Mankato East Principal Akram Osman Named 2025 Bush Fellow

Mankato Area Public Schools is proud to announce that Mankato East High School Principal Akram Osman has been named a 2025 Bush Fellow—a prestigious leadership award honoring bold visionaries shaping the future of their communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations that share this geography.

Osman was recognized at the Bush Foundation’s May Launch Retreat alongside this year’s cohort of Fellows. The honor celebrates his deep commitment to educational equity and his unwavering advocacy for student belonging and systemic change.

After arriving in Mankato as a fifth-grade Somali refugee in 2001, Osman experienced the challenges of learning English, adjusting to a new culture, and overcoming the stereotypes often placed on immigrant and refugee students. These early experiences shaped his resolve to lead schools where every student feels seen, valued, and supported to succeed.

Throughout his career—serving as a cultural liaison, special education teacher, and now high school principal—Osman has earned respect for his ability to build trust across diverse communities and inspire others toward shared goals. As one of the first Somali American principals in Minnesota, he is working to dismantle systemic barriers, increase representation in educational leadership, and spark courageous conversations that lead to lasting change.

“I’ve been extremely blessed to meet leaders who saw my gifts and talents before I saw them in myself,” said Osman. “Those early influences helped me realize how critical it is to lead with purpose and create schools that embrace the humanity and lived experiences of all students.”

As a Bush Fellow, Osman will pursue executive leadership training, mentorship, and policy study to amplify his impact as a statewide and national advocate for educational equity.

The 2025 Bush Fellows are working on a wide range of transformational efforts—from building low-cost housing that responds to climate change to preserving Indigenous languages and reimagining health care access for underserved communities. Each Fellow brings bold ideas and a commitment to thinking bigger about what’s possible.

To learn more about Akram Osman and the other 2025 Bush Fellows, visit www.bushfoundation.org.