Undergrad earns MLK Spirit Award for leadership and commitment to social justice

February 1, 2021

Computer Engineering junior Himaja Motheram is heavily involved in campus organizations, including as Advocacy Officer for both Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Society of Women Engineers.

Himaja Motheram headshot Enlarge

For “exemplifying the leadership and vision of Dr. King,” Computer Engineering junior Himaja Motheram was honored as part of U-M’s annual MLK symposium with an MLK Spirit Award.

The MLK Spirit Awards are given annually to recognize members of U-M’s community “who exemplify the leadership and vision of Dr. King through their commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Recipients include students, student organizations, staff, and faculty members.

Motheram specializes in autonomous robotics, with a Sweetland Minor in Writing. What drew her to this combination was her zeal for bringing both code and words to life as a way to connect with others. On campus she’s involved in the community as the Advocacy Officer of both Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Society of Women Engineers, a Team Captain for Do Random Acts of Kindness, and a student developer for CLAWS (Collaborative Lab for Advancing Work in Space). After graduation she wants to work with robotics and embedded systems to solve problems in cybersecurity.