The University of Connecticut has received a Carnegie Community Engagement Classification as of late last month.
The classification is a recognition which institutions can earn for having strong commitments to their work with the public.
“The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the nation’s leading framework for categorizing diverse U.S. higher education institutions,” their website said.
To be considered for this award, a team of faculty at UConn had to apply for recognition by the Carnegie Foundation. This process included presenting documentation which showed UConn’s efforts to focus on things like culture, programming, recruitment and improved available activities, as outlined in their elective classifications webpage.
Director of UConn’s Office of Outreach and Engagement, Rosa E. Raudales, provided information about UConn’s application.
By identifying strengths and areas of growth we can focus on work that is important and impactful to society. An application like this is also an opportunity for us to remain accountable to our stakeholders. It means that we sustain our role to conduct work that has a direct, positive impact on society.
UConn Office of Outreach and Engagement Director Rosa E. Raudales
“UConn’s Office of Outreach and Engagement submitted the application to the Carnegie Foundation in spring 2023,” Raudales said. “The process required that we conduct a self-study to assess UConn’s commitment to community engagement, per the definition and characteristics provided above. We collected information across the campuses, academic units, and offices to understand whether we met the standards of Carnegie Engagement.”
Raudales explained that with UConn being a largely recognizable and flagship university, the various ways it was important to apply for the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification.
“By identifying strengths and areas of growth we can focus on work that is important and impactful to society. An application like this is also an opportunity for us to remain accountable to our stakeholders,” Raudales said. “It means that we sustain our role to conduct work that has a direct, positive impact on society”
The classification is not a competition, Raudales explained. Institutions either receive the classification based on their application or do not. However, the impact of UConn being one of the institutions that has been recognized, will benefit not only the university, but its students too.
“UConn has intentional efforts to provide students with high-impact learning opportunities. In the last 10 years, service learning has been a growing method in which students have the opportunity to learn from the community about the subjects they are studying in classes,” Raudales said. “In the process of putting the application together, we learned about the curricular and co-curricular activities that are available to students to engage with communities, to do service, and learn more about their potential impact in society. The opportunities are broad and have a high impact.”