This story first appeared in the fall 2018 issue of the Concordian, the official magazine of Concordia University Wisconsin.
When Trey Mitchell announced last spring his decision to run for Sheboygan’s 9th district aldermanic seat, he initially received a few raised eyebrows.
Mitchell, who was 22 at the time, didn’t let it slow him down. He wasn’t going to let the fact that he was less than a year out of college deter his passion for public service.
In April 2018, he won the vote and became the youngest alderman in Sheboygan history—or at least he’s believed to be the youngest since the mid-1800s, the earliest available records in the city’s annals.
The response to his victory has been well received, says Mitchell. Apart from a few good-natured jokes about him being younger than some aldermen’s grandchildren, his age was hardly even addressed at his first Common Council session.
“I went into it thinking I would have to make a really strong case for why I would be qualified for this position despite my age,” says Mitchell. “I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn’t necessary. I think most people really liked the idea of a newer perspective coming in.”
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Mitchell, who graduated from Concordia in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in political science, says his interest in politics began at Concordia after his freshman year roommate turned him on to former President George W. Bush’s autobiography, “Decision Points.”
“I initially came into Concordia feeling that politics was bigger than me,” Mitchell says. “I have a pretty antithetical view from that now. I can see now how important politics is to us in our everyday lives. It’s definitely not too large. If you want to get involved, you really can make a difference.”
Throughout his four years at Concordia, Mitchell took on an assortment of leadership positions: he served as a resident assistant and chief student officer for Concordia’s Student Government Association, and he started Concordia’s first intercollegiate ultimate Frisbee team.
In addition to his city government duties, he currently works as a programmer at Acuity. “I think if there’s one piece of advice I’ve gathered from my experience it’s this: If you’re passionate about something, you should never let doubt or the obstacles in your way stop you from pursuing it,” says Mitchell.
That advice has clearly worked in his favor.
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The fall Concordian hit mailboxes the week of October 1. View a PDF version of the magazine here. If you are not on our mailing list, but are interested in receiving a free copy, call 262-243-4333.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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