Still think of California University of Pennsylvania as a teacher's college?

Don't. It's the fastest growing state school in Pennsylvania, boasting a 10-year growth rate of nearly 45 percent and Internet-based programs for working adults and active-duty military personnel.

And now, the university, tucked into the tiny borough of California in the Mon Valley, is becoming known for something quite different: It's churning out young mayors faster than NFL quarterbacks (think local legends Joe Namath, John Unitas, Joe Montana, Dan Marino) -- a real accomplishment here.

Washington & Jefferson College has its claim to fame with former place kicker and 2003 honors graduate Luke Ravenstahl, now the youngest mayor of Pittsburgh.

Will the four student-mayors recently produced by Cal U make an appearance on the David Letterman show or steer a $446 million budget, as did Mr. Ravenstahl?

That remains to be seen; but the university can count its students as some of the most politically ambitious.

Last month, two undergraduates were sworn in as mayors of nearby boroughs.

Ryan Belski, 21, a junior sport management major, is the new mayor of Rices Landing, a borough with about 400 residents in Greene County.

Courtney Geller, 22, is a senior criminal justice major and the youngest person elected to public office in Deemston, a borough of about 800 in southeastern Washington County.

The pair, both sworn in to four-year terms, are following in the footsteps of two other young mayors from Cal U: Casey Durdines, 24, a 2007 graduate who is beginning his second term as the mayor of California Borough, and the university's current director of veterans affairs, Robert Prah Jr., 27, who graduated in 2006 and served as mayor of Smithton Borough in Westmoreland County from 2006 to 2009.

Ms. Geller and Mr. Belski did not campaign together and only recently met.

"It's great to see youth, and especially Cal U students, taking an active role in their local government," said Mr. Durdines, who has offered to meet with his younger colleagues and provide advice.

Mr. Belski eventually wants to get into the resort management business, but for now he's focused on demolishing dilapidated buildings, fixing roads and addressing natural gas drilling in Rices Landing.

The 2007 Jefferson-Morgan High School graduate was encouraged to run by former Mayor Brad Kline, who did not seek re-election, and by Dr. Roy Yarbrough, his college adviser and chair of the university's Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies.

"I decided maybe I could run and make a difference," said Mr. Belski, who also works as a Greene County first responder while holding down a part-time job in the university's information technology department and studying to become an emergency medical technician.

Such a schedule -- he also works the weekly bingo game for the Rices Landing Volunteer Fire Department and volunteers at the local Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church -- leaves little room for a social life.

"My weekends, I sleep in; that's pretty much how I catch up on my sleep," he said.

Like his parents, Tom and Donna Belski, Mr. Belski is a lifelong Democrat.

Although he defeated Democratic opponent Faye Guseman in the primary election, she received enough votes to challenge him on the Republican ticket.

Mr. Belski pledged not to spend more than $250 on the election and launched a door-to-door campaign. He said the strategy helped him get to know residents and their concerns. In the end, he spent a total of $233 on campaign signs.

His father served briefly as a local councilman, and Mr. Belski said he wouldn't rule out a career in politics just yet.

"I've been thinking one day I'd like to run for county commissioner or even state representative," he said.

Dr. Yarbrough said he believed that Mr. Belski would be a good leader.

Ms. Geller, also a Democrat, has politics in her blood. Her father, John Gunchuck, is a Deemston councilman, while her mom, Susie Gunchuck, serves as a local judge of elections.

Ms. Geller said she wasn't sure how she would fare as a female politician, but said she took her cue from 24-year incumbent Mayor Cathleen Harasty, who did not seek reelection.

Her first order of business after taking the oath of office? Swearing in her father to a new four-year term on the seven-member council.

"I guess this is my opportunity to get my foot in the door," said Ms. Geller, who decided to run after no other resident stepped forward. "I just thought this would be something interesting to do, to broaden my experiences."

Ms. Geller plans to graduate in May and marry fiancé Michael Kubicar the following month. She hopes to pursue a career in juvenile probation, and said she would return her mayoral salary of about $368 a year to the borough.

"I have a lot to accomplish," she said.

The 2006 Bethlehem Center High School graduate said Deemston does not have many businesses or even a traffic light, but that she still hoped to improve the lot of residents, less than 14 percent of whom graduated from college.

"We don't have many issues," said Ms. Geller, who doubts that she will pursue politics beyond Deemston though she hopes to leave a positive impression.

Random drug testing of borough employees is among Ms. Geller's duties, and council also has asked her to start a town website.

Dr. John Cencich, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, said Ms. Geller has always been special.

"Courtney was a great student, and I always knew she would be successful," he said.

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