US College Students: ‘We Can’t Afford More National Debt’

NEW YORK, March 18, 2025 /3BL/ - As the President and Congress face critical fiscal policy decisions, college students across America are raising their voices to find solutions to the $36 trillion and rising national debt. Students on campuses across the country participated in the 13^th annual Up to Us competition, in which students build campaigns to raise awareness and drive engagement to build a brighter economic future.

Student leaders from Central Texas College took home the top prize for their creative campaign, which included 14 days of action across campus, bringing together nearly 1,000 of their peers. The 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 – as well as a “Financial Festival” — where attendees learned about topics like taxes, budgeting, and credit to improve their financial literacy.

The team maximized student reach 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 conducted outreach to Congress across multiple channels to emphasize the next generation’s growing concern over the national debt. Outreach efforts were coordinated with timely legislative discussions, including budget negotiations, 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. “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. Up to Us leaders have engaged and empowered over 500,000 students on hundreds of campuses across the country to address U.S. fiscal challenges. Participants have gone on to work in policy, public service, and journalism.

“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.

The top 10 finalists from this year’s campus competition are:

1. Central Texas College

2. Stony Brook University

3. Bethune Cookman University-Jules*

4. University of Notre Dame

5. St. Francis College

6. Miami Dade College-Marcos Pedro*

7. Spring Hill College*

8. Southeastern Louisiana University

9. Bethune Cookman University-Dameron*

10. University of Texas, Austin

*Campuses with multiple teams

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About Up to Us 
Up to Us is a nonpartisan nationwide college initiative that empowers young Americans leaders to let policymakers know they are concerned about and committed to addressing the nation’s fiscal challenges. Since 2012, Up to Us has created a groundswell of student leaders who have engaged and empowered more than 500,000 of their peers toward a more prosperous fiscal future. Established by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, in partnership with Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) and Net Impact, Up to Us provides the opportunity for students to build a movement to raise awareness and engagement on America’s fiscal challenges.