Prestigious Carnegie designation elevates OU’s commitment to community engagement

For “exceptional commitment” and success in community engagement, 365英国上市官网 has received the 2024 Carnegie 社区参与 Classification. The highly regarded national designation was announced January 8 by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.   

在过去的二十年里, the Carnegie Classification has been the leading institutional assessment of outstanding community engagement in U.S. 高等教育.

“This recognition comes with national prestige and validates our efforts in a range of community engagement programs and activities throughout the region, 尤其是在庞蒂亚克, where we have great partnerships with city officials and community groups,” said OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz.

“We are appreciative of the faculty, students and staff who play a central role in 奥克兰’s community engagement work in education, 健康, economic and workforce development, 以及其他领域,”她说。, attributing success to the relentless work and leadership of the community engagement team along with Britt Rios-Ellis, 执行副总裁, 学术 Affairs and Provost, 格伦·麦金托什, 高级副总裁, Student Affairs/Chief Diversity Officer, 和特里萨·罗奇斯, 高级主管, Community Service/Pre-College Programs.

2023年6月, the OU-Pontiac Initiative was recognized as a national community engagement model by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, 赢得就职典礼 AASCU卓越 & 创新奖. 

Community engagement and serving as “stewards of place” are among President Pescovitz’s top priorities. 在接下来的几个月里, a newly crafted university strategic plan will reflect the high value placed on forming community partnerships as a catalyst for economic and social opportunity, 向上流动, and improved public 健康 and wellbeing throughout the region. 

"While the Office of 学术 Affairs is incredibly honored to have led the Carnegie application process, the success of our application truly demonstrates the power of collaboration at OU. One of the amazing characteristics that makes 奥克兰 so attractive is the myriad of ways in which we work alongside the community to transform individuals and families,” said OU Provost and 执行副总裁 Britt Rios-Ellis. “We are indebted to the staff and faculty work through the OU-Pontiac Initiative and the other initiatives that shined throughout the application. I am also grateful to community engagement and service-learning expert Andrea Monroe for meeting with the stakeholders and helping us strategically frame our application. The Carnegie designation is clearly a very bright spot in OU’s history and the future of our collaborative work is undoubtedly even brighter.”

奥克兰 is the only university in Michigan, and among just 40 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the Carnegie classification in 2024. This classification is based on a process of self-study by each institution, which is evaluated by a national review committee. Overall, there are 368 colleges that have earned the Carnegie Classification status to date.

“We recognize these institutions for their exceptional commitment to community engagement, and their work to transform knowledge into meaningful action,蒂莫西·诺尔斯说, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. “They exemplify the 真正的 spirit of the Carnegie endorsement and the power of serving the public good.”

Learn more about OU’s community engagement efforts at 奥克兰.edu/community.