Nishihara is retiring at the end of June after 42 years of working at OSU, serving thousands of students. A celebration in her honor takes from 2-5 p.m., May 15, in the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center.
What originally brought you to Oregon State?
Growing up in Eastern Oregon, my parents always told us we had to go to college (at least partially because they had not had the opportunity), that we needed to go to an Oregon college because of cost, and it could be any big college in Oregon – just not that hippie one in Eugene!
What makes you passionate about higher education?
Higher education changed my life. I learned about so many things I had never heard or conceived of before. I remember when someone handed me a flyer that described the College Student Services Administration (CSSA) graduate program at OSU; the light that went on when I realized people got paid to work with students at OSU! That set me on the course I’ve been on ever since.
How has the landscape for underrepresented students shifted since you first became involved in academia?
When I first came as a freshman, there was a survey for “minority students.” I had not felt like a “minority” before college and was still adjusting to what that might mean for me. There were some cultural centers (in old houses) and a few clubs for different groups. It was sometimes difficult to find out about them and then to feel like I could just show up and be welcome.
Now, with over 20 clubs focused just on Asian and Pacific Islander culture, issues and identities, the landscape of OSU is very different. We now have API Heritage month and lots of other celebratory events. It has been quite a while since someone has assumed that “all Asians are alike” or has asked me what I am.
What advice would you give the younger version of yourself who was just starting college?
I guess that I would tell myself not to worry; it will all work out. Stay true to the things your family and community taught you, be kind to others, assume the best, but keep your eyes open and step in when you see injustice or unfairness affecting anyone. One of my favorite quotes is, “After all of this is over, all that will have really mattered is how we treated each other.”
How does your role as a first-generation college student and a third-generation Japanese-American woman play into the work you’ve done with EOP?
I would also add my identity from growing up on a farm in rural Eastern Oregon – sometimes that is the most pertinent part of my identity, especially when connecting to students from similar backgrounds. A lot of being first-generation is being able to name it. We might not have ever heard that term before coming to college and didn’t realize how different our lives might be from those who grew up in families where college was a part of the environment. Being able to support first-gen students has filled my life and career.
I believe that these identities have shaped and guided my whole life. Being a middle child, I didn’t like feeling left out of things (“Are you American?” or the ruder “What are you anyway?” were questions I used to get regularly.). I realize that much of my work to be as inclusive as possible is based on never wanting anyone to feel “othered” or left out.
What was your favorite course in college?
My favorite courses were the Shakespeare courses. I ended up taking six courses focused on Shakespeare and his plays and was able to attend so many different productions at OSU and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. I really feel that literature ties us together as humans in ways we wouldn’t otherwise understand.
What are some major ways in which universities fail to provide an inclusive environment for students and how can we improve that?
Wow, that’s the question, isn’t it? We’ve tried many things – most well-intentioned but missing a lasting impact. That’s one thing that EOP has: a long-lived impact because the program was created to provide support in ways that all students need. For example, we offer smaller sections of courses with instructors trained to see each student as a human who is working to succeed in whatever goal they have chosen. We have worked with others across campus who want to “reach down and give the poor deficient students a hand up.” NO. We work together with students, passing on knowledge about processes and people that we know will help, not just now but in the future. And we learn so much from the students (and each other).
What gives you hope, especially given moves against DEI programs nationally?
I would love to say that this too shall pass. After all, we’ve had changes and setbacks before. We have come so far that even a stall or a step back is still further than we were in the past. That said, this is a hard time. I try to maintain hope by interacting more with students, whether at the cultural centers, in meetings or walking across campus. They always fill me with hope and joy and strengthen my belief in our future.
Could you describe a moment or event in your career where you truly felt like you made a difference to a student?
I’ve been so lucky that there are so many moments like this. I always feel deep gratitude at our Bridge program welcome events and, on the other end, our graduation parties. The icing on the cake is getting to connect with alumni whether through social media or at OSU alumni events. I just can’t stop smiling.
What are your retirement plans?
Right now, I would love to see parts of Oregon that I haven’t seen. Also, I really like taking trains and so would like to take some longer trips on Amtrak. I plan to stay in the area and continue volunteering at the Benton County Museum. Hope to see folks there.
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