The Washington State Senate on Friday unanimously confirmed Washington State University student Amina Hussein to the university’s Board of Regents.
Hussein has been serving as student regent on WSU’s governing board since her appointment by Gov. Bob Ferguson last summer. Earlier this month, she spoke before the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee to share her experience in the prestigious position, “I believe in the importance of the student regent position as to make sure that students are treated as necessary components in higher education discussions and I am fiercely committed to continuing a legacy of servant leadership.”
The university’s first Black female student regent, Hussein was born in Kenya and later moved to the United States. Her family settled in Everett, where she would go on to be the first Black female to serve as student body president at Everett High School and as a student representative on the state’s Board of Education.
On campus, Hussein has been involved in a number of service roles, including through the Associated Student of WSU and the Black Student Union. During remarks in support of her confirmation, Senator Mark Schoesler, who represents Pullman in Washington’s 9th Legislative District, detailed Hussein’s qualifications for the position. “She currently serves as the leader of several organizations including the Council of Multicultural Presidents and the African Diaspora Association.”
Hussein intends to pursue a career in law, with interest in law school and hopes to one day serve in the state Legislature. Her term on the Board of Regents expires at the end of June.
You can watch the confirmation vote from the floor of the Senate beginning at 18 minutes 43 seconds below.