The president of Black Hills State University's student senate had one thing to say when she heard how few women there are in state-government leadership roles:

"Wow."

Women are well-represented in the student governments of the state universities, so it's surprising for them that there aren't as many older women involved on the state level.

The number of women serving in state legislatures nationwide has leveled off after growth in the 1980s and 1990s. One group studying the issue, the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, says two things are needed to continue the growth: developing a pipeline of women candidates, and actively recruiting them to run.

High school and college student government is a big part of that pipeline. Women student government leaders say the experience trains them in public speaking, self-confidence, consensus-building and leadership. But as they plan their own careers, they see how work and family derail women's plans for holding elected office.

Her involvement in a high school current-events club helped Kelly Kirk, BHSU student senate president, learn to develop an argument and support it with evidence - a key skill for a lawmaker.

At college, where she is now studying history and political science, she was eager to join the student government but admits it was a little intimidating at first.

"You never wanted to sound like a dumb freshman," she said. But recruitment from other students helped give her the confidence to run, and now, she represents her fellow students on issues such as the university's new student center and recent legislative issues such as the West River higher education center and the debate over funding for new science laboratories.

Kirk also represents BHSU at state Board of Regents meetings, where she interacts with other college student-body presidents. This year, the student presidents of BHSU, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, University of South Dakota and Northern State University are all women.

Mariah Tooley, senior class president at the male-dominated School of Mines, also said recruiting helped her decide to run for student office.

"I was excited, but I was nervous," she said. "Starting out the first meeting, I always felt like, 'Uh, I don't know if I should say anything; I don't know if I have an opinion.'"

But work on the student body's committees gave her confidence to speak her mind. She has observed that men and women have a different way of working together in groups: Women are concerned about the details and are more delicate in how they approach sensitive topics, she said. Men are bolder and don't seem to get their feelings hurt in a heated discussion, Tooley said.

She believes women might be less likely to run for office after they had suffered a defeat, but a man might persevere.

"In South Dakota, with the more traditional mindset we have here, we may say it's more of a man's job to make the laws," Tooley said.

In the small town where she grew up as the fourth of five girls, she observed a male mayor and his female secretary.

But even on the School of Mines campus, it seems men in Tooley's generation have little problem with working with women on an equal playing field.

Marcus Bartlett, an industrial engineering student who will be the student government president next year, said women are very active on campus and make up 37 percent of student senators, compared to only 29 percent of the study body on campus.

"Everyone contributes the same," he said. "I think we're all on an equal playing field here. Everyone contributes just as much, so I don't think there's any clear gender boundaries."

He works side by side with senate president Melanie Satchell, a science major who conducts fast-paced, no-nonsense senate meetings using her gavel and her polished public-speaking skills.

With plans to go to law school, Satchell may eventually run for higher office.

"I would love to see more women involved in (politics), and I'm up for helping get that done," Satchell said.

But it probably won't happen right away.

"Traditionally, the place for a woman after a post-secondary degree is, generally, maybe work in industry for a couple of years, but then start to settle down and have a family."

Satchell said serving in student government in high school and college really "broke the ice" and prepared her for future leadership roles. She encourages other young women to participate.

Kirk, at BHSU, said those who want to see more women in politics can raise awareness of the need and recruit women to participate, explaining what the commitment involves.

"I'm guessing if people know that, they would find they're more qualified than they think," she said.