Nathan Thomas has etched his name into the record books after becoming the youngest professor ever at the age of 18, taking over a record that had stood for more than three centuries.
According to an article published recently by the Guinness World Records (GWR), the American educator achieved the milestone when he returned to Miami Dade College as a lecturer at 18 years and 346 days old to teach COP 2270: C for Engineers in August 2023. His achievement ended the 306-year record previously held by Colin Maclaurin, who became a professor at 19.
Nathan was also 16 days younger than Alia Sabur when she became the world’s youngest female professor in 2008 at 18 years and 362 days.
Despite teaching students who were mostly around his own age, Nathan confidently handled computing and programming classes, covering topics he had mastered years earlier.
His journey into higher education began unusually early. He enrolled at Miami Dade College at just 10 years old before transferring to Florida International University at 14. By the age of 18, he had already earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering with honours.
“Once you’re in that setting, everyone’s there for the same reason, which is to learn,” Nathan told GWR. “Age doesn’t really factor into that.
“I just focus on trying to do my job well and helping students in whatever way I can. If someone’s willing to put in the effort, that’s really all that matters to me.”
Credit: Tribune
