About the Carnegie Classification
The Carnegie Foundation's classification for community engagement is an elective classification based on voluntary participation by institutions.
This classification involves data collection and documentation of important aspects of institutional mission, identity, and commitments, and requires substantial effort invested by participating institutions.
WVU was one of 75 institutions to have proudly received this highest recognition for community engagement in 2020.
Read the WVU Today report about WVU's 2020 classification.Institutional Motivations for attaining the classification
- • Institutional Self-Assessment - A way to bring the disparate parts of the campus together in a way that advances a cohesive and strategic agenda.
- • Legitimacy - National recognition of a community-engaged institution that is moving forward with our Land Grant mission.
- • Accountability - A way to demonstrate that the institution is fulfilling its vision and mission by partnering and collaborating with our community partners for the common good.
- • Catalyst for Change - A tool for fostering institutional alignment for community-based teaching, learning, and scholarship.
- • Institutional Identity - Allows WVU to be recognized by faculty, students, staff, and stakeholders as being committed to the shared goals of the community.
Is Your Work Community Engagement?
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.
To help determine if your work aligns with community engagement, consider the following questions:
- • Does your work involve partnerships with communities (local, regional/state, national, global)?
- • Is there an exchange of knowledge, skills, or resources between you and the community?
- • Are you addressing a real-world challenge or opportunity identified by community members?
- • Does your work enhance the well-being, resilience, or development of the community in a measurable way?
If you answered "yes" to any of these, your work likely qualifies as community engagement! However, if you're unsure or would like guidance, feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you in identifying, documenting, and amplifying your impact. Please reach out to kristi.wood@mail.wvu.edu for more information.
Additional Resources
- WVU Partnership Rubric_Carnegie Classification: Guide to evaluate community engagement partnerships
- WVU Community Engagement Data Template: Template for data collection on WVU's community engagement
- 2026 Carnegie Framework: Guidebook for community engagement reclassification
- ACE Engage: Interactive content by the Carnegie Elective Classifications team to support campuses engaged in community engagement
- All about the Carnegie Classification: Learn more about the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement