Harman Kaur

Background

About Harman Kaur

I am a first-generation immigrant pre-med student. When I was 16 years old, my family moved from Punjab, India to California. My parents brought us to the land of opportunities to pursue our own version of the American dream. In the beginning, I was facing cultural shock because there was a change in location, language, and teaching style. I adapted by quickly learning to speak and understand English to both help my parents with translation and to continue to grow in school. During the start of Spring 2016, I was enrolled in Pitman High School in Turlock as a junior. I worked hard and with the support of my teachers, my counselor, and my parent’s prayers was accepted at California State University, Stanislaus. I started as a biological science major and later added psychology and chemistry as minors. My major and double minor grew from my fascination to understand how the human body and works. During the May 2022, I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. At Stan, I was actively involved in helping the Central Valley communities in multiple ways. To start, I had been an active member of Stanislaus State’s STEM Ambassadors program since 2018. As a STEM Ambassadors member, I have developed leadership skills by leading classroom activities for the Junior Scientists, Science Saturday, and Science Day. I created science activities for middle school and high school students. For example: learning about different components of human cells, rock identification, and creating herbarium specimens. I have dedicated my time and energy towards helping students better understand the science behind various projects. This program has provided the opportunity to transfer my intellectual learning from the classroom to the young scientists in our community. A community that is traditionally underrepresented and underserved. As president of the Jakara Movement Chapter at Stanislaus State, I have found ways to help support the homeless in our community. Part of the mission of the Jakara Movement Chapter is to help disenfranchised communities via civic engagement, strategic grassroots mobilization, and awakening based on vichaar (reflection). One of the events we organize is called “Sacha Sauda”. During this event members cook food at the local sikh temple which is then served to the homeless community. The first time I was involved in these events I was moved. I felt grateful for what I had and empathic towards this community that society overlooks.