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Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

2008 Update: The Carnegie Foundation has announced the call for applications for the 2008 Community Engagement Classification.

The Community Engagement Classification has arrived in recognition of higher education's commitment to community engagement. Drawing its criteria heavily from Campus Compact's Indicators of Engagement Project, the new classification reaffirms institutional commitment to deepen the practice of service and to further strengthen bonds between campus and community.

The new Community Engagement classification us[ed] insights about outstanding practices from ... The efforts of major national groups or organizations [including] Campus Compact's study and publication of the indicators of community engagement at community colleges. Driscoll, Amy. (2006.) "The Benchmarking Potential of the New Carnegie Classification: Community Engagement."
In B. Holland & J. Meeropol (Eds.), A More Perfect Vision: The Future of Campus Engagement. Providence, RI: Campus Compact.

What is the Community Engagement Classification?

Carnegie Classifications comprise a leading framework for describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. The Community Engagement Classification is an elective classification for which institutions may voluntarily apply to be listed.

Carnegie defines Community Engagement as the collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.

The Community Engagement Classification was initiated in 2005 as a pilot classification, and there are 3 categories of the classification:

  • Curricular Engagement
  • Outreach & Partnerships
  • Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnerships

Which institutions are listed?

76 institutions were chosen in the first classification, 68 of which are Campus Compact members. A complete list of institutions is available on the Carnegie Foundation web site.

View selected applications from Campus Compact member institutions.

Visit The Carnegie Foundation's web site for application information.

We believe it's important for all universities to take up the mantle of community engagement and we practice what we preach. Last year, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching selected the University of South Florida as one of 76 universities in the nation that are most engaged with their local communities. We are the only Florida university to receive this classification and one of only 10 across the country recognized for documented excellence in the areas of community outreach and research productivity. Judy Genshaft, President, University of South Florida
Community Engagement a Key Role for 21st Century Universities