MARQUETTE, Mich.—Northern Michigan University is one of 20 campus sites in the United States and Jamaica selected to host Elect Her – Campus Women Win 2011, a training program that teaches collegiate students how to run for and win student government positions. The NMU event will be held on Saturday, March 19, in the Charcoal Room of the University Center. Registration and continental breakfast begins at 10 a.m. The free half-day program runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“Elect Her is designed to train students to become qualified candidates for political office,” said Kaylee Place, student liaison for the NMU Elect Her – Campus Women Win project.  “It also gives students the opportunity to interact with current and past elected officials from their area. Even if you are not interested in running for office at this time, or you do not know what the future may hold, you will not be disappointed by Elect Her. By hearing from former candidates and current elected leaders, you will gain the tools you can use to run for local, state and federal office. The confidence you acquire will enable you to literally be the change you wish to see.”

The American Association of University Women and Running Start, a national organization dedicated to educating and inspiring young women to participate in politics and run for office, have collaborated since 2007 to encourage college women to run for student government. The effort is already showing results as Elect Her participant evaluations from nine 2010 campus sites showed nearly double the number of students planning to run for student government or for political office after college.

“Through Elect Her – Campus Women Win, AAUW is encouraging young women to see themselves as the next generation of political leaders,” said AAUW Executive Director Linda Hallman. “This program has given us the privilege to work with some incredible young women who want to change the world.”

Added Susannah Wellford Shakow president of Running Start, "The experience these women gain is the very best training for running for office later in life.”

For more details on the conference, go to www.nmu.edu/electher.