The Process Is the Prize

The Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement offers more than just recognition—it’s a powerful tool for institutional reflection and growth. Through a structured self-study, campuses can reassess and reinforce their commitment to community-led advocacy, in alignment with their missions to educate for democracy and serve the public good. This classification framework is dynamic, reflecting the evolving nature of our institutions and communities as we collaboratively address complex challenges.

The Classification seeks to recognize institutions that demonstrate commitment and excellence in community engagement, requiring substantial evidence of deep-rooted and sustained institutional efforts. These efforts must support meaningful partnerships that benefit both the campus and the community in a reciprocal manner. To earn this distinction, institutions must ensure that community engagement is integrated across the campus through institutional structures, systems, practices, and cultures.

Join us as we delve into the experiences of institutional peers who successfully navigated the 2024 classification. They will share personal insights on how you can enhance your community engagement application, from strategic planning to coalition building on campus.

This webinar will explore

• best practices for strategically promoting campus-wide community engagement;
• ways to highlight significant community voice throughout the community engagement application;
• sustainable positive impacts that resulted from collaborative engagement and scholarship conducted; and,
• lessons on leveraging the classification process.

This session will inspire and guide you as you prepare for the 2026 cycle. Please note that there will be small-group discussions.