OSU Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

The "Community Engagement Classification" is an elective and institutional classification granted by the Carnegie Foundation. The process of application requires a voluntary but substantial effort. Oregon State University (like other aspirational peer institutions) engaged in an institutional self-reflection process to collect community engagement data and document engaged work across all aspects of our mission:

1. Teaching and learning
2. Research and scholarship
3. Outreach and engagement

The outcome of this process is an "evidence-based" documentation of community engaged practices statewide. This documentation serves as a self-assessment tool and a catalyst for improvements in community engaged work on campus, attending to reciprocity, mutual benefit, and shared knowledge creation among institutional and community partners.

Carnegie definition of community engagement

There are a variety of ways that higher educational institutions like OSU, individuals within these institutions, and community partners can define “Community Engagement." The Carnegie Foundation provides a definition for the elective community engagement classification that consists of two parts:

What it is/how it is done: “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.”

What it actually does/purpose: “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”.

Relevant links

Learn more about the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification from the American Council on Education.

Learn about 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification in the next tabbed sections.

Why is it important for OSU?

OSU first received the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification in 2010 and was reclassified in 2020 and 2026. This is a prestigious recognition of community engagement. The reapplication process offers an opportunity for institutional self-assessment and identification of community engagement efforts across campus that can be made visible, shared and celebrated, including efforts across all three aspects of our mission:

• Teaching and learning
• Research and scholarship
• Outreach and engagement

The classification provides public recognition and visibility for the many community engagement efforts faculty, staff and students are involved with and underscores the university's commitment to:

• Engaging in a self-study of community engaged practices that can celebrate successful approaches, identify promising practices, highlight challenges and initiate pathways for addressing gaps in engagement efforts
• Continuing to foster alignment of community engagement practices across teaching and learning, research, and outreach
• Continuing to build a community-engaged institutional identity that distinguishes OSU from peer institutions and is not necessarily represented in national data informing assessments of colleges and universities

2026 Reclassification Application submitted

Oregon State earned its third Carnegie Community Engagement Classification in 2026! Thank you to all who assisted in compiling OSU's Carnegie Community Engagement Reclassification application. Successful submission of the application would not have been possible without participation from the many OSU faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners who contributed their time and expertise to the process.

Access a copy of the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Reclassification application.

If you have questions about OSU's Carnegie Community Engagement Reclassification application, please contact Marina Denny, Associate Vice Provost for Engagement.

2026 Reclassification Committee

Sam Angima, Associate Dean of Extension, College of Agricultural Science

John Becker-Blease, Associate Dean, College of Business

Emily Bowling, Director of Civic Engagement & Leadership, Student Affairs

Marina Denny, Associate Vice Provost for Engagement, Division of Extension & Engagement

Michael Harte, Professor, College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science

Julie Judkins, Department Head, Special Collections & Archives Research Center, OSU Libraries

Shannon Lipscomb, Professor and Associate Dean of Research, OSU-Cascades

Allison Myers, Associate Dean for Outreach and Engagement, College of Health

Andrew Norwood, Director of Development, Scholarship and University Initiatives, OSU Foundation

Julie Risien, Director of Transdisciplinary Research, Division of Research & Innovation

Jeff Sherman-Duncan, Associate Vice Provost for Partnerships, Division of Extension & Engagement

Zachery Spire, Public Engagement Research Specialist, Division of Extension & Engagement

Temmecha Turner, Director of Community Diversity Relations, Office of Institutional Diversity

Karen Cannon, Carnegie Reclassification Coordinator

Click to read the full submitted redacted application (PDF, April 15, 2019). Thanks to all who participated in this process. The 2020 Carnegie reclassification team appreciates your time, efforts and community engagement excellence.