HARTFORD, Conn. — A 12-year-old University of Hartford student currently working to get his bachelor's degree is determined to get his PhD by the age of 18.
For some people this could be daunting, but UHart student Nigel Morgan said he fits right in.
“I want to be a chemist; I want to help children in the world,” Morgan said. “For example, creating medicines to cure diseases.”
Morgan said his creativity and curiosity led him to choose chemistry as his major.
With taking on 14 credits including pre-calculus and first-year seminar, he has perfected his time management skills.
“It helps to keep track of assignments and set times to finish them before the due date so you know that you already have it finished and it’s not stressing you later,” Morgan said.
His parents, Kayon and Lee Morgan, knew he was gifted from a young age. Nigel Morgan has an older brother, Xander, who also goes to UHart and is 15 years old.
Kayon Morgan said UHart wanted to support her boys, which is why they enrolled.
“They looked at all their credentials and they went through the process, they got admitted and they’re here,” she said. "It’s all because of institutions understanding where the students are, giving them the challenge that they need and giving them the opportunity to excel.”
Nigel Morgan said attending college at a young age has shown him a lot.
“The response is always varied,” he said. “Sometimes its supportive and happy. Sometimes it’s a little bit jealous but it’s important to embrace and realize that there are those supportive responses and not focus on the negative.”
The boys' parents knew they were gifted at a young age and made sure they were always supported.
“It’s very important to advocate on behalf of black boys,” Kayon Morgan said. “Black boys in the education system get lost and unfortunately are usually channeled in the school to prison pipeline.”
She and her husband, Lee Morgan, knew early on that they needed to advocate on their son’s behalf for them to be recognized for their achievements in school and other areas in their life.
Attending college at an early age gives the Morgan boys the challenge they need.
“They are happier, there’s light in their eyes because they are doing work they are interested in, that they're excited about and it's at a level to challenge them and keep them engaged,” Kayon Morgan said.
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