A 2000 Boston University graduate is hoping to become the first minority mayor of Fitchburg in the city’s 243-year history, though she says she is only tentatively optimistic because of her Asian roots.

“My parents and my culture taught me to work very hard in everything that you do, but also to maintain a close relationship with your family and community,” said Lisa Wong, 28, who graduated from BU in three years with dual degrees in economics and international relations.

Wong, a Massachusetts native and daughter of Chinese immigrants, graduated from North Andover High School and has since made Fitchburg her home. After BU, Wong traveled and then took a job in Fitchburg a year after graduating.

Wong said she has sought change on a global and local scale in Fitchburg, a town outside Boston, since graduation.

“Being young gives me a fresh perspective and energy to put into the race and plans for Fitchburg,” she said. “Traditionally, it has been defined as an old mill town, and I am seeking to redefine it culturally, commercially and financially.

“The experience of incredible diversity of ideas, people and academic disciplines at BU were an inspiration to me in my goals for the city,” she added.

Fitchburg, a town with paper mills along the Nashua River, has seen an economic and cultural downturn with the growth of other industries. As the next potential mayor of the city, Wong has plans for change.

“It reminds me of the Charles River Esplanade I walked and rollerbladed on while I was a student at BU,” she said. “Everyone should be able to enjoy the river as much as I did the Charles by walking in the Riverfront Park or kayaking.”

Wong worked for the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority for five years and has seen the success of her restoration projects in the city, particularly the development of the Riverfront Park.

Wong said the river is a potential source for economic and physical development in the city and has a plan to clean it up so Riverfront property will be more attractive to businesses and homebuyers, generating more income.

Wong hopes to create an environment in Fitchburg similar to the one she enjoyed at BU, in which Fitchburg State College will be integrated into the city and students and residents alike will be free to explore their intellect and curiosities.

The recognition of potential in Fitchburg has been a large platform for Wong’s campaign, and Committee to Elect Lisa Wong employees have been discussing the promise for progress that they see in the city.

“[Wong and I are] on the same page and . . . this would be a great chance to not only work with [her] but to push the ball rolling for change in the city,” said campaign field director Melissa Ray in an email.

Two of Wong’s prominent opponents are current Mayor Dan Mylott, a Republican, and long-term city councilor Thomas Donnelly, a Fitchburg native, who says on his website he wants to meet as many Fitchburg residents as possible.

“For over 30 years, I have been involved with neighborhood improvement and clean up efforts, as well as the day to day work of supporting my family in Fitchburg,” Donnelly says on his site. “I understand the concerns you and other residents have about fiscal stability and protecting our neighborhoods.”

Wong’s campaign has also taken a door-to-door approach – she has contacted about 2,000 city residents to listen to their concerns.

Campaign organizational manager Gary Sorila, a longtime resident of Fitchburg, said he appreciates Wong’s efforts.

“I made sure to let her know that I would like to support her as much as possible because I believe she will have a huge impact in both the short term and the long term on the situation in Fitchburg,” he said.