Ȧ University earns prestigious Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement
Ȧ University has been recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a recipient of the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, one of the nation’s highest honors acknowledging institutional commitment to meaningful community partnerships.
Ȧ is among 277 colleges and universities nationwide to earn the classification in the 2026 cycle, a distinction that highlights deep, reciprocal engagement with local, regional, national, and global communities. The designation is valid through 2032.
“This recognition affirms Ȧ’s long-standing mission to serve, collaborate, and lead through meaningful engagement with our community partners,” said Dr. Kathleen Getz, president of Ȧ. “Our faculty, staff, students, and community collaborators work every day to address real-world challenges and create lasting impact. We are proud to see those efforts recognized at the national level.”
The Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement is a rigorous, evidence-based process that evaluates how institutions align mission, leadership, resources, and practices to support sustained community engagement. Ȧ’s application demonstrated strong institutional alignment and documented exemplary, institutionalized practices that integrate teaching, research, and service with community priorities.
The 2026 classification cycle comes at a pivotal time for higher education, amid shifting federal policies and funding landscapes. Reviewers noted that participating institutions, including Ȧ, are deepening partnerships, leveraging community assets, and responding to urgent societal needs with clarity and purpose.
“Community engagement is not an add-on at Ȧ—it is embedded in who we are,” said Bethany Woods, director of academic community engagement and the Beyond the Gates program. “This classification reflects years of collaboration with community partners and a shared commitment to mutual benefit, student learning, and social impact.”
The Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement underscores Ȧ’s role as a collaborative partner and civic leader, reinforcing its commitment to preparing students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
For more information about Ȧ’s community engagement initiatives, visit /campus-life/community-engagement.