Known as a “capable and emphatic leader” with innovative ideas, firm dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and great compassion, Nina is well-equipped to become a powerful agent of change.

Nina Makhlouf is a proud first-generation Algerian-American using her engineering skills to help her community. Nina is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, where she is a highly active community member. Nina serves as the President for the Society of Women Engineers and has previously held the Strategic Planning Director position, planned the Women in Leadership Conference and an Alternative Spring Break Trip. Nina is also the chair for Advocates for Diversity in Engineering, where she works to improve DEI within the College of Engineering. Nina is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of her life.

Nina is pursuing research in disability design, motivated in part by the experiences of a family member with cerebral palsy. She has participated in the Daly Design and Engineering Education research group throughout her entire undergraduate degree. Last year, Nina participated in RISE 490, where she was able to share her research with the greater Mechanical Engineering community by writing a conference research paper and doing a presentation on her research findings. Nina was awarded the Best Paper Award for work on Investigating Design Students’ Consideration of People During Concept Generation. This experience has shown Nina her passion for research and helping people.

Nina intends to go on to earn her Master’s degree in Systems Engineering and Design and work within Systems Engineering. She hopes to work in the Aerospace Industry, helping to lift people up and advance technologies. Known already as a “capable and emphatic leader” with innovative ideas, firm dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and great compassion, Nina is well-equipped to become a powerful agent of change.

CEW+ is inspired by Nina’s leadership and commitment and names her an Irma M. Wyman Scholar.