate degree in the Hoosier State, receiving three different degrees in biology, liberal arts and general studies from Ivy Tech Community College.
While still enrolled at 21st Century, he transferred to IUN to pursue a four-year degree. Njumbe originally wanted to major in biology, but since he wanted to take Chinese courses, he opted for a general studies degree.
Throughout the past year and a half, he's taken classes in a range of subjects, including art, science and sociology.
One course Njumbe took was a history class on race and ethnic relations taught by Jack Bloom.
Bloom commended the quality of work Njumbe provided and admitted that he did give tougher feedback on his work, with Bloom saying he felt Njumbe does pay attention to critiques and learns from it.
However, Bloom ultimately stated that Njumbe was just a regular student who did his job well.
"He participated, he did the readings, he talked, he did what others did," Bloom said.
Njumbe expressed not feeling extraordinary about earning his bachelor's degree at a young age, attributing the accomplishment to hard work.
"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time," Njumbe said.
Being a first-generation student to immigrant parents, Njumbe said his parents wanted him to receive a good education. While they were strict, he said they didn't have to push hard because he also wanted to do well in school.
"I want to show everybody that I'm doing good for the family," he said.
Njumbe is now looking into graduate school programs as he looks to pursue a master's degree in public health.
He said he wants to go to medical school, however, Njumbe will have to wait until he turns 18 in order to apply.
Eventually, Njumbe said he would like to become an orthopedic surgeon.
In the meantime, he'll be taking part in his high school graduation ceremony on May 23.
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