16-Year-Old Black Girl to Graduate From University of Alabama

Nationwide — At only 16 years old, LeAnna Roberts is set to graduate summa cum laude from the University of Alabama, earning her bachelor’s degree in Biology.

LeAnna, who is from Tuscaloosa, graduated from both high school and community college when she was just 14 years old. In that same year, she enrolled at the University of Alabama to get on her pre-med track.

Aside from excelling in her studies as a college student at a young age, LeAnna is also very much involved in her community.

“I’m in the Society of Women in Medicine as an executive board, Vision Days ambassador, as well as a mentor. I also perform research in health disparities with Black-built communities,” LeAnna told Local12 News.

Her parents, Lee and Latonya Roberts, are very proud of their daughter’s achievement.

“I was always excited to hear about her day,” Latonya said. “Every day was unique, even though certain days were more challenging than others, but she always saw the bright side every day.”

But they admit they had a few concerns at first since LeAnna would be joining classes full of students that are older than her.

“I wanted to make sure it was going to be a safe environment for her and we wouldn’t have to worry,” Lee said.

With the support of the school’s administration, LeAnna breezed through her studies without letting her young age put limitations on her.

“The name of the game has definitely been balance,” LeAnna said. “Balancing extracurricular activities as well as remaining vigilant in the classroom has helped me succeed so far.”

Within just 2 years, LeAnna will be graduating with over a dozen honors. She is going to continue studying at the University of Alabama, where she also started taking graduate-level courses to earn her MBA degree with a focus on health care by next year. She is also currently preparing to take the MCAT, with the hopes of practicing orthopedics.

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