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Kathryn Nakagawa

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SST Asian Pacific American Studies
Associate Professor
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 6403
SST American Studies
Assoc Professor
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 6403
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Instructor
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 6403
School for the Future of Innovation in Society > Related Faculty
Assoc Professor
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 6403
Biography: 

Kathryn Nakagawa is an associate professor of Asian Pacific American studies in the School of Social Transformation. Her research explores issues of inequity in education including the relationship between families and schools, parent involvement and school reform, charter schools, family literacy programs and racial literacy. With Drs. Aggie Noah and Karen Leong, she is also working on the Asian American and Pacific Islander Women's Health Project, which examines issues of sexual and reproductive health in AAPI women and the ways that personal stories, culture, family and immigration influence health choices. Professor Nakagawa received her doctorate from Northwestern University in Human Development and Social Policy.

Education: 

Ph.D. Human Development and Social Policy, Northwestern University

Publications: 

  • Nakagawa, K. (2019). Possible worlds for families in schools. International Journal of Psychology & Society, 11(1), 48-64.

  • Nakagawa, K. & Eigo, W. (2016). “Are we going to read anything that’s not written by White men about White men?”: A mother and daughter working for school change. In K. A. Scott & A. S. Henward (Eds)., Women education scholars and their children’s schooling. New York: Routledge.

  • Nakagawa, K. & Arzubiaga, A. (2014). The use of social media in teaching race. Adult Learning, 25(3), 103-110.

  • Nakagawa, K. (2012). “Immigration” and “Migration.” In James A. Banks (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Nakagawa, K., Cocchiarella, M., Earl, E., Moreno, S., & Birr, R. (2011). Family engagement through health clinics. In Promising practices in family-school-community partnerships. Scottsdale, AZ: Information Age Press.

  • Nakagawa, K. Moving beyond the model minority. State of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders in Arizona (2008).
  • Rolstad, K., Swadener, E., & Nakagawa, K. "Verde"-Sometimes they call it green. International Journal of Equity and Innovation In Early Childhood Education (2008).
  • Strom, R. D., Lee, T. J., Strom, P. S., Nakagawa, K., & Beckert, T. E. Taiwanese Grandmothers: Strengths and Learning Needs as Perceived by Grandmothers, Mothers and Granddaughters. Educational Gerontology (2008).
  • Stafford, M (Author) ,Fisher, T (Author) ,Nakagawa, Kathryn (Author) ,Matthews, L (Author) . Enhancing the success of mobile gifted girls. Handbook for Counseling Talented At Risk Girls (2005).
  • C Mattern, Kathryn Nakagawa. Segregating students on the margin: Peer relationship in alternative high schools. Current Issues in Education, [On-line] (2003).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn (Author) . Parental and community empowerment: The Chicago model. Reinterpreting urban school reform (2003).
  • Kathryn Nakagawa, M Stafford, T Fisher, L Matthews. The "city migrant" dilemma: Building community at high-mobility urban schools. Urban Education (2002).
  • R Strom, J Dohrmann, P Strom, D Griswold, T Beckert, S Strom, E Moore, Kathryn Nakagawa. African American mothers of early adolescents: Perceptions of two generations. Youth and Society (2002).
  • T Fisher, L Matthews, M Stafford, Kathryn Nakagawa, K Durante. School personnel's perceptions of effective programs for working with mobile students and families. Elementary School Journal (2002).
  • Kathryn Nakagawa. Unthreading the ties that bind: Questioning the discourse of parent involvement. Educational Policy (2000).
  • Kathryn Nakagawa, R Pena. Butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers: Deconstructing parental involvement in middle level schooling. Current Issues in Middle Level Education (2000).
Research Activity: 

  • Leong, Karen & Nakagawa, Kathryn. Stowe Fund Public History Grant, 2019 ($2900)

  • Yellow Horse, Aggie; Leong, Karen & Nakagawa Kathryn. Institute for Humanities Research Fellowship, Asian Pacific American Women’s Sexual & Reproductive Health, 2017-2018 ($9000)

  • Swadener,Elizabeth Blue*, Nakagawa,Kathryn, Perry,Nancy Jean. YR 4-5: First-Thing-First Evaluation - Aggregate. UNIV OF AZ(7/1/2011 - 1/31/2012).
  • Nakagawa,Kathryn*. Arizona Parent Kit - Use and Impact. UNIV OF AZ(2/1/2011 - 6/30/2011).
  • Nakagawa,Kathryn*. Join Up for Math Play (JUMP) Program. MARICOPA INTEGRATED HEALTH SYS(7/1/2010 - 6/30/2012).
  • Nakagawa,Kathryn*. Evaluation of Arizona Family Literacy and Even Start Programs. AZ DEPT OF EDUCATION(10/1/2007 - 12/31/2007).
  • Nakagawa,Kathryn*. Arizona Family Literacy and Even Start Programs and Arizona Migrant Education Even Start Programs Evaluation. AZ DEPT OF EDUCATION(1/1/2004 - 12/31/2006).
  • Nakagawa,Kathryn*, Ota Wang,Vivian. THE PUBLIC CONVERSATION ON PUBLIC EDUCATION: RAISING THE LEVEL. AZ COMMUNITY FDN(6/1/1999 - 5/31/2000).
Fall 2021
Course NumberCourse Title
APA 340Asian Pacific Americans/Media
JUS 492Honors Directed Study
EDP 592Research
SST 691Seminar
EDP 792Research
EDP 799Dissertation
Summer 2021
Course NumberCourse Title
EDP 799Dissertation
Spring 2021
Course NumberCourse Title
DCI 784Internship
DCI 792Research
DCI 799Dissertation
Fall 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
EDP 592Research
DCI 784Internship
DCI 790Reading and Conference
EDP 792Research
DCI 792Research
EDP 799Dissertation
DCI 799Dissertation
Summer 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
EDP 799Dissertation
Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
APA 340Asian Pacific Americans/Media
SOC 350Inequality/Diversity Education
AFR 350Inequality/Diversity Education
APA 350Inequality/Diversity Education
CDE 350Inequality/Diversity Education
TCL 360Inequality/Diversity Education
JUS 365Inequality/Diversity Education
JUS 493Honors Thesis
APA 493Honors Thesis
APA 499Individualized Instruction
SST 499Individualized Instruction
SST 590Reading and Conference
EDP 599Thesis
SST 599Thesis
DCI 784Internship
EDP 790Reading and Conference
JUS 790Reading and Conference
DCI 792Research
EDP 792Research
EDP 799Dissertation
DCI 799Dissertation
Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
SOC 350Inequality/Diversity Education
CDE 350Inequality/Diversity Education
AFR 350Inequality/Diversity Education
APA 350Inequality/Diversity Education
TCL 360Inequality/Diversity Education
JUS 365Inequality/Diversity Education
JUS 492Honors Directed Study
APA 492Honors Directed Study
APA 493Honors Thesis
APA 498Pro-Seminar
APA 499Individualized Instruction
SST 590Reading and Conference
SST 592Research
EDP 592Research
SST 593Applied Project
SST 599Thesis
DCI 784Internship
DCI 790Reading and Conference
DCI 792Research
EDP 792Research
DCI 799Dissertation
EDP 799Dissertation
Summer 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
SST 599Thesis
EDP 799Dissertation
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
JUS 200Topics/Concepts/Issues/Justice
SST 394Special Topics
APA 394Special Topics
JUS 394Special Topics
WST 394Special Topics
APA 492Honors Directed Study
APA 493Honors Thesis
APA 498Pro-Seminar
SST 499Individualized Instruction
APA 499Individualized Instruction
SST 580Practicum
SST 590Reading and Conference
SST 592Research
EDP 599Thesis
SST 599Thesis
DCI 784Internship
EDP 790Reading and Conference
JUS 790Reading and Conference
EDP 792Research
DCI 792Research
DCI 799Dissertation
EDP 799Dissertation
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
APA 340Asian Pacific Americans/Media
AFR 350Inequality/Diversity Education
SOC 350Inequality/Diversity Education
CDE 350Inequality/Diversity Education
APA 350Inequality/Diversity Education
TCL 360Inequality/Diversity Education
JUS 365Inequality/Diversity Education
APA 492Honors Directed Study
APA 493Honors Thesis
APA 498Pro-Seminar
APA 499Individualized Instruction
SST 590Reading and Conference
SST 592Research
EDP 592Research
SST 593Applied Project
SST 599Thesis
DCI 784Internship
DCI 790Reading and Conference
DCI 792Research
EDP 792Research
DCI 799Dissertation
EDP 799Dissertation
Summer 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
SST 599Thesis
EDP 799Dissertation
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
APA 492Honors Directed Study
APA 493Honors Thesis
APA 498Pro-Seminar
SST 499Individualized Instruction
APA 499Individualized Instruction
SST 580Practicum
SST 590Reading and Conference
SST 592Research
SST 599Thesis
EDP 599Thesis
DCI 784Internship
EDP 790Reading and Conference
JUS 790Reading and Conference
DCI 792Research
EDP 792Research
EDP 799Dissertation
DCI 799Dissertation
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
JUS 191First-Year Seminar
SST 194Special Topics
CDE 350Inequality/Diversity Education
SOC 350Inequality/Diversity Education
AFR 350Inequality/Diversity Education
APA 350Inequality/Diversity Education
JUS 365Inequality/Diversity Education
APA 492Honors Directed Study
APA 493Honors Thesis
APA 498Pro-Seminar
APA 499Individualized Instruction
SST 590Reading and Conference
SST 592Research
EDP 592Research
SST 593Applied Project
SST 599Thesis
DCI 784Internship
DCI 790Reading and Conference
DCI 792Research
EDP 792Research
DCI 799Dissertation
EDP 799Dissertation
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
SST 599Thesis
EDP 799Dissertation
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
SOC 350Inequality/Diversity Education
AFR 350Inequality/Diversity Education
CDE 350Inequality/Diversity Education
APA 350Inequality/Diversity Education
JUS 365Inequality/Diversity Education
APA 492Honors Directed Study
APA 493Honors Thesis
APA 498Pro-Seminar
SST 499Individualized Instruction
APA 499Individualized Instruction
SST 580Practicum
SST 590Reading and Conference
SST 592Research
SST 599Thesis
EDP 599Thesis
DCI 784Internship
JUS 790Reading and Conference
EDP 790Reading and Conference
DCI 792Research
EDP 792Research
EDP 799Dissertation
DCI 799Dissertation
Presentations: 
  • Nakagawa, K., Yellowhorse, A. & Leong, K. (2020, February). Asian American & Pacific Islander Women’s Sexual & Reproductive Health. Arizona Women’s Health Conference in Phoenix, AZ.
  • Keynote, Arizona State Museum Teacher Workshop on Race, “Racial Literacy,” September 6, 2019
  • Presenter/Moderator, Chandler Public Library “Our Stories” series on Japanese American Flower Gardens, May 18, 2019
  • Presenter, Osher Lifelong Learning Center, “Building Community: Japanese Gardens, Peace & Friendship” February & October, 2018
  • Presenter, AZ Humanities “FRANK Talk” on Racial Literacy (at various dates throughout 2018)
  • Presenter, AZ Humanities “FRANK Talk” on Parenting & Reproductive Health
  • Presenter, Discussion panel for PBS documentary American Creed, Chandler Public Library, March 7, 2018
  • Presenter, Teaching in the 21st Century Symposium, South Mountain Community College, Jan. 20, 2018
  • Presenter/moderator, District of Arizona Ninth Circuit Civics Day on Japanese American Internment, February, 2017.
  • Hutchison, E., & Nakagawa, K. (2017, October). “The revolution is never complete”: Forging community alliances for political change. National Humanities Council Conference in Boston, MA.
  • Nakagawa, K. & Eigo, W. (2016, April). Are we going to read anything that’s not written by white men for white men? Paper presentation in session, “Women education scholars and their children’s schooling,” AERA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
  • Coordinator, Asian Pacific Advocacy, Culture & Education (APACE) Academy (high school outreach program), June 2016-2019
  • Presenter, Osher Lifelong Learning Center, “Ganbatte (Do Your Best): The Japanese American Experience in Arizona,” June 2016
  • Presenter, Communities of Contrast Advancing Justice Report Launch, Nov. 2015
  • Panel Moderator, White House Initiative on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Women & Families Summit Meeting in Phoenix, Oct. 2015
  • Arzubiaga, A. & Nakagawa, K. (2015, February). The role of online video sites in learning about race. Poster presented at the Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference in Las Vegas, NV.
  • Nakagawa, K.; Earl, E.; Cocchiarella, M., & Arzubiaga, A. (2015, March). JUMP and SPIN: A Case Study of Early Math and Science Learning. Paper presented as part of symposium “Family Engagement in Early Mathematics Learning,” Biennial Society for Research in Child Development Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Arzubiaga, A. & Nakagawa, K. (2014). Constructions of Racism: Learning Racism in The New Media. Roundtable paper presented at the AERA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Nakagawa, K. (2014). Join Up for Math Play! Paper presented at International Network of School, Family & Community Partnerships Conference in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Arzubiaga, A. & Nakagawa, K. (2013). Activity Theory and New Media: Developing Methods And Understandings On How Racism Is Constructed. Paper presentation at the ISCAR Canada-USA Regional Section Meeting.
  • Birr, R., Aguinaga, A., & Nakagawa, K. (2013). Thinking green while promoting health literacy: Using a refurbished computer as motivation to attend a health information computer class. Poster presented at the Arizona Library Association Conference.
  • Nakagawa, K. & Arzubiaga, A. (2013). Youth Identity Negotiations in New Media:  A Cultural-Historical Perspective on Racism/Responses in YouTube Videos. Roundtable presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association in San Francisco, CA.
  • Nakagawa, K. (2012, April). Beginning kindergartener’s language development in English & Spanish. Paper presentation (part of symposium on Evaluating a statewide community-based initiative to enhance school readiness in Arizona) at the AERA Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada.
  • Nakagawa, K. Parent development through family literacy. AERA Annual Meeting (Apr 2011).
  • Nakagawa, K. "Politics of Race and Social Inclusion". AERA Annual Meeting (Apr 2011).
  • Nakagawa, K. Critical Narratives in Media and Policy. AERA Annual Meeting (Apr 2011).
  • Nakagawa, K. Family Matters: Parental Influences on Development During Early Childhood. AERA Annual Meeting (Apr 2011).
  • Birr, R. A., Aguinaga, A., Moreno, S., Ruiz, M., Gendreau, L., Rodriguez, J., Lowney, B., Brown, L., Brink, T., & Nakagawa, K. Thinking green while promoting health literacy. Medical Library Association Annual Meeting (May 2010).
  • Nakagawa, K. Fathers & Mothers in Diverse Contexts. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (May 2010).
  • Nakagawa, K. Examining Different Issues in Parent Engagement. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (Mar 2008).
  • Rolstad, K, Swadener, E, Nakagawa, Kathryn. Early childhood dual immersion programs: TWIST and Kindergarten. National Association of Bilingual Educators Conference, Phoenix, AZ (Jan 2006).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn, Fernandez, L. Parent views on children's language learning in preschool and kindergarten. Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education Conference, Madison, WI (Nov 2005).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn, Fernandez, L. Parents' perspectives on children's language learning experiences. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada (Apr 2005).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn, Nelsen, E, Adkins, J. Parent interaction in family literacy programs: Perspectives on assessing parenting practices. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada (Apr 2005).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn, Fisher, T, Stafford, M, Thomas, J. Examining the relationship between school programs and practices, student mobility, and school achievement. AERA 2004 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA (Apr 2004).
  • Rolstad, K, Swadener, E, Nakagawa, Kathryn. Verde-Sometimes they call it green. Interactive symposium at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA (Apr 2004).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn, Quie, A, Nelsen, E, Walton, M, Iyer, R. Studying family literacy programs: Outcomes, models, and future directions. Arizona Educational Research Organization 2003 Annual Meeting, Tempe, AZ (Oct 2003).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn, Nelsen, E, Walton, M, Shen, Y, Shaw, K, Emilio, K, Wright, J. Changing parenting practices through an early intervention family literacy program. American Educational Research Association 2002 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (Apr 2002).
  • Nelsen, E, Ding, C, Nakagawa, Kathryn, Weiner, C. Assessment of cognitive growth of preschool children. American Educational Research Association 2002 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (Apr 2002).
  • Fisher, T, Matthews, L, Nakagawa, Kathryn, Stafford, M. Interventions to stabilize urban schools: Do they address developmental needs of youth?. American Educational Research Association 2001 Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA (Apr 2001).
  • Hackett, M, Nakagawa, Kathryn. Quality of drop-in after school programs and the relationship to children's academic, social, and behavioral competence. Society for Research on Child Development 2001 Biennial Meeting, Minneapolis, MN (Apr 2001).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn, Hackett, M, McKinnon, A. Examining the discourse of strengths vs. deficits in a family literacy program. American Educational Research Association 2001 Annual Meeting (part of a structured poster symposium), Seattle, WA (Apr 2001).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn, Nelsen, E, Emilio, K. Diversity and assessment in family literacy and early intervention programs. Relevance of Assessment and Culture in Education Conference (RACE 2001), Tempe, AZ (Jan 2001).
  • Nelsen, E, Shaw, K, Nakagawa, Kathryn, Walton, M, Weeks, L. Follow-up study of a family literacy program: Short- and long-term effects on achievement. National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA (Nov 2000).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn. Student stability and achievement through family literacy programs. Arizona Educational Research Organization Annual Meeting, Tucson, AZ (Oct 2000).
  • Nakagawa, Kathryn, Stafford, M, Shen, Y. Enhancing student stability through family literacy programs. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA (Apr 2000).
  • Mattern, C, Nakagawa, Kathryn. Segregating students on the margin: Peer relationships in alternative high schools. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA (Apr 2000).
  • Parkerson, A, Nakagawa, Kathryn. Closing the gap: The effects of extracurricular involvement on adolescent girls' career self-efficacy. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA (Apr 2000).
Expertise Areas: 
Sociocultural Issues
Race and Racism in Education
Parenting