The University of Alabama has successfully renewed its Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, making it one of only 237 institutions that hold the distinction. This designation recognizes UA as one of the nation’s premier institutions in community-engaged scholarship, underscoring UA’s commitment to community partnerships that integrate the University’s mission of teaching, research and service.
“This renewal is the result of ongoing community engagement initiatives and community partnerships that align with UA’s institutional mission, advancing community engagement and changing lives for the people of Alabama and beyond,” said Vice President for Community Affairs Samory Pruitt. “Earning this designation again confirms the reputation of The University of Alabama as a national leader in community-engaged scholarship and experiential learning while bringing much-deserved attention to the University and to the faculty, staff, students and community partners collaborating on this essential work.”
“Applications in this cycle demonstrated how campuses nationwide are deepening partnerships, leveraging community assets and addressing urgent societal challenges,” the Carnegie Electives team said in a statement. “There is much to celebrate, and it is heartening to witness such a strong and growing commitment to community engagement across the sector.”
The renewal is the result of ongoing community engagement initiatives and community partnerships that align with UA’s institutional mission in ways that engage communities and change lives for the people of Alabama and beyond.
The Carnegie electives team went on to say, “(UA’s) application documented excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement. We hope (UA) will find ways to support campuses at earlier stages of institutionalizing community engagement. Your guidance will significantly strengthen community engagement across higher education.”
The University first earned this distinction in 2008, following efforts by the Division of Community Affairs, in partnership with the continuing studies dean, Carolyn C. Dahl, now retired, to obtain the classification. The division led the renewal effort in 2017 with the support of David Francko, then the assistant vice president for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School, now retired, and Professor Kevin Whitaker, who went on to become executive vice president and provost and who is also retired.
For the most recent renewal, Community Affairs team members worked with campuswide partners to gather and compile data on highlights of the University’s community-engaged scholarship efforts since UA’s previous renewal, and to write and submit the application. Representatives from a cross-section of campus participated, an indicator of the growth of and pride in this type of work across the University.
Campus representatives included:
- Jackson Harris, Diane Kennedy-Jackson and Elisabetta Zengaro, Division of Community Affairs
- Jerran Hill and Shae Robinson, Division of Student Life
- Cosima Boswell-Koller and Arturo Menefee, Office of Research and Economic Development
- Shayla Smith, Barefield College of Arts and Sciences
- Randi Hamm and Steven Yates, College of Communication and Information Sciences
- Antonio Gardner, College of Community Health Sciences
- Courtney Thomas, School of Social Work
- Carol Donovan, College of Education
- Mercy Mumba, Capstone College of Nursing
- Blake Berryhill, College of Human Environmental Sciences
- Adam Farmer, Keely Latapolski, Preston McGee and Lisa McKinney, Culverhouse College of Business
- Mark Barkey, Styslinger College of Engineering
- Andre Denham, Graduate School
- Kiana Kennamore, UA Law School
- Megan Bailey and Ross Bryan, Honors College