The Carnegie Elective Classifications recognize colleges and universities that demonstrate extraordinary commitments to their public purpose.
Unlike the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which includes the Institutional Classification, Research Activity Designations, and Student Access and Earnings Classification, campuses voluntarily pursue elective designations through an evidence-based application process that examines how their institutional policies and practices reflect those commitments. To view and download a list of campuses that currently hold an Elective Classification, please visit the Institution Search.
While the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching sponsors the elective classifications and the American Council on Education manages the central office, each of the three Carnegie Elective Classifications is administered and operated by a host institution.
Elective Classification for Community Engagement
The University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) administers the Elective Classification for Community Engagement, with the next classification in 2029. It recognizes colleges and universities that have institutionalized community engagement throughout their campus.
Kathryn Kelly is the Assistant Dean of Assessment and Accreditation at the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at University of San Diego, where she manages the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement.
Contact her at [email protected].
Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose
Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders administers the Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose. The 2027 cycle is currently underway. It recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an institution-wide commitment to developing ethical leadership capacity in service of the public good through coordinated policies, practices, and programs.
Carla Ortega Santori is the Strategic Initiatives Manager at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, where she manages the Carnegie Elective Classification in Leadership for Public Purpose.
Contact her at [email protected].
Elective Classification for Sustainability
The University of Colorado Boulder administers the Elective Classification for Sustainability and has launched its first classification cycle for 2027. It is designed to recognize and celebrate institutions that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and climate action as integral to their academic missions.
Amy Halvorson serves as the Director for Sustainability at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she manages the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability.
Contact her at [email protected].
Each host campus can offer specialized guidance and resources to help colleges and universities understand the framework, prepare their documentation, and navigate future application cycles. If you have questions about an individual elective classification, please reach out to the appropriate host institution using the contact information above.