Jack Pavia, SPA/BA ’26, is experiencing a countdown to commencement that looks very different from that of his peers at American University.

While most seniors are solely focused on wrapping up classes, preparing for final exams, and soaking up the final days of their college experience, the 21-year-old political science major is also busy campaigning for public office.

Last month, Pavia announced his candidacy for the District 142 seat in the Connecticut State House, representing his hometown of Norwalk and New Canaan. His decision to run has turned his final days on campus into a rigorous balancing act between finishing his coursework in DC and campaigning back home in the Constitution State.

“I’ve always been someone who believes if you care about something, you’ll make time for it,” Pavia said.

Pavia saw an opportunity to get involved when the incumbent Democratic representative, Lucy Dathen, announced her candidacy for State Senate District 26. In an era of political cynicism—particularly among young people—Pavia aims to lead with optimism.

“When I think about what makes this district, what makes our state, what makes the country great, it’s a trust in each other,” he said. “[It’s] this idea of a social contract, that we can bet on one another to follow through. . . I just see a real opportunity to create a new hope in a system that a lot of people feel is failing them.”

Pavia is part of a significant surge in Generation Z candidates. This year, the United States has seen a 170 percent increase in Gen Z lawmakers taking office at the local, state, and national levels, according to Future Caucus.  

Pavia’s desire to make a difference in government was fostered at AU. After transferring from Dickinson College as a sophomore, he was drawn to AU’s civically engaged environment in the nation’s capital.

“Whether it be politics or not, the people—students and faculty—at AU really care,” Pavia said. “There’s this feeling that they want to build something larger than themselves.”

To power his campaign, Pavia is tapping into a coalition of fellow Eagles.

Pavia’s roommate, Ethan Kaufmann, SOC/BA ’26, took his campaign heads and helped film his campaign launch video, which outlines his platform. Other friends have served as a sounding board to help Pavia hone his message and strategy.

Graphic design student and friend Sarah Newman, CAS/BA ’26, helped Pavia flesh out his campaign’s visual identity. She helped him select a blue and yellow color palette and integrate the district’s outline into his logo.

Newman said the network of students supporting Pavia is “very AU.”

“We always joke about the ‘wonk’ culture, but we all care very deeply about this—and we also care a lot about Jack,” she said. “We all knew that someday he might run for something, but we didn’t think it would be right now. Having the opportunity to collaborate and help him succeed is really cool.”

For Pavia, his campaign serves as proof that “politics are not a solo affair.” While graduation is just around the corner, it only marks the beginning of a busy summer leading up to Connecticut’s Democratic primary on August 11.

“It’s going to be lots of door knocking [and] organizing people,” he said. “But honestly, the thing I love most about this entire thing is having the excuse to talk to a lot of interesting people.”