Ann Arbor Times

After emigrating to the United States from India with her family at age 9, Anupam Chugh Sidhu (BS94) did not always have the same educational opportunities as other American children. Now, as a member of the EMU Board of Regents, Sidhu strives to ensure that all students have access to the support and encouragement they need to thrive.

“There wasn’t much support for non-native English speakers while I was growing up,” says Sidhu, whose family settled in the Grand Rapids area. “That made learning difficult for me at times."

“Those early experiences inform my work as a Regent. I want all students to have a safe space for learning, a sense of belonging and purpose, and diverse programs that allow them to forge a path toward their purpose and passion.”

Sidhu says Eastern helped her fulfill her own destiny as an educator and advocate for optimal educational environments. While she was a college student, she began tutoring homeless and underserved students through the Education Project for Homeless Youth. Helping others overcome educational challenges similar to her own experiences led Sidhu to earn a degree in mathematics with a minor in science and a secondary teaching certificate.

After graduating, Sidhu taught mathematics within the Cleveland Metropolitan and South Redford school districts. She then earned a master’s degree in instructional technology and became the instructional technology manager for Wayne RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency).

“I’m really grateful for the opportunities I had with Wayne RESA,” says Sidhu, who worked there from 2001-2022. “We established a fellowship program that helped us connect with other statewide educational service agencies. Those connections brought more funding to schools in Wayne County. We also focused on developing online learning opportunities, which happened to coincide with the shift to online learning during the coronavirus pandemic.”

Sidhu left Wayne RESA to focus on helping her family navigate some health challenges during the pandemic. But she continued to be involved with educational endeavors. She has been serving on the Plymouth-Canton School Board since December 2016. In 2021, Sidhu was appointed as a board director for the Michigan Association of School Boards. Her three-year term ended in March. Now, she volunteers as secretary to the Board of Education for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and as a member of the Executive Board of the Wayne County Association of School Boards.

“I’ve worked alongside lots of great people in all these positions,” Sidhu says. “They helped me believe in myself and gave me space to grow and learn. That’s something I try to do as a mentor for students who are exploring ways to become involved in education and politics.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also showed strong belief in Sidhu. In January, the governor’s staff called Sidhu to see if she had interest in joining Eastern’s Board of Regents.

“I worked alongside Governor Whitmer on some statewide councils during the pandemic,” Sidhu says. “But I wasn’t expecting an opportunity to become a Regent. It’s certainly a great honor and privilege.”

After reflecting on her experiences at Eastern, Sidhu applied for the position and was formally appointed to the Board of Regents in March.

“Eastern allowed me to build a strong personal and professional foundation,” she says. “I didn’t have a sense of belonging when I first came to campus. As a student, I discovered my purpose and reconnected with my ethnicity. I fell in love with classical Indian dance, which I still enjoy. Now, I’ve begun learning a North Indian Punjabi dance called Bhangra. Eastern contributed to who I am, and I’m thrilled to be involved as a Regent to help expand opportunities and support for students.”

In addition, Sidhu says her fellow Regents are also very supportive and encouraging.

“Becoming a Regent was like being embraced by family,” she says. “We all have different backgrounds and experiences, and I’ve learned something new from each of them. It’s been a wonderful experience.”

Sidhu and her husband Sandeep live in Canton with their son Jushen and Bernedoodle Zeus. In addition to performing traditional Indian dance, Sidhu loves traveling with her family. Her term as a Regent expires in December 2030.

Editor's Note: This is part of an ongoing series featuring members of the EMU Board of Regents.

Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is Michigan's second oldest public university currently serving over 13,000 students across various disciplines including arts, sciences, business, education among others.