UWG is planning to apply to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for recognition as a community-engaged institution. As explained on the website, this is an elective classification that requires data collection and documentation of important aspects of institutional mission, identity and commitments, and requires substantial effort invested by participating institutions. The next opportunity for institutions to apply for classification will be during the 2020 cycle. 

Carnegie Definition

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.

 

Application timeline
  • January 2018 - Announcement of the 2020 process
  • May 1- July 1, 2018 - Request for applications
  • April 15, 2019 - Applications due/Reviewing begins
  • December 2019 - Review process completed/campuses notified
  • January 2020 - 2020 classification results announced

For more information about the application process:

The application process for the Community Engagement Classification is administered by the New England Resource Center for Higher Education (NERCHE).

 

UWG’s 2016-2017 Priorities

Following a review of successful applications from peer and aspirational institutions and a preliminary analysis of UWG, the Community Engagement Office will focus on the following priorities for 2016-2017:

  • Develop an easy-to-use process for UWG faculty and staff to report community engagement projects.
  • Develop assessment processes to address questions on the Carnegie application.
  • Build on the work of the 2015-2016 Service Learning committee to develop a process for identifying service learning courses and develop Service Learning resources for faculty.
  • Work with Faculty Senate and Academic Affairs to review policies for promotion and tenure and determine if they can be revised to better reward faculty scholarly work that uses community-engaged approaches and methods.
  • Work with LEAP faculty to determine areas of connection between their work and the questions on the Carnegie application.