Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification recognizes engaged scholarship, teaching, learning and outreach. The classification is not an award. It is an elective, evidence-based documentation process for self-assessment and quality improvement purposes. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching sponsors the elective classification for institutions that have made extraordinary commitments to their public purpose. Clemson received community engagement classification in 2015, joining a select group of public and private institutions in the United States.
How is Community Engagement Defined by Carnegie?
“Community engagement describes the 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.”
The Carnegie Reclassification Process
The Carnegie Foundation requires recertification of the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification on a 10-year basis and then, every five years. To be reclassified, Clemson must submit an application detailing how the University has expanded, deepened and integrated community engagement work into all aspects of our institution.
Reasons to Reclassify
- Serves as external recognition and demonstrates accountability that Clemson is fulfilling its public, land-grant mission,
- Meets goals as stated in the Clemson Elevate strategic plan, focusing on “transforming lives statewide and beyond through educational, economic, agricultural and health outreach” by maintaining a deep and abiding commitment to our land-grant mission in service to communities, the state of South Carolina, the nation and the world
- Provides a mechanism for thorough evaluation into whether our engagement is deep and pervasive, and
- Offers an opportunity to identify areas for future institutional change so that Clemson’s community engagement may be more collaborative, reciprocal and equitable over time.
Our Timeline
Clemson received this classification in 2015 and recognizes the University’s commitment to engagement in all its operations while providing a framework to evaluate and improve continually.
Clemson is reapplying for Carnegie Community Engagement Classification in the 2026 cycle, with an application due April 1, 2025.
January 26, 2024
- Applications available on GivePulse and Carnegie Elective Classifications website.
November 4, 2024
- Deadline to secure application and initiate process
April 1, 2025
- Application deadline
December 2025
- Notification to campuses of their classification status
January 2026
- Public announcement of 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement designated campuses
Leadership
With support from the Office of the Provost, the Carnegie Reclassification process is being led by the Public Engagement support team:
- Professor and Provost Fellow, Corliss Outley, Ph.D.
- Assistant to the President for Community Outreach and Engagement, Julio Hernandez
- Special Advisor to the Provost, George Askew, Ph.D.
For More Information
To learn more about the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, please reach out to Corliss Outley at coutley@clemson.edu.
