Major: Biology
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
High School: Crispus Attucks High School
Mutanda chose IU Indianapolis for its strong academic programs, student organizations, internship opportunities, and proximity to home. To her, being a Bepko Scholar means committing to leadership, service, and academic excellence with purpose and integrity.
A social issue Mutanda is most passionate about is global healthcare access for underprivileged communities. She works toward this goal through volunteering, public health education, and supporting global initiatives. In high school, she volunteered at the Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe, assisting with patient check-ins, collecting medical histories, and leading sessions on nutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention. She also organized UNHCR-supported efforts to distribute hygiene kits, water, and food, and provided Shona-Swahili and English-Swahili translation to improve communication between refugees and healthcare staff.
In her free time, Mutanda enjoys reading, dancing, solving puzzles, painting, and crocheting. An aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon, she has earned her CNA and CCMA certifications and conducted breast cancer research at the IU School of Medicine for three summers, with results set to be published.