Central Texas College Net Impact Chapter Wins BIG

Killeen, TX- Central Texas College Net Impact Chapter wins 1st Place in the Nation in the 13^th Annual Up to Us Competition

Student leaders from Central Texas College Net Impact Chapter placed first out of over 50 undergraduate and graduate chapters across the nation. Their winning campaign featured classroom presentations, social media efforts and events including the Debt Defenders Superhero Summit, where students had the opportunity to manage mock national budget scenarios as superheroes. Additionally, they hosted a Financial Festival where attendees learned about topics including taxes, budgeting, and credit to improve their financial literacy.

“At Central Texas College we are thrilled that our CTC Net Impact Chapter won first place at nationals. However, more importantly, we are proud of our students’ commitment to civic engagement,” said Chancellor Dr. Michele Carter.

The team maximized student outreach through on-campus strategic partnerships with a diverse array of organizations, such as the Math and Engineering Club, the Writers Guild, and the Dance Team. Participants also focused the next generation’s growing concern over the national debt during a recent trip to the Texas State Capitol for Community College Day. Outreach efforts were coordinated with timely legislative discussions, to maximize impact.

“Our team brought together students from across campus with unique and passionate perspectives, but one thing that we all have in common is that the national debt affects our future,” said Christina Strohfus, Central Texas College team leader and Net Impact President. “By blending education with collaborative action, our initiative created a platform where diverse voices could explore and promote solutions to the nation’s debt challenges among current lawmakers and future leaders. In the end, our coalition has made it clear that we can’t afford more debt and elected officials need to stabilize the budget outlook.”

Up to Us, a nonpartisan initiative established in 2012 by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, in partnership with Net Impact and the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU), offers the next generation of civic leaders with resources and training to unify their fellow students under the banner of advocating for a more prosperous and inclusive economic future.

“Central Texas College’s winning team and all of this year’s participants did an excellent job coming together to engage their peers and help move our nation toward a more sustainable future,” said Michael A. Peterson, CEO of the nonpartisan Peter G. Peterson Foundation. “These young leaders have an irreplaceable voice in today’s policy debate, and we need their energy and ideas to successfully build a stronger fiscal and economic future for the next generation.”

The winning Central Texas College team will receive a $10,000 prize and invitations to Clinton Global Initiative University events.

Net Impact Announces Central Texas College the 2024 Chapter of the Year Winner

Each year, Net Impact recognizes outstanding chapters that inspire and equip emerging leaders to build a more just and sustainable world. These finalist chapters have demonstrated immense impact in their communities by reaching ambitious goals, hosting meaningful events, and educating their peers about exciting and timely social impactful initiatives. This year, Central Texas College was awarded the 2024 U.S. Undergraduate Chapter of the Year.

This year’s winning chapters were chosen based on their leadership, community service, and commitment to Net Impact’s values. Each of these chapters exhibited extraordinary contributions to building the responsible business and social impact communities within their higher education institutions and their cities around the globe.

Finalist chapters submitted videos and reports detailing their accomplishments, which included teaching entrepreneurship skills to over 50 children with on-campus lemonade stand workshops and helped raise 1,300 pounds of donated food for the CTC Eagles Nest Food Pantry.