CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State University has earned its second Carnegie Community Engagement Classification — a prestigious designation that recognizes OSU’s ongoing commitment to serving communities throughout Oregon and beyond.
“This Carnegie classification recognizes the impact of our community engagement that crosses all aspects of the university’s three missions — research and scholarship, teaching and learning, and outreach."
With this reclassification, Oregon State joins a select group of just 28 universities in the United States and its territories that hold both the Carnegie community engagement classification and a “very high research activity” designation from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
OSU was first awarded the community engagement classification in 2010. The latest designation, announced today, reaffirms the university’s leadership in community-engaged teaching, research and outreach.
“This honor speaks to OSU’s demonstrated commitment to serve and collaborate with our broader local, regional, national and global communities,” said OSU President Ed Ray. “This classification recognizes the impact of our community engagement that crosses all aspects of the university’s three missions — research and scholarship, teaching and learning, and outreach. It also demonstrates the strength of our partnerships with many community stakeholders throughout Oregon and beyond.”
In awarding the designation, the Carnegie Foundation commended OSU’s “excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement.”
Engagement rooted in the land grant mission
Oregon State has long been recognized for its outreach and engagement across the state. Programs such as the Agricultural Experiment Station, OSU Extension Service, Forest Research Laboratory and OSU’s nationally ranked Ecampus deliver research, education and resources to Oregonians. In addition, programs that serve K-12 students — including 4-H Youth Development, Extension Outdoor School and Open Campus — strengthen OSU’s statewide presence.
“Community engagement is core to OSU’s mission as a land grant university,” said Anita Azarenko, interim vice provost for outreach and engagement and director of the OSU Extension Service. “Through our research and scholarship, we engage in communities throughout Oregon in teaching, identifying and serving local needs and pursuing opportunities, attending to dilemmas and solving problems. This collaborative work serves to improve the health and well-being of all Oregonians.”
A growing national movement
With the 2020 cohort of 119 institutions, a total of 359 colleges and universities across the nation now hold the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Oregon State is one of three institutions in Oregon to hold the designation, alongside Portland State University and Concordia University.
Previously titled Carnegie Foundation again bestows coveted 'Community Engagement' designation on OSU
