Christopher Burks never thought about becoming the vice president of a neighborhood association – until he showed up to vote on election day and realized nobody else was running for the position.

So, he wrote his own name in and with the help of a few votes from neighbors, became the second from the top at the Five Points South Neighborhood Association.

Burks’ new role will have to find a place alongside his academic coursework at American University in Washington D.C, where he seeks a doctorate, and his responsibilities as founder of local public policy consulting firm Urban Analysis.

Burks said he is up for the challenge and will use his various roles to pursue his passions of bringing accessible public transportation to the metro and establishing a “true democracy.”

Questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity.