The November elections are rapidly approaching, and the tasks are becoming more numerous and stressful for party leaders on campus. While some might buckle under this tremendous pressure, College Democrat President Katie Hartwell takes it all in stride.

“Katie is the embodiment of the type of leader that we need running these type of organizations,” said David Lewandowski, the Regional Campaign Coordinator for US Senate contender Eric Fingerhut. “She brings a passion to the organization that is tempered with drive and professionalism.”

Lewandowski explains, “She is able to shepherd in all these young emotions, all these people that want to be active and focus it into an area that needs to be dealt with.”

Hartwell, 21, is no stranger to leadership roles here on campus. She has been a Resident Advisor at Harshman-Anderson for the last two years and has given the experience a lot of credit for her strong leadership.

“Being a resident advisor has really helped me prepare on how to get people organized,” she said. “It also has helped me do things in a constructive manner.”

It was last year during the Democratic primaries when Hartwell became very interested in playing a major role in the organization.

“The primary season really pulled me in and got me involved,” Hartwell said. “I really felt passionate about getting John Kerry elected, and I really couldn’t see myself not doing anything and being an idle member.”She explained, “I really wanted to take charge and take the bull by the horns and get out and do something.”

Hartwell feels very strongly about her support for the democratic party and the values they uphold.

“The two main issues that are important to me are gay rights and women’s rights, and these are two key issues that pulled me to the democratic party.” Hartwell explains. “Having a lot of gay friends and also being a woman myself, I think those are the most important issues to me.”

During her time so far as president of College Democrats, she has dedicated her time to expanding the membership of the group.

“I wanted to have a more visible presence on campus, and really make sure the campus knew that the College Democrats are an active organization that is doing something,” Hartwell said.

The group itself, which has been seen frequently at the Union trying to get people to register to vote, will become even more noticeable as the election closes in.

“We will be doing a lot of phone banking and going door-to-door trying to get people to go to the polls and vote for John Kerry and John Edwards,” she said.

However, the efforts of the democratic party extends out even farther than the presidential election, as issues and other candidates at the local level are also major priorities for Hartwell.

“Whenever I need her help with the Fingerhut campaign, she is always ready to organize and mobilize,” Lewandowski said. “She also helps our campaign hear about what is going on in the student body, and what they need.”

Hartwell has also made a very strong effort to make internal relationships between the various members much more fluid and enjoyable.

“She is so approachable that it is very easy to have five people or a hundred people in this organization and still be able to have the great communication that we have right now,” said Maria Khoury, the Secretary for the College Democrats. “We all know each other in this group, and that is in part because of Katie, who has organized various social meetings during the year. “

However, the one point that notably stands out in Hartwell’s leadership is her engaging personality that has made the group meetings much more fun and interactive.

“I think her best quality is the fact that she is so personable. She doesn’t get up and just lecture,” Khoury said. “She engages people and is very approachable. She is a good strong leader without being a tyrant.”

For Hartwell, this is exactly what she stresses her leadership is all about.

“I like to hear other people’s opinions, and I think that makes me an effective leader,” Hartwell said. “I really feed off other people and what they are telling me.”

Her self-proclaimed laid back personality has rubbed off on the rest of the group and has proved to be a very effective approach in her eyes.

“The meetings are laid back, which is what brings people in and keeps them here,” she said.