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:
- Katherine McCormick, Professor, College of Education (Chair)
- Rodney Creager, Office of Community Engagement
- Hannah Eddy, Director of Provost’s Initiatives, Office of the Provost
- Cindy Edwards, Student Affairs Officer, UK Career Center
- Sarah Hermsmeier, Student Affairs Officer, Office of Student Involvement
- Lisa Higgins-Hord, Assistant Vice President, Office of Community Engagement
- Randolph Hollingsworth, Assistant Provost for Program Development, Division of Undergraduate Education
- Mary John O'Hair, Dean, College of Education
- Jessica Powers, Project Manager, Office for Student Success
- Tara Rose, Director of Assessment, Office of University Assessment
- Patti Singleton, Human Development Institute
- Sharon Stewart, Interim Dean, College of Health Sciences
- Roger Sugarman, Director of Institutional Research, Office of Institutional Research
- Sarah Whitaker, Student Affairs Officer, International Center
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