The Carnegie Foundation's Classification for Community Engagement is the highest level of recognition for community engagement in U.S. higher education and serves as the leading framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement. Community Engagement is central to USU’s land-grant mission, and the classification publicly aligns USU with the 237 Carnegie Community-Engaged institutions across the nation. More importantly, it signals to our students and the communities we serve that we value and prioritize active collaboration with our public, private and nonprofit partners to address humanity’s urgent challenges and serve the public good .
As Utah’s land-grant institution, community engagement is a central pillar of USU’s mission. We take pride and responsibility for connecting the research and learning that happens on campus to communities throughout the state. To achieve this reclassification for a second consecutive cycle demonstrates how much USU values our connection to all of our statewide communities and moving forward for a better Utah.
Here’s how you can be a part of USU’s university-wide commitment to community engagement:
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching defines community engagement as, “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 Community Engagement classification was first received by Utah State University in 2020. The first-time application was selected by the Carnegie Foundation as a national example for other institutions to model. In 2025, USU applied for reclassification and announced successful reclassification as a Carnegie Community-Engaged institution in January 2026.
For more information about Community Engagement at USU, visit the USU Center for Community Engagement and our Community-Engaged Scholar Network.
Every 5 years, the Community Engagement Impact Assessment (CEIA) is distributed to all faculty and staff. This assessment asks respondents about their perception of community engagement at Utah State University and requests they share information about their community-engaged research, teaching, creative endeavors, and service activities.
The CEIA data from 2024 is now available for your review. It notes many positive aspects of community engagement at USU, and also brings to light areas where we can make improvements. Please take a moment to check out the CEIA results.
Seventeen Utah State University students, including four from USU Eastern, traveled to Iceland for a study abroad program that immersed them in wildlife ecology, renewable energy, agriculture and sustainability through hands-on learning.
Utah State University Blanding hosted the DRUMM Teacher Workshop and Cultural Exchange on April 10-11, bringing together educators, students and community presenters for two days focused on mathematical modeling, cultural learning and collaboration.
The Utah Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program within the Utah State University Center for Community Engagement, has received $610,000 in funding through the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation Initiative.
