12-year-old math prodigy to graduate valedictorian

Phung-Hieu Diep graduated from Evergreen Valley College in San Jose on Friday, May 22, as a 12-year-old valedictorian with an associate degree in mathematics. Evergreen Valley College listed its 2026 commencement for 6 p.m. Friday on the school’s soccer field. ABC7, citing interviews with Diep, reported he finished with a 4.0 GPA and completed college years ahead of schedule. Diep told the station the experience had been “amazing.” ### How young was he when he started taking college classes? Diep said his acceleration began in third grade, when he realized he was ready for math beyond the level being taught in school. He told ABC7 he was already able to do pre-algebra and asked his father to let him enroll in harder classes. Berkeley Community College was where he first took a pre-calculus class, according to ABC7’s report. By age 10, the station said, he had left middle school and begun attending college full time. ### Why did he attend more than one community college? ABC7 reported Diep had to enroll across six different community colleges to build a full-time course load because of limits tied to his age. The arrangement let him continue taking advanced classes while remaining in the California community college system. Evergreen Valley College was the school from which he graduated on May 22, according to the college’s commencement page and ABC7’s report. The school’s website said the ceremony for the class of 2026 was scheduled for Friday evening in San Jose. ### What did he study, and how did he finish? The associate degree Diep earned was in mathematics, ABC7 reported. The station said he completed the program with a perfect 4.0 GPA and valedictorian honors. “When I don’t understand something, I work really hard on it, ask questions and try to learn from mistakes,” Diep told ABC7. (evc.edu) The comment was part of his description of how he approaches difficult material. ### What research is he already doing at 12? Diep told ABC7 his research focuses on harmful bacteria affecting catfish farms in Vietnam. (actionnewsnow.com) The station said the project grew out of a recent visit to his parents’ home country, where he heard farmers discussing the problem. ABC7 reported the work is set to be published in a scientific journal and that Diep is scheduled to present it in Washington next month. Diep said his interest in infectious disease medicine came from “outbreaks in catfish aquaculture” that he encountered through that research. (actionnewsnow.com) ### What does he want to do after this degree? Diep told ABC7 his immediate goal is to earn another degree. He said he hopes eventually to attend the University of California, Berkeley, and then medical school. “I don’t really know much about schools right now,” he said when asked which medical school he might want to attend, according to ABC7. (actionnewsnow.com) He added that he wants to become an infectious disease physician. ### Is he still living like a 12-year-old? Diep told ABC7 that outside class he still talks with friends on Discord and Google Chat and plays “Minecraft” and “Roblox.” He also said he keeps up with friends from elementary school and attends Taekwondo classes three times a week. (actionnewsnow.com) Washington is his next named stop. ABC7 reported Diep is due to present his catfish-bacteria research there next month as he continues college coursework and works toward a future application to UC Berkeley. (actionnewsnow.com)