UK Receives 2015 Community Engagement Classification

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 7, 2015) — Recognizing the University of Kentucky's commitment to its surrounding local, national and global communities, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching today announced the university has been selected to receive the 2015 Community Engagement Classification.

“The success of our reclassification efforts is the result of the efforts of a committed group of campus stakeholders who contributed their expertise, time, and knowledge in the drafting of the report," said Katherine McCormick, professor of interdisciplinary early childhood education and James W. and Diane V. Stuckert Endowed Professor in Service-Learning, who chaired the team responsible for completing the application process. "Fourteen administrators, faculty, staff, and students shared in this work across a number of months last year. We are deeply appreciative of support from each of the deans and the provost’s office."

The classification recognizes institutions that provide evidence of substantial engagement and contribution to their communities. A significant achievement, institutions complete a two-year long application process. UK also received the 2010 Community Engagement Classification. 

"The report (application) validates that engagement at UK occurs at a high level in each of our colleges and units, evidenced by robust faculty, student, and community partnerships," McCormick said.

In a letter to McCormick, the Carnegie Foundation and New England Resource Center for Higher Education praised UK's community engagement practices.

The letter stated that UK's report "documented excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement."

“Prominent in the reclassification application was the work of the colleges, the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT), the Center for Community Outreach (CCO) in the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Community Engagement (OCE), the University of Kentucky International Center (UKIC) and the Office of the Associate Provost, Division of Undergraduate Education (UGE)," said McCormick.

Members of the project team, the Provost's Workgroup in collaboration with Patti Clayton, external consultant, include:

The 2015 classification is valid until 2025, at which point UK can apply again for re-classification. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu