East Asian Studies Prof. Yoko Nishimura has taught at Gettysburg College for seven years and was recently granted tenure.
Nishimura received a B.S. from Loyola University Chicago and later earned her M.A. and Ph.D. from UCLA. In 2023, she published “Museum ‘Diaspora’ Collections for Archaeological Research: Edo-Period Shogun Family’s Funerary Lanterns Outside Japan.” Her research focuses on material culture and historical sources concerning the peoples of East Asia and the Near East dating back to prehistoric periods.
As a scholar and teacher, Nishimura enjoys immersing her students in the cultures of East Asia. Through her classes, her students learn to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture and society, recognize patterns of continuity and change, and analyze cultural practices in comparison to their own through an academically informed lens.
Her courses have addressed topics such as Japan-U.S. relations, Japanese religion on anime/manga, and Gettysburg and Tokyo in the 17th through 19th centuries. She enjoys connecting with her students and seeing them expand their understanding of East Asian societies and traditions, along with essential skills like cultural literacy and leadership.
“What I enjoy most about teaching at Gettysburg College is seeing students grow from high school graduates into thoughtful and confident adults ready to shape the future,” she said. “It is a joy to support them as they gain knowledge, experience, and new perspectives, and I continue to learn so much from them in return.”
Headshot photo provided by East Asian Studies Prof. Yoko Nishimura
Posted: 10/28/25