CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE STUDENTS PLACE FIFTH IN NATION FOR AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON U.S. DEBT

 Net Impact student leaders shared strategies with policymakers in Washington and New York

KILLEEN, TX — A fiscal-debt awareness campaign by Central Texas College students was chosen as one of the top five in the U.S. recently, and the students are in the running for additional accolades.

Central Texas College students Christina Strophus and Cody Chambers topped most of the nation with their Up to Us campaign to raise awareness of the national debt and advocate for a more manageable federal budget. The competition was sponsored by Net Impact, a national student organization dedicated to creating a new generation of leaders to build a more sustainable future.

As a result of this school year’s campaign and their subsequent essay, Strophus and Chambers earned all-expense paid trips to Washington and New York, where they met with leaders including Chelsea Clinton and Michael A. Peterson, CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. 

The next chapter for CTC’s Net Impact will be written tomorrow as students host economic-themed events on Tuesday in an effort to drive additional conversations. The Up to Us Carnival and Tax Feud competitions will be 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  Tuesday, April 16 in Anderson Campus Center. 

A successful event could mean that CTC will earn the right to participate in the group’s community action summit in Detroit in June.

“This is a huge accomplishment for a community college,” said Dr. Chastity Clemons, business professor and Net Impact adviser. “We not only won $1,000 and trips, but both of the students got to meet with Dr. Chelsea Clinton and participated in a round table discussion with her.”

It’s all about securing a seat at the table for the next generation, Peterson said.

“Students on America’s college campuses are part of a growing chorus for action on the debt that includes the vast majority of voters from both parties,” Peterson said. “These young leaders have an essential voice in the policy debate about the future economy they will inherit.” 

Strophus said she and Chambers were able to discuss with national leaders how they can engage young people.

“This was an amazing opportunity,” said Strophus, who serves as president of CTC’s Net Impact chapter. “I know with the connections I made during both trips, I will be able to shine as a leader in Net Impact and in my future career.”

The Top-10 finalists from this year’s campus competition were: 

● University of Notre Dame 

● Berea College 

● Miami Dade College

● Stony Brook University 

● Central Texas College 

● Lone Star College Tomball 

● University of Denver 

● Mesa Community College 

● Florida International University 

● Southeastern Louisiana University