Hulsman accepted into Indiana Democratic Party’s Emerging Leaders Project

Andrea Hulsman is learning how to become a political leader.

The 33-year-old mother of three children was just accepted into the Indiana Emerging Leaders Project. In its fourth year now, the program is designed to develop leaders in the Indiana Democratic Party. She is the only applicant from Dubois County taking part in this year’s class.

“I thought this may be a good first step into the community spotlight as something more than a mom, youth director and coach, which is what most people know me for,” she said in an email.

Participants in the project have demonstrated the potential and interest in becoming elected officials, campaign staff and party leaders in Indiana for the Democratic Party. Hulsman was chosen for the program from 100s of applicants in the State of Indiana.

Despite never having ran or been elected to a political office Hulsman is still passionate about her community and political issues.

She became involved with the Dubois County Democrats after a member noted her activity on a Facebook page she had created regarding local political issues during the 2012 election season.

“I got involved in opposing our cities decision to convert a non-operating power plant into a biomass plant,” she said.

Now, she will be taking part in the Emerging Leaders program with 39 other selectees for the next year. “I am elated to have been selected for the Emerging Leaders Program,” she said.

According to Hulsman, she has held many leadership roles in her lifetime but not in the local or state government. The Emerging Leaders Project will help her learn and transition into those future positions. “The thought of running for any office at any level is very intimidating to me and the reason it remains just a thought or dream of mine,” she explained. “I need the knowledge, resources and networking that the Emerging Leaders Project has to offer to get my foot in the door.”

Hulsman graduated from Jasper High School in 2000. She and her husband Jason have three children; Jackson, Harrison and Lillian. Hulsman works as the youth director at Trinity United Church of Christ in Jasper and for the Greater Jasper Consolidated School District.

At the moment, Hulsman is passionate about the development of what is being called the Jasper Culture Center — the redevelopment of the Hoosier Desk site into a collaborative building hosting the Jasper Arts Department and the Jasper Public Library.

“I would really like to see this project completed. We’ve really made some wonderful improvements to our community in the past decade,” she said. “I want to continue pushing forward with this trend. Not many communities would have a cultural center on the top of their priority list.”