Jessica Nishikawa, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, EBP-CH.
Jessica Nishikawa, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, EBP-CH, associate professor at Hawaiʻi Pacific University’s School of Nursing, has been elected as the North American Region 1 Regional Coordinator for Sigma Theta Tau International for the 2025-2027 term.
Nishikawa was elected during the organization’s 48th Biennial Convention. Sigma Theta Tau is the international honor society of nursing, representing more than 100,000 members and over 600 chapters worldwide.
Region 1 encompasses a large and diverse geographic area, including Canada, Washington state, Idaho, California, and Hawaiʻi.
In this role, Nishikawa will provide strategic leadership and oversight for Sigma chapters across the region, support and mentor chapter and board leaders, facilitate regional collaboration, and work closely with headquarters and international leadership on organizational priorities. The position is a two-year term and is part of Sigma’s Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee, which plays a key role in advancing nursing leadership, scholarship, and global engagement.
“It feels both meaningful and well-timed for me,” Nishikawa shared. "Like many, my leadership experience began at the local level and has grown over time into state and regional involvement. This role represents a natural next step into broader national and international service.”
As Regional Coordinator, Nishikawa will work with nursing leaders across a wide range of communities and practice settings. “I plan to approach this role by listening and learning. There is already tremendous strength and leadership across the region,” she shared.
“I am especially excited about the opportunity to connect with colleagues across the region and support the important work already underway. Helping bring people together, share ideas, and strengthen our professional community is work I find both energizing and deeply rewarding.”
In addition to serving on the faculty at HPU, Nishikawa has held a variety of leadership roles, including MSN program director, associate dean of the School of Nursing, chairing multiple university- and school-level committees, and serving as secretary of the Faculty Senate Executive Team.
“Each role has been a natural progression and, at its core, has centered on working with people,” she shared.
Jessica Nishikawa (center) speaking at one of the leadership panels she participated in at a past Sigma Theta Tau conference held at HPU’s Aloha Tower Marketplace.
Whether in her work at HPU or externally with an organization like Sigma Theta Tau, Nishikawa plans to apply her leadership philosophy, which is centered on trust and follow-through, to achieve success.
“No matter the title, it comes down to how you connect with others and the trust you build along the way,” she said. “I’ve learned that when people have confidence in you and trust you to follow through, good work gets done.”
Nishikawa also hopes by serving in this role she will inspire others in the HPU nursing community to seek valuable professional engagement opportunities with the field.
“Many leadership opportunities emerge from consistent service and connection over time. I would like our students and faculty to see that their voices matter and that their professional reach can extend beyond the classroom,” she concluded.
