Former Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Academic Assembly President D. Josh Troxell announced yesterday his candidacy for mayor of State College.

The Republican primary will take place in May, followed by an election in November.

Troxell, 29, said he is taking a leave of absence from his studies to run for the position against three-term incumbent Mayor Bill Welch.

"The best way to influence a local government is to get involved," Troxell said, adding that he thinks there is a disconnect within the borough. "I will be proactively accessible and travel around the borough on [the community members'] time to hear what they have to say."

Current Academic Assembly President Mark Levin, who served as vice president of operations under Troxell, said that although he hasn't seen Troxell's specific platform yet, targeting students in the borough was a "progressive" idea.

"He was very forward thinking [as assembly president]," Levin said. "He definitely always knew what was going on. He was well thought out."

State College Borough Council member Janet Knauer said she believes that Welch has made himself accessible to community members during his terms.

"He extends himself above and beyond in his role as mayor," Knauer said.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said Welch has done a great deal for Penn State during his term in office, calling him a community booster.

Mahon added, though, that Troxell's student-oriented platform could make the race more appealing.

"Students make up a large part of the borough, and traditionally they have not done well in voting for other students running for office," he said. "There has been increasing interest in supporting [those students]. It could be interesting to watch the race."

Levin said Troxell's connections with the U.S. Navy and USG would help him with the job despite the fact that Troxell is without a college degree.

"I wouldn't expect he'd have any problems with [being mayor]," he said. "He's been around awhile."

Council Member Elizabeth Goreham said she would support Welch in his re-election campaign.

"He's been involved with the community," she said. "He's as active a mayor as we could wish for."

Troxell said he plans on making State College a more attractive place for businesses and residents by increasing local business and providing more jobs.

"Most college students are transient because of less quality jobs and the expense to live here," Troxell said.

If Troxell is elected mayor, he said he would keep his full-time job at the Hotel State College & Company.

Welch said he used to work full time while mayor, but added that his job required less activity.

"I did it but I wasn't filling short orders. ... I was working for a magazine," he said.

The Corner Room, 100 W. College Ave., Manager Sandra Jeffers, Troxell's boss, said Troxell goes to Borough Council meetings and is familiar with State College and the surrounding area.

"I think he'd be a great mayor," Jeffers said. "He's getting more of the kids on campus involved."

Troxell said he plans on infusing personal relationships to connect the community.

"I always see myself in public service," he said. "The reason I live is so I can serve."

Collegian staff writer Drew Curley contributed to this report.