For Nadine (Barragan) Stecklein ’09, public service has always been about belonging. She took that commitment to community one step further when she decided to run for local office in College Place, Washington, the town she and her husband, Zach Stecklein ’03 (and their dog, Lou), call home.
She won her race decisively with more than half of the vote and was sworn in on January 6, 2026, at City Hall. Stecklein believes her perspective as a first-generation Latinx woman in local government will benefit her Eastern Washington State constituents.
“My lived experiences shape how I see community,” she said. “I have built strong relationships and meaningful connections across the Walla Walla Valley. I noticed that issues like safe sidewalks were not being discussed, and I wanted to contribute to solutions instead of just complaining. I am committed to using the relationships, resources, and networks I have built to help College Place become a community where everyone feels like they belong.”
In addition to her new civic leadership role, Stecklein serves as Associate Director for Employer Engagement and Internship Programs at Whitman College in neighboring Walla Walla, Washington, where she coaches college students embarking on their own careers. A community advocate, educator and entrepreneur, she also owns a small business, W2 Photo Booth, a photo booth rental company launched in 2023 to capture fun moments from special events.
Her advice for Whittier and Whitman College students alike is: Ask questions, and don’t be afraid to tap into the alumni network. "Always reach out, always ask,” she said. “We alumni were once in your shoes, and we are happy to share how we got to be where we are today. If you are interested in politics, try working on a campaign or seeing if you can do an internship for an elected official that represents you. That’s how I got my internship at City Hall in my hometown. One day, I went into the office and asked if they had any need for an intern. They had seen me work hard in a previous internship and hired me on the spot." Stecklein grew up in Pico Rivera, California, and chose Whittier for the small class sizes and opportunity to engage directly with faculty. As a student, she was active in the Palmer Society and Hispanic Student Association, and designed her own public policy major through the Whittier Scholars Program. A proud Poet, Stecklein stays connected to her alma mater by attending Homecoming and alumni events in Seattle.
“Whittier provided spaces for me to feel like myself and feel like I belonged,” she said. “Through extracurricular involvement and strong support from faculty and mentors, I developed a deep commitment to inclusion and belonging. These values are a big reason why I chose public service as a career. Stepping into leadership roles across various clubs and organizations at Whittier helped me build the confidence, voice, and sense of responsibility that ultimately made that feel possible.”
Stecklein’s path to elected office was not always straightforward. She previously ran for a City Council seat and lost, and bids to be appointed as a City Council Member were unsuccessful.
“The first thing I learned from campaigning was to never give up,” she said. “I did not let any of that keep me down.”
Poet Sweethearts: Nadine (Barragan) Stecklein ’09 and Zach Stecklein '03
It took tenacity, patience, and a strong platform rooted in support for solid infrastructure, economic growth and more services for youth and seniors to reach her goal, but Stecklein's perseverance paid off—and she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
"I hope to make progress on at least one key initiative or project in each of my platform ideas in the next four years,” she said. “I also hope that more people are willing to come to City Council meetings and engage with their local government. I will make myself accessible by attending events the city has as well as always being open and following up with constituent needs and concerns.” To learn more about Stecklein and her vision for College Place, visit her campaign website.
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