Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement

Carnegie Classification Seal 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.

According to Illinois State University President Dr. Larry Dietz:

“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.”

Illinois State University Press Release

Carnegie Foundation Press Release

Redbird Impact article on the classification

Illinois State University's Application for the Elective Classification

By the Numbers…

The 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 now hold this designation.

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

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)

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