WSU, UVU earn Carnegie recognition for community engagement

Two Utah schools were selected among more than a hundred across the nation as having an institutional focus on community engagement.

The classification comes from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and puts Weber State University and Utah Valley University on a list with 117 other colleges and universities that are striving to be part of their communities.

"This honor acknowledges WSU's long-held identity as a committed and contributing member to the Ogden, Davis and Weber communities we serve," said Brenda Marsteller Kowalewski, WSU's Community Involvement Center co-director.

A total of 147 institutions among about 6,500 eligible schools in the United States applied for the Community Engagement Classification, which recognizes a "mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity," according to the foundation.

"It provides a great deal of joy for students and educators who embrace the service aspect of community engagement," said Scott Hammond, UVU assistant academic vice president. "The learning is enhanced, but so is the feeling about the subject, the institution and the community."

Applications increased from 89 in 2006, when the award was first introduced. Of the winners this year, 68 are public institutions and 51 are private. They represent 34 states and Puerto Rico.

Service-learning partnerships are largely account for the Utah schools' success in earning the classification. Both have programs that encourage access to education, enhanced health care and urge strong economic development for all community members with participation in various projects.

In the past year, WSU students provided more than 82,000 hours of service through community partnerships.

"The commitment to community engagement is widespread on our campus," Kowalewski said, adding that athletes to zoology majors are involved in service projects throughout the year.

In order to be classified as Community Engaged by Carnegie, institutions must provide documented examples of institutionalized practices of community engagement. They must also exhibit an alignment of mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices to be considered for one of three classifications, in addition to community involvement. The classification system is used by researchers, institutional personnel, policymakers and others for multiple purposes, including viability of an institution.

"This classification illustrates the critical role our institutions play in the vitality of the communities and regions they serve," said Utah System of Higher Education Commissioner William A. Sederburg.

A complete list of classified schools can be found at carnegiefoundation.org.

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