Phung Hieu Diep, who goes by Hieu, graduated with a mathematics degree from Evergreen Valley College (EVC) in California last week.
Phung Hieu Diep at the Evergreen Valley College in California, U.S. Photo from the school’s Facebook page |
Hieu’s accelerated academic journey began in the third grade. Realizing he was ready for more advanced material than standard multiplication tables, he asked his father to let him try harder classes.
He started with a pre-calculus course at Berkeley City College and quickly progressed. By age 10, Hieu had left middle school to attend college full-time, according to broadcaster ABC7 News.
Because of his young age and enrollment limits at individual institutions, he had to take classes at six different colleges to piece together a full-time schedule.
Speaking about his study methods, Hieu told the news station that when he struggled with a concept, he would “work really hard on it, ask questions and try to learn from mistakes.”
As for the future, Hieu hopes to attend the University of California, Berkeley, followed by medical school.
Eventually, he wants to become an infectious disease physician, a goal he said was inspired by “my experience in outbreaks in catfish aquaculture from my research presentation,” as reported by ABC7 News.
His research focuses on harmful bacteria. After overhearing farmers discuss fish disease outbreaks, Hieu became interested in finding solutions to help them. The study is set to be published in a scientific journal, and he will present his findings in Washington, D.C., next month.
In a May 21 social media post, Evergreen Valley College praised the young scholar.
“Phung-Hieu Diep is an incredible EVC graduate,” the college wrote.
“At 12 years old, he is earning a transfer degree in mathematics and will walk with the rest of the Class of 2026 … He is also one of our valedictorians and plans to start another degree at EVC next year.”
“To earn a mathematics degree is a great accomplishment in itself. To do it at 12 years old is truly amazing,” EVC President Dr. Vinicio J. López said in a statement to PEOPLE magazine.
“What stands out to me is his wide variety of interests, while also making time to remain a preteen and play video games with his friends and have adult conversations with his EVC classmates.”
Also speaking to the magazine, Dr. Alessandro Bailetti Saez, a biology instructor at the college, said: “Hieu had a natural thirst for knowledge, not for the grade. He would ask me what he got wrong on a quiz, despite already getting an A.”
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