Passion for service drives Tri-Cities alumna in new role on Board of Regents

Fé LopezGaetke knows firsthand how vital it is that rural communities have higher education options close to home.

She started her college journey on the Washington State University Pullman campus. Shortly after her first year, Fé's family circumstances changed such that she had to move back home to help support her mother who became ill.

LopezGaetke left Pullman to help but didn't give up on her ambition of becoming a lawyer. Once the situation stabilized, she started where she left off at Yakima Valley Community College in Grandview and then finished her final two years at WSU-Tri-Cities in Richland.

"The Tri-Cities campus was so important because it gave me the chance to continue my education the way I needed," LopezGaetke said.

Not only was it close to family, but its smaller classes helped her feel less nervous about asking questions and reaching out to faculty for guidance. WSU Tri-Cities acted as a springboard, propelling LopezGaetke to Seattle University's School of Law and a career assisting underserved communities.

LopezGaetke intends to bring that service-driven mindset with her as a new member of the WSU Board of Regents.

"I am continually impressed by the accomplishments of WSU Tri-Cities alumni and the many ways they make a difference in the world," said Sandra Haynes, executive vice president for WSU statewide campuses.

She continued, "Fé LopezGaetke stands out as a remarkable example of the resilience, leadership and commitment to community that we hope to cultivate in every student. Her success is a point of pride for WSU Tri-Cities and for our entire university system."

Service to community

LopezGaetke's childhood ambition to become a lawyer was rooted in a desire to fight for her community that she felt is largely ignored. Fé's mom told her that many past presidents were lawyers, so she decided she was going to become a lawyer too since that seemed like the most straightforward route to the power to create change.

"My mom is Chicana who was involved in the farmworker movement, and she raised me to be a Chicana," she said. "Being a Chicana means getting involved to advocate for our community."

By day, LopezGaetke is the co-executive director of Purpose. Dignity. Action., which works towards improving public health and safety outcomes through advocacy and education.

Her previous work includes serving as the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Law School Admissions Council, executive director of the Seattle Community Police Commission working on police reform policy and served in multiple roles at Seattle University School of Law, including director of alumni relations and annual fund as well as director of student life.

Among her many past volunteer roles, Fé was the past president of the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, past president of OneAmerica, served as a member of the American Bar Association's Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline, and a past member of the Public Engagement and Education Committee of the Washington Court's Board of Judicial Administration.

LopezGaetke also works to help the next generation pursue careers in law, including speaking and mentoring students about paths to the legal profession. Her ambition is to help aspiring lawyers find their way and avoid some of the roadblocks she faced. She'd also like to expand these efforts as a member of the Board of Regents, including supporting accessible programs that ensure that all students are successful in school and prepared for their next steps.

"I want students to know that we care, we're not going to leave people behind, and that there's a place for you," she said. "WSU is an important gateway, and I want to make sure that gate is open to everybody."

As a regent, she also aims to better understand WSU's student demographics and improve its reach to groups underrepresented across the system.

"I feel very honored to be chosen to serve," LopezGaetke said. "I believe in service and collaboration, and I'm so excited to work with the regents, President Cantwell and her team, as well as faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve."