Our Bureau
Long Beach, CA
Indian American community leader Raji Brar has been appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees, a powerful leadership post at America’s largest system of public higher education. Brar’s story of accomplishment is a tale of motivation.
Brar’s parents came to US in mid 1970s, raising their children in Central Valley farm labor camps. She was constantly reminded by her parents to value education as they worked extremely hard to meet the ends.
Brar attended CSUB because it was close to home, affordable and accessible. Owner and COO of Countryside Corporation since 2003, Brar also holds many leadership positions in Kern County and is co-founder of the Bakersfield Sikh Women’s Association. She served on the Arvin City Council from 2006 to 2008. Brar was executive assistant at Clinica Sierra Vista from 2002 to 2003, and a chemist at BC Laboratories from 2000 to 2002.
“There is a light inside Raji that she shares with our entire community through her many acts of kindness and tireless commitment to public service,” CSUB President Lynnette Zelezny said. “She will bring a unique perspective to the Board of Trustees, and this Valley that we love, will be well-represented through her voice. This is a proud moment for the Roadrunner family and our region.”
Brar is also a member of the Kern County Hospital Authority Board, Kern High School District Education Foundation Board, KERO Channel 23 Community Advisory Board and the Advisory Board of Kern Venture Group.
“The CSU is so special because your professors get to know you,” she said. “They help open doors for you and mentor you at a level that you can’t get at a UC. Many folks that do end up going to a CSU need a mentor, and I was blessed to get that at CSUB. I felt so confident after having a degree and a master’s, and there’s a gazillion stories like mine, of student who have obstacles to overcome.”
