Shaina A. Nez is Táchii’nii born for Áshįįhi. She is a dedicated educator and Ph.D. candidate in Justice Studies at Arizona State University. She earned her MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
     With over eight years of experience in early childhood education and higher education, she currently serves as a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and English at Diné College. Shaina is committed to advancing social change through her research in Creative Nonfiction and Indigenous methodologies. 
     She founded the Diné Artisans & Authors Capacity Building Institute (DAACBI) 2024 Fellowship Program, which supports emerging Indigenous artists in Creative Writing, Navajo Silversmithing, and Navajo Weaving. 
     Her work has been published in several notable anthologies and journals, reflecting her commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices and promoting equity and inclusivity. She serves on two nonprofit boards: Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) Faculty Advisory Council sponsored by the American Indian College Fund (The College Fund), and the Arizona Humanities (AH) Board of Directors.