UMaine Receives Carnegie Foundation Classification for Community Engagement
Contact: Kathleen March at (207) 581-2088
ORONO –The University of Maine is one of 76 institutions nationwide to selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to receive its Community Engagement Classification. UMaine was recognized for curricular engagement, outreach and partnerships.
“The classification is an honor, and a deserved one,” says Kathleen March, a UMaine professor of Spanish who was instrumental in the application process. “As a land grant, sea grant institution, UMaine has consistently given back to many communities, in all disciplines.”
“This honor is a real mark of distinction for UMaine,” says President Robert Kennedy. “It reflects the fundamental nature of our community, characterized by commitment to community service and educational opportunities that inspire our students to actively engage in improving the lives of others.”
According to Carnegie Foundation literature, “Curricular Engagement describes teaching, learning and scholarship which engage faculty, students and community in mutually beneficial and respectful collaboration. Their interactions address community-identified needs, deepen students’ civic and academic learning, enhance community well-being and enrich the scholarship of the institution. Outreach and Partnerships describes two different but related approaches to community engagement. The first focuses on the application and provision of institutional resources for community use with benefits to both campus and community. The latter focuses on collaborative interactions with community and related scholarship for the mutually beneficial exchange, exploration and application of knowledge, information and resources (research, capacity building, economic development, etc.).”
The University of Maine was one of only 62 institutions recognized in both categories.
“The fact that it was recognized in both categories –Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships — is even more rewarding,” March says. “Carnegie recognizes that the university has demonstrated its commitment in both the classroom and its research, as well as the frequency and quality of its work with community partners. The classification of community engagement is validation of the connections the institution has with the state of Maine and beyond, and its awareness of its role in a globalized society.”
March, who began the classification planning as chair of the Faculty Senate Service and Outreach Committee, was joined in her efforts by Audra Grady of the Bodwell Centerfor Student Volunteerism and Dara McIntire of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, among others. Maine Campus Compact has also been a long-time resource for UMaine for engagement work, andTheodore Coladarci and Phillip Pratt of the Office of Institutional Studies provided key statistical data.
“In light ofthe economy and budget cuts, this really helps all of us and lends some legitimacy to the work we and others do in the realm of civic engagement, service learning, and community based research,” McIntire says.
A full release with more detailed information about the program is available at http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/descriptions/community_engagement.php?key=1213.