Alex Smith calls himself a "small piece in a big puzzle."

Smith, chairman of Penn State College Republicans, said while he is working to create political awareness at Penn State, his role in the whole scheme of the presidential election is not as big as some others'.

But, Smith said, grassroots efforts are often more important than broader national campaigning.

"Some of the grassroots stuff has a greater capacity to change people's minds," Smith said. "TV ads are pretty impersonal. When you have more personal contact with people they are much more likely to consider new ideas."

Politics is a hobby for Smith, who was introduced to it by his dad when he was young. Though his parents are not involved in politics, it has always been a topic of interest for them.

Smith has vague recollections of the Bill Clinton-Bob Dole election of 1996, but he followed the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections closely and saw Barbara Bush speak at a rally in 2000.

John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, was "not necessarily" a first choice for Smith, who said Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson would also have made him happy. But he always saw McCain as the most electable, he said.

"I'm fairly optimistic," Smith said of McCain's election. "He's down a little bit in the polls, but he's within the margin of error. I'm hoping for change in the polls."

Smith said one of his favorite parts of his job is meeting local politicians and students who are also interested in politics.

He said voting is an important process for students, but low voter turnouts that indicate disinterest aren't necessarily a bad thing.

"Not everyone cares. If you look at countries like Russia and Venezuela, who have high voter turnout -- they care," Smith said. "It's kind of nice in America that you don't have to care."

However, he said, voting sends a strong message to politicians who would advocate for young voters.

Smith is not intimidated by what he says is likely a stronger Democratic presence at Penn State.

"I think sometimes Republicans make up more of a silent majority," Smith said.

Sean Meloy, president of Penn State College Democrats, described Smith as a "nice guy," echoing Smith's own description of Meloy.

"We're obviously working toward different causes, but we can identify with each other on what we have to do," Meloy said.

Andrew Natalo, president of Penn State Students for John McCain, said he and Smith share the same goal -- electing McCain -- and they work together closely.

Smith's leadership style is collective in that he aims to initiate conversation among other students, he added.

"He's an all-around great guy who's trying to do a lot of good things for the country," Natalo said.