Community Engagement

What is Community Engagement?

Community engagement describes 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 purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching, and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.

The 2024 Carnegie Community Engagement Classified campuses have been announced. The full list of currently classified schools can be found in our press release.

How to Apply – 2029 Cycle

THE 2029 CYCLE

After the 2026 cycle is completed, we will shift to a 3-year application cycle, with the next application taking place in 2029. The structure is as follows:

Framework Released & Applications Available: January 25, 2027
Purchase/Initiate an Application by: November 8, 2027
Application deadline: April 3, 2028
Campuses notified: December 2028
Public Announcement: January 2029

What data can be used in the application?

In the 2029 cycle, campuses can use data from both AY 2024-25, AY 2025-26, and AY 2026-2027 if they will have had time to assess and understand the data.

Although 2026-27 data may be available, not all campuses will have been able to assess and make sense of that data. Campuses will be welcome to use more recent data (2026-27) in the application, if they will have had the time to understand the outcomes and impacts of the data and believe it will offer a better representation of their campus.

The application will ask to indicate the data year(s) within the application questions.

Current Classified Campuses

A listing of campuses receiving classification in 2024 can be found here.

A listing of all campuses currently classified can be found here.

A listing of all campuses classified from 2006 to the present can be found here.

ACE Engage

As a means to bring together individuals who are leading community engagement efforts on their campuses and applying for the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, we have created an online forum for applicants on a platform called ACE Engage. We are excited about this platform as a tool to connect, share resources, and discuss best practices for enacting and communicating community engagement.

What is ACE Engage?

ACE Engage is an online platform sponsored by the American Council on Education that acts as a hybrid social media and learning management platform.

What will the online forum include?

The Carnegie Elective Classifications team will post interactive content to support campuses that are currently or preparing to apply for the Elective Classification for Community Engagement. Some offerings will include:

Discussion posts
Monthly webinars
Informal Q&A sessions
Repository of resources related to the classification

This forum is intended to support you, which means that the content can also be created by you! Post a question, share a resource, or create group chats to connect with colleagues.

Who can join and how do I get started?

Anyone who is working in community engagement and has interest in preparing for the Elective Classification for Community Engagement may join the forum. Unlimited members of your team may participate.

Contact Us

For more information, or if you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].