The Office for Public Engagement is proud to announce that both the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Morris campuses once again have been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching with its distinguished Community Engagement Classification.
“The institutions receiving the 2026 Community Engagement Classification exemplify American higher education’s commitment to the greater good,” said American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell. “The beneficiaries of this unflagging dedication to public purpose missions are their students, their teaching and research enterprises, and their wider communities.”
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Morris campuses are two of 277 institutions that currently hold the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement; all five University of Minnesota campuses continue to hold the classification. In 2024, the University of Minnesota became the first higher education system in the country to have all campuses designated. This accomplishment demonstrates how the University of Minnesota is committed to deepening partnerships, leveraging community assets, and addressing urgent societal challenges.
The Classification for Community Engagement is a way for colleges and universities in the U.S. to gain recognition for institutionalizing community engagement. The University voluntarily submitted required materials describing the nature and extent of their infrastructure, especially regarding University staffing and policies, that support robust faculty, staff, and student partnerships with communities. This enables the Foundation to address elements of institutional mission and distinctiveness that may not be represented in the national data.
“This renewed Carnegie classification reflects the University of Minnesota’s commitment to providing the support and resources needed for meaningful, community-engaged work to thrive,” said Laurie Van Egeren, vice provost for public engagement. “Across our system, the University creates the conditions for students, faculty, staff, and community partners to work together—co-creating knowledge, addressing the needs of real people, and making a positive difference in Minnesota and beyond.”
In 2006, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities became one of six U.S. research universities to first receive the Carnegie Foundation's Community Engagement Classification. Morris initially earned the designation in 2015. The 2026 classification is valid until 2032.