About Naomi
Naomi W. Nishi, Ph.D., is a scholar-practitioner with 20 years of experience in higher education. Her research focuses on issues of intersectional equity and social and health justice in higher education and STEMM education. She currently serves as associate dean of culture, community, and accessible care in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University and is a faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
Naomi is an adult educator and facilitator. Previously, she has served as a faculty member in adult and higher education at Oregon State University, ethnic studies at the University of Colorado Denver, and intercultural communications at the University of Denver. She has also worked with several nonprofit and corporate partners on social justice initiatives and education, including the AVMA, the AAVMC, the Geographic Management of Cancer Health Disparities Program (GMaP), the Colorado Department of Public Health, and National Jewish Health.
Education
Ph.D., Education and Human Development, University of Colorado-Denver, 2019Master of Arts, International and Intercultural Communication, University of Denver, 2005Bachelor of Science, Scientific and Technical Communication, Michigan Technological University, 2001
Publications
Nishi, N. W., Watley, E., Collier, M. J., & Morales, G. I. (2025). Intersectionality, equity-mindedness, and access to care. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12, 1602950. Guida, T., Nishi, N. W., & Corces-Zimmerman, C. (2025). Critical Qualitative
Approaches to Examine Whiteness. In Critical Qualitative Research and Social Justice (pp. 164-176). Routledge. Svenson, G. R., Arnold, O., Vigil, P., Nishi, N., & Magee, C. (2025). How a College Course Benefits Under-Resourced High Schoolers Interested in
Veterinary Medicine. Journal of Youth Development, 20(2), 94-112. Nishi, N., & Browning-Blas, K. (2024). Colorado State centers diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(8), 1122-1122. Nishi, N. W., Collier, M. J., Morales, G. I., & Watley, E. (2024). Microaggressions in veterinary communication: what are they? How are they harmful? What can veterinary professionals and educators do?. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(3), 1-6.