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?
In 2008, 119 institutions received the Community Engagement classification, of which 104 were Campus Compact members. In the prior round, 68 out of 76 institutions receiving the classification were Campus Compact members. A complete list of institutions is available on the Carnegie website.
Visit The Carnegie Foundation’s web site for application information.
