The Sikh Coalition is thrilled to announce the appointment of Manpreet Kaur as the new Education Director, starting in May 2025. In her new role, Kaur will spearhead efforts aimed at transforming Sikh awareness and ensuring a more inclusive and safe environment for students across the country.
Her responsibilities will include advocating for the inclusion of Sikhi in state educational standards and curricula nationwide, creating teaching materials that accurately portray Sikhism, and organizing professional development programs for educators. Additionally, she will engage Sikh families and students to actively contribute to these efforts and more.
Originally from Bakersfield, California, Kaur has a deep connection to her community. After attending local public schools, she earned a Bachelor of Political Science with a minor in Law and Society from UC San Diego. She also holds two master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison—one in public affairs and another in urban and regional planning.
In 2016, Kaur founded the Kern County chapter of the Jakara Movement, a youth leadership organization focused on addressing the challenges of the Punjabi Sikh community in California’s Central Valley. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to 70 high school clubs and 25 collegiate chapters across 15 counties.
In 2022, Kaur made history by becoming the first Sikh Punjabi woman elected to the Bakersfield City Council, where she currently holds the position of vice mayor. Outside of her professional life, she is passionate about redesigning urban spaces to reflect principles of equity and fairness.
