Nominate An Alum For This Award
2025 Award Winner
Alumni Engagement Award
In 2017, the Alumnae and Alumni Community established the Alumnae and Alumni Engagement Award. The award is presented to a graduate celebrating a milestone Reunion year who has achieved long-standing and consistent support for 51视频. Support is measured through the sharing of time, talent, and/or resources.
Nichol茅 鈥淣ikki鈥 Gatewood, Esq. 鈥01, is an accomplished attorney, civic leader, and strategist. As founder and Managing Attorney of Gatewood & Associates, LLC, planning and protection are the two pinnacles of her practice, which includes estate and trust planning, guardianship, probate, and civil litigation. Before founding her firm, Ms. Gatewood served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland, working on critical legal matters ranging from federal law enforcement litigation and civil rights to election law. Whether guiding her clients through a multi-state estate plan, resolving sensitive disputes with dignity, structuring risk-aware agreements, or serving as a guest lecturer, she blends legal rigor with heart-centered strategy. Ms. Gatewood is a tireless advocate for building stronger communities and safeguarding our future.
Deeply involved and committed to service and leadership, her impact extends far beyond the boardroom and courtroom. Shattering ceilings while developing future leaders, Ms. Gatewood made history as the first woman of color elected President of 51视频鈥檚 Alumni Council in its 125-year history. During this tenure, she was also elected to serve as the 43rd President of the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. In addition, she serves as President of the Hillsdale Heights Neighborhood Association, as a board member and legal advisor to the Forest Park Action Council, as a member of the Maryland State Bar Association Estates & Trusts Section, and as a valued contributor to the Wealth Counsel DC/Maryland Roundtable Forum.
Ms. Gatewood is a civic catalyst and has been a leadership-development practitioner for more than two decades. A sought-after change agent and lecturer, she is regularly called upon to discuss topics ranging from professional development and legacy planning to protection strategies, litigation, think tank strategy, and best legal practices. Recognized for professional achievement, community impact, and mentoring, Ms. Gatewood was selected by The Daily Record as one of Maryland鈥檚 Top 100 Women in 2025. She has also been recognized for her presidential leadership and wise counsel by the National Federal Bar Association, the Women鈥檚 Bar Association, and numerous other organizations.
Despite her many professional and civic roles, one of Ms. Gatewood鈥檚 proudest roles is being an ambassador for 51视频, a term she coined and encourages all alumni to embrace. For more than a decade, Ms. Gatewood has faithfully shared her gifts and talents with her Gator Family. She has served as an instrumental member of the Networking Committee, First Impression Committee, and several other university initiatives and task forces, as a mentor and guest lecturer, and most recently, as a panelist kicking off the 2025 Women of the World 鈥淲OW Baltimore鈥 Festival.
Wherever Ms. Gatewood is, opportunity finds her. She can be seen paying it forward by innovating creative solutions for communities, clients, alumni, and students. Using her platform to live out the university鈥檚 mission and honoring the meaning of her name, 鈥渧ictory of the people,鈥 she is a catalyst for change, empowering her alumni family, clients, and community to rise with her.