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Dear C3 Texas Member President and/or Chancellor,
I wanted to write each of you personally to thank you for your continued investment in our state-wide coalition of folks dedicated to increasing retention rates via high impact service learning and civic engagement practices. I also want to alert you to a historic HB that was recently passed by The Honorable Dawnna Dukes: "HB 2910, coauthored by Rep. Dawnna Dukes, authorizes The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and post-secondary schools, to enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations. These organizations will assist the Board in identifying and implementing effective methods for increasing graduation rates. Economic success and development of the state depends on Texas students completing their degree requirements and graduating with a post secondary degree."
This is precisely what The Campus to Community Coalition of Texas [C3 Texas], a state-wide, 501 (c) 3, is doing in partnership with the University of Houston - Downtown campus. We have been sub-contracted on their STEM Scholars Learn to Serve program model,with funds from the Office of the Governor -- thank you Governor Perry. These Wagner-Peyser funds will enable us to provide STEM trainings to members of UHD's Natural Science faculty and STEMtastic student trainings to their STEM scholars ultimately, strengthening our economy by helping more students with STEM majors to succeed and graduate -- ready to contribute to our Texas economic well-being. Please keep the C3 Texas team in mind as a potential grant partner for your campus.
I also have several other favors to ask of you. C3 Texas wants very much to have your campus represented on our state-wide Collegiate Engagement and Advisory Councils. If you haven't done so already, please provide me with the name of your service learning and/or civic engagement director who, in turn, can help identify these individuals on your campus. We also need this talent to help recruit your student leaders to take our Texas Certification in Engagement, Leadership & Service. Launched last October, this historic free, online, 6-week, pass/fail TXCELS course is the first of its kind in the State of Texas -- available only to our members. If you are looking to give your students that extra edge of marketability and employ-ability upon graduation then be sure to encourage your Student Life Director to contact us for more information about this remarkable resume builder. And, another favor is that you also keep C3 Texas in mind as you prepare for the upcoming 2013 spring semester. The team is excited to bring our Sharing of Service Best Practices [SOSBP] curriculum to your campus - a hand's-on, 1-day training workshop for your entire faculty population. For example, Dr. George Wright, president of Prairie View A & M University and valued C3 Texas board member has already requested our presence at his campus this February 12, 2013 for a SOSBP day. The team is eager to share current trends and innovative best campus to community service learning partnerships with PVAMU plus, there is just so much to be said for the 1:1 interaction with faculty and students. As you may have gathered, we are only one phone call away. If you have special requests of C3 Texas or, perhaps, know of a campus that is not currently a member, contact us today! As the semester winds down to a close, I'd like to personally take this opportunity to thank you each for your continued confidence in our team and in our mission. We pride ourselves on delivering a hefty and robust return on your investment dollars so, if there is something you'd like to see us do better then let me know. It is my hope that you will pause take a moment to check our our newly revamped website - www.c3texas.org - we are constantly updating it so be sure to visit it periodically as well as our new online calendar. My second to last favor is that you encourage your faculty to submit manuscripts of your best campus to community partnerships to our Texas Journal of Random Acts of Service by Design and Connection. This is a wonderful way for your faculty to showcase your good works. And, finally, on the off-chance you haven't yet heard -- C3 Texas Advocacy Day at the State Capitol will be held on February 8, 2013. We are convening students and faculty from around our grand state to visit with members of the Texas legislature about the positive ramifications service learning has on retention rates but more importantly, the transformational outcomes it fosters in the community where your campus resides. Please help us to have a remarkable day by encouraging your campus to participate, and if your calendar permits, we'd love to have your presence as well. As always, it is a privilege to serve at the helm of an organization that has such a dedicated board of directors and team. Thank you for indulging my favor requests and I wish you all a lovely and joyous holiday season. Warmly and in service, Patricia patricia spencer potyka, ma executive director patricia@c3texas.org | 
