As Director of the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government (HSOG), Dr. Masami Nishishiba believes in the power of collaboration.  It’s what drew her to assume the director role in 2023, and it continues to drive her to lead the school and shape her vision for the future of the school.

Why This Position
After more than 25 years serving in the Department of Public Administration and the Center for Public Service within HSOG, Dr. Nishishiba was drawn to the unique opportunity to lead the Hatfield School as the Director. The position allows her to work across the school’s academic departments and centers, helping to strengthen connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners. 

From the beginning of her tenure, Dr. Nishishiba’s goal has been to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and cultivate a shared identity across the Hatfield School community. She has worked to move beyond the perception of separation among the units and instead promote a culture in which the school’s departments, centers, and programs see themselves as part of a larger, interconnected mission.  

Hatfield School’s Importance to the Region

Located in the heart of downtown Portland, the Hatfield School is uniquely positioned to engage with the public and non-profit sectors, Dr. Nishishiba says.  Its proximity to local organizations allows students and faculty to build meaningful relationships with practitioners and community members while contributing to the region’s most pressing challenges.   It also provides easy access to the school’s resources to the people who live and work in the metro area. According to Dr. Nishishiba, one of her goals is making sure they know the resources available to them. 

Accomplishments She is Most Proud of

Public Service, Governance, & the Role of HSOG Today

Dr. Nishishiba believes that one of the Hatfield School’s most important roles is to be the curator of convening, in other words, to be the convener of conversations that matter.  Effective convening involves more than simply bringing people together. It requires thoughtful attention to who is at the table, how discussions are structured, and whether participants feel empowered to contribute  

One example of such a project she started is the Practitioner Round Table, an initiative that emerged from conversations with the Multnomah County leadership members who were seeking support as they navigated complex situations that their diversity, equity, and inclusion  (DEI) efforts were facing. In response, HSOG became the convener of the DEI practitioners in the region and created a forum where they could exchange ideas, learn from research, and engage in candid dialogue in a safe and supportive environment.  The HSOG provided a moderator, and the graduate students conducted research for them. For Dr. Nishishiba, the success of the Round Table demonstrates the important role universities can play in fostering meaningful engagement and collective problem-solving. 

The Hatfield Connection 

In Spring 2026, Dr. Nishishiba brought together representatives from the three Oregon institutions that carry Senator Mark O. Hatfield’s name:  the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University, the Mark O. Hatfield Library at Willamette University, and the Hatfield Marine Science Center at Oregon State University for a panel discussion at the Friends of Hatfield Speaker Series event. 

The conversation highlighted the potential for a broader “Hatfield” network that connects individuals and organizations inspired by Senator Hatfield’s legacy.  Dr. Nishishiba envisions these institutions serving as the hub for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and public engagement, while advancing the value of civic leadership, public service, and principled governance that Senator Hatfield embodied and championed throughout his career. 

Leading to the Future 

Dr. Nishishiba credits the success of the Hatfield School to the dedication of its faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners. She is proud of the work they do every day to strengthen public service and democratic governance. 

Looking ahead, she is committed to ensuring that the Hatfield School remains a premier destination for students pursuing careers in public service. At the same time, she seeks to expand the school’s role as a trusted partner and source of knowledge for leaders in the public, nonprofit, and political sectors. Through collaboration, engagement, and innovation, Dr. Nishishiba hopes to help the Hatfield School continue making a meaningful impact throughout Oregon and beyond.