The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification allows universities to demonstrate their commitment to the communities they serve and to share good practice in the sector.
The classification was first offered in 2006 and and has been the leading framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement in US higher education for the past 13 years. The Swearer Center at Brown University became the administrative and research host institution for the classification in January 2017.
It is an elective classification. Participating universities conduct a self-study to capture a full picture of the various elements of institutional commitment to community engagement. This involves data collection and documentation of important aspects of institutional mission, identity and commitments, and requires substantial effort invested by participating institutions.
The classification framework represents best practices in the field, and encourages continuous improvement through periodic re-classification.
A total of 361 institutions in the US are currently classified as Carnegie Community Engaged Campuses.
International pilot programs have been, or are in the process of being implemented in Ireland, Canada and now Australia.
“The opportunity to collectively forge an Australian community engagement classification through a world-leading framework is a game changer for higher education in Australia. Enhanced ability to benchmark, reward, incentivise and achieve scaled impact will enable and drive the critical mission of universities as institutions in service of society.”
Verity Firth, Executive Director, Social Justice, UTS.
The Carnegie Foundation describes the purpose of community engagement as the partnership of 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.
“This process will really help to lift our standards of community participation and engagement and in turn produce better outcomes for the communities in which we operate.”
Professor Andrew Vann, Vice Chancellor of Charles Sturt University.