Editor’s note: This is first in a series profiling candidates for State College government positions.

Penn State student D. Josh Troxell said he knows it's an uphill battle, but being elected mayor of State College would be worth the fight.

Troxell, former Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Academic Assembly president, is up against three-time incumbent Mayor Bill Welch in this year's municipal elections Nov. 8.

"It's time for change," said the 29-year-old Troxell, who is on undergraduate student leave from Penn State. "After 12 years, you can get stuck in your ways."

Troxell, a Republican, said he's been out motivating students to register to vote before today's deadline.

According to the Centre County elections office, students make up 5,000 of State College's 22,000 registered voters. Usually, about 200 students vote in the borough's elections.

"I see the things students bring to this town," Troxell said, referring to the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon and other volunteer activities. "Let's channel some of that energy into making State College better."

However, he said students are not his only focus.

"Am I a student candidate? No," Troxell said. "Am I a student-friendly candidate? Yes."

State College Borough Council president Tom Daubert said Welch has also tried to involve students.

Welch's numerous community activities include co-chairing a campus and community initiative against dangerous drinking, working with the greek system on civic engagement and speaking at the president's convocation for new students.

From a community perspective, Troxell said his goals include creating a consolidated plan for attracting businesses downtown.

He said the council's recent actions, such as trying to move forward in revitalizing the Urban Village and repealing the business privilege tax, are only beginning steps.

Keeping the borough in check on spending is also key, Troxell said.

The borough has increased property taxes by 2.55 mills in the past three years and is expected to raise them another 3.9 mills in 2006 to keep up with rising costs.

"In times when prices are going up, we really need to step back and say to ourselves, 'Are we spending every dime we have to make State College a better place?' " Troxell said. "Those are the things we're going to have to take a hard look at because we can't afford to tax and tax and tax."

Welch, a Democrat, said he would continue to keep a careful eye on the borough's finances if re-elected, but he doesn't have a specific platform.

"I don't have some kind of wish list," said Welch, who was a four-year council member before becoming mayor. "I deal with whatever comes along."

He said his ability to run council meetings allows issues to move forward smoothly.

"We need rational solutions to complex problems," he said. "My goal is to keep people talking to each other in a civilized fashion."

Council member Cathy Dauler said Welch has been successful with that goal -- something that shouldn't be underestimated.

"It's a difficult position in many ways because he does not have a vote, so he has to use his powers of persuasion," she said. "That's not easy with seven hard-headed individuals."

Troxell, who works as an assistant manager at Hotel State College & Company, said his past involvement with USG, the U.S. Navy and mission work in Central America has given him the leadership needed to do the job.