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Center for Civic Engagement

Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement

In 2020, Illinois State University received the Elective Classification for Community Engagement from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning. This national designation honors the work that Illinois State University has done in engaging students and community organizations to advance learning and to improve the greater community.

Campuses are considered classified for a period of six years, at which point they must apply to be re-classified. ISU's application for re-classification was submitted in April 2025. Results of the application will be announced in January 2026.

Upon initial classification in 2020, Illinois State University President Emeritus Dr. Larry H. Dietz shared, “Civic Engagement is a core value of this University, and I am pleased that the Carnegie Foundation has recognized our commitment and efforts by awarding the University the Elective Classification for Community Engagement. Through the center, we support students, faculty and staff with in-class and out-of-class learning experiences that partner with the community. These experiences are prime examples of how we live our values every day."

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2020 Application By the Numbers… 

The 2020 application consisted of nearly 300 individual questions:

  • 48 yes/no questions
  • 9 short answer questions
  • 6 multiple selection questions involving narrative responses for each selection
  • 62 total narrative responses limited to 500 words each
  • A section highlighting 15 campus-community partnerships. Each partnership description included
    • 8 short answer questions
    • 3 narrative responses

Overall, nearly 300 individuals were involved in total outreach for the application, including:

  • 8 total task force members (see below)
  • 7 college liaisons
  • 15 community partner organizations

Nationally, 359 institutions hold this designation as of the 2020 cycle.

  • 119 received the classification in the 2020 cycle
  • Illinois State was one of 44 first-time applicants to receive the designation
  • 11 institutions in Illinois hold the designation

2020 Carnegie Elective Classification Task force Members:

  • Christine Bruckner—Center for Civic Engagement
  • Janet Paterson—Center for Civic Engagement
  • Erin Thomas—Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs
  • Cheryl Fogler—Planning, Research, and Policy Analysis
  • Katie Pratt—University College
  • James Applegate—Center for the Study of Education Policy
  • Missy Nergard—Office of Sustainability (through summer 2018)
  • Chad Kahl—Milner Library (beginning fall 2018)

2020 Application Timeline

  • Application review and planning process began within the Center for Civic Engagement in fall 2017
  • 2020 framework questions released by the Carnegie Foundation in January 2018
  • Task force and college liaisons convened and began work in spring 2018
  • Data collected in the 2018 calendar year
  • Application submitted in April 2019
  • Public announcement of classification in January 2020