Carnegie Classification

Carnegie Classification

The Carnegie Classification, through the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, is an all-inclusive classification for colleges and universities and considered the “leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity” within institutions of higher education across the US for 4-plus decades. The Carnegie Foundation, as defined by NERCE is “an independent policy and research center that supports needed transformation in American education through tighter connections between teaching practice, evidence of student learning, the communication and use of this evidence, and structured opportunities to build knowledge.” Missouri State University is classified as a Carnegie University.

In addition to the “all-inclusive” classification, Missouri State University received, in 2010, the prestigious Community Engagement Classification. The Carnegie Foundation’s Classification for Community Engagement is an elective and voluntary classification that involves data collection and documentation of important aspects of institutional mission, identify and commitments, and requires substantial effort invested by participating institutions. This classification is not an award, but rather an “evidence-based documentation of institution practice to be used in a process of self-assessment and quality improvement”. Carnegie reviews the documentation to determine if an institution qualifies for recognition as a community engaged institution.

A copy of the list of Community Engagement-Classified Universities, the Missouri State 2010 Application for the Community Engagement classification, and the letter acknowledging receipt of this classification can be found in the links below:

• Board of Governors – Why Carnegie is important for Missouri State University
• Carnegie 2010 Application / Document Reporting Form
• Carnegie 2011 Notification Letter
• Letter to the President of Missouri State University

How is Community Engagement Defined by Carnegie?

“Community Engagement is defined as the collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger community for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity. The purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.” The Carnegie Classification aligns with the Vision, Mission, and Goals of Missouri State University.

Leading the Charge for the 2020 Recertification

The Carnegie Foundation requires recertification of the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification on a 10 year basis and then subsequently, every five years. Missouri State University was granted this designation in 2010; the recertification process will begin in 2018 with a final submission date of April 15, 2019.

Missouri State’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE) has been charged with the oversight of the application process including the collection of data to support the University’s efforts to maintain the Carnegie Community Engagement classification.  Over the next year and a half, the CCE will engage in collecting evidence that exemplifies Missouri State’s commitment to the developing and maintaining reciprocal partnerships within our communities supporting the Carnegie Foundations definition of community engagement. Data collection and evidence-based document includes, but not limited to:

• Feedback from the community
• Internal and external documentation
• Self-assessments
• Quality improvement initiatives

2020 Classification Timeline for the Carnegie Recertification Process

2017                                      CCE begins collection of data

January 2018                      Official Announcement of the 2020 process

May 1 – July 1, 2018            Request for applications (payment of fee and release of application)

April 15, 2019                       Applications due/Reviewing begins

December 2019                  Review process completed/campuses notified

January 2020                      2020 classification results announced

Frequently Asked Questions

To review the application process or more detailed information about Carnegie, please refer to following website links:

https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu

http://nerche.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1391

For more information about Carnegie and/or Missouri State University’s Recertification Process, please contact  Dr. Katherine Nordyke, Director for Citizenship and Academic Service-Learning at 417-836-5774.

Dr. Katherine Nordyke