Junior Anttimo Bennett is running unopposed for director of community relations. As the president of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, a member of the Western Region Board of Directors and co-chair of the Ethnic Cultural Center, Bennett embraces leadership responsibilities and said he hopes these past experiences will enable him to be the best potential director of community relations.

Bennett received his GED in 2000 and attended Shoreline Community College, where he was a part of the Black Student Union. During the winter of his sophomore year, he transferred to the UW, where he is double-majoring in social work and American ethnic studies with a minor in diversity studies.

"I have definitely taken a different path than most people," he said.

It was through this different path, however, that Bennett learned to empathize with other students who are in the same position he was in just a year ago.

"I would like to create a transfer student caucus," he said. "I would like a resource available to transfer students so they are not quite as overwhelmed as I was when I got here. Luckily, I had my fraternity, so that helped, but not everybody has that."

Gradually, Bennett became involved in various organizations and committees.

"I decided to get involved; I did not want to waste my college experience," he said. "Not everyone is going to do that, though. We have to show students that there are worthwhile and important activities they can be involved in."

While pursuing opportunities in the Student Advisory Board with Tyson Johnston, candidate for director of diversity efforts, Bennett joined the "Our Campus" ticket and set out to run for director of community relations.

"There is not enough outreach and information available," he said. "I want to reach out to commuters, transfer students and the Greek system and hopefully get them more involved. I also want people to get more involved in Homecoming and the Dawg Sled competition."

Bennett also expressed pride in the "Our Campus" ticket.

"It is very encompassing," he said. "We have Greeks and non-Greeks, people of different races, gender and sexual orientation, commuters and transfers and students in residence halls, too — all different kinds of people who bring all different kinds of ideas."

The old adage that "you can bring a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" seems to be a repeated theme in this year's ASUW elections. Many candidates would like greater involvement from students, and Bennett is no exception.

"Quench your thirst," he encouraged.

According to Bennett's campaign Web site, he wants to "ensure that students have a positive experience while at [the] UW."

This is in keeping with his long-term goal.

"I want to let people know what is available to them, and [I] want people to get excited about being a Husky," he said.

Reach reporter Garrett Troy at news@thedaily.washington.edu.