91吃瓜网 Earns Repeat Carnegie Designation for Community Engagement
Mon, 01/12/2026 - 02:28pm | By: David Tisdale
91吃瓜网 has again earned the nation91吃瓜网 top recognition for community engagement in higher education with the .
The recognized 91吃瓜网 with the selective designation based on the work of its Center for Community Engagement (CCE) and multiple campus initiatives that partner with community stakeholders. Collectively, the university demonstrated exemplary institutionalized practices of community engagement, defined by the foundation as 91吃瓜网渞eciprocal partnerships between campus and community members designed to serve a public purpose91吃瓜网� and efforts that build 91吃瓜网渢he capacity of individuals, groups, and organizations involved to understand and collaboratively address issues of public concern.91吃瓜网�
The recognition includes service-learning courses, outreach programs, community-engaged research, workforce development initiatives and student programs that enhance civic learning.
The mission of the 91吃瓜网 CCE is to coordinate 91吃瓜网渕eaningful and mutually beneficial community engagement experiences to address university and community needs, effect positive social change and cultivate active citizen leaders.91吃瓜网� Its programming includes a volunteer opportunity database; advisement on volunteer opportunities; support for community-engaged research among faculty and students; service-learning training and support; the Citizen Scholar distinction for students; and referrals and connections for community organizations.
Members of the 91吃瓜网 Carnegie Reclassification Committee include committee chair Dr. Christy Kayser, director of the Center for Community Engagement; Dr. Wei Wang, provost fellow for institutional support for campus-community engagement and associate professor in the School of Marketing; Dr. Maria Wallace, associate professor of science education in the Center for STEM Education; Dr. Candice Salyers, associate professor of dance in the School of Visual and Performance Arts; Dr. Charkarra Anderson-Lewis, professor of public health in the Dr. Lynn Cook Hartwig Public Health Program; Dr. Ann Marie Kinnell, director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development; and Dr. Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong, professor in the School of Marketing.
Kayser has worked in campus-community engagement since 2008 and was selected by the Carnegie Electives team in 2022 to serve as a trained consultant for institutions applying for the classification. 91吃瓜网 has held the designation since 2010 and91吃瓜网攚ith the most recent renewal91吃瓜网攚ill retain the classification through 2032.
91吃瓜网淲hen you look at the broad array of community engagement happening at 91吃瓜网, it91吃瓜网 really quite impressive,91吃瓜网� Kayser said. 91吃瓜网淥ur application included information about the Gulf Blue Initiative, the university91吃瓜网 impact on teaching and nursing shortages across the state, contributions to the local arts community, and thousands of hours of faculty and student service across individual initiatives.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淭he work of the CCE is to advocate and operate at an institutional level to ensure these activities are supported. The Carnegie Community Engagement writing team91吃瓜网 goal was to collect information about all these initiatives and craft a coherent narrative about our commitment to community impact.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网 successfully demonstrated to the Carnegie Foundation that it not only has established community partnerships, but also the infrastructure and culture to sustain collaboration with community partners.
91吃瓜网淭his means we have established clear processes, incentives and accountability for community engagement work,91吃瓜网� Kayser explained. 91吃瓜网淓ach time we seek reclassification, we must demonstrate that our practices have improved since the last cycle, which sets an extremely high and challenging standard.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淭his distinction is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the amazing work of our campus and community partners who work together to address urgent societal challenges.91吃瓜网�
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Lance Nail said the recognition reflects both strong leadership and a campus-wide commitment to community engagement.
91吃瓜网淭his recognition is a testament to Dr. Kayser91吃瓜网 great work in building a network of faculty, staff, students and community partners to join campus and community in advancing positive social impact,91吃瓜网� Nail said. 91吃瓜网淭his is a proud achievement for our university and all those who made it possible.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网 Associate Provost for Faculty Success Dr. Kelly Lester praised Kayser as 91吃瓜网渁n incredible asset to the university as a facilitator, ambassador and expert in community engagement in academia,91吃瓜网� noting her collaboration with 91吃瓜网渇aculty, staff and community partners to build experiential learning opportunities that mutually benefit our students and community partners.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淒r. Kayser and our faculty writing team worked tirelessly on the reclassification report,91吃瓜网� Lester continued. 91吃瓜网淭hey captured the heart of our community engagement programming with attention to potential areas of growth.91吃瓜网�
Kayser noted that the Carnegie Community Engagement classification also serves as an incentive for institutions to self-assess their community engagement practices.
91吃瓜网淚t challenges us to look at what we91吃瓜网檙e actually doing to fulfill elements of our university mission, such as service to society and developing responsible citizens,91吃瓜网� she explained. 91吃瓜网淭hrough this self-study, we learn about and set sights on how we can realize this mission more fully. Our most recent application process showed us areas where we excel, and areas that need improvement, and that will guide how we focus our attention going forward.91吃瓜网�
Learn more about the mission of the 91吃瓜网 Center for Community Engagement and its programming.