Prestigious Carnegie designation elevates OU’s commitment to community engagement

January 2024

For “exceptional commitment” and success in community engagement, Oakland University has received the 2024 Carnegie Community Engagement 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.

For the past two decades, the Carnegie Classification has been the leading institutional assessment of outstanding community engagement in U.S. higher education. 

“This recognition comes with national prestige and validates our efforts in a range of community engagement programs and activities throughout the region, especially in Pontiac, where we have great partners 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 Oakland’s community engagement work in education, health, economic and workforce development, and other areas,” she said, attributing success to the relentless work and leadership of the community engagement team along with Britt Rios-Ellis, Vice President, Academic Affairs and Provost, Glenn McIntosh, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs/Chief Diversity Officer, and Teresa Rodges, Senior Director Community Service/Pre-College Programs.

In June 2023, the OU-Pontiac Initiative was recognized as a national community engagement model by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, earning the inaugural AASCU Excellence & Innovation Award. 

Community engagement and serving as “stewards of place” are among President Pescovitz’s top priorities. In the upcoming months, a newly crafted university strategic plan will reflect the high value placed on forming community partnerships as a catalyst for economic opportunity, upward mobility, and improved public health throughout the region. 

“The Carnegie designation affirms the hard work and dedication of our community engagement team, and is a major boost as we broaden partnerships with communities throughout the region,” said Provost Rios-Ellis. “Our vision is to elevate Oakland’s role as a catalyst for improved education, health and economic opportunities while offering our students service-learning experiences that have a transformative impact on their careers and in their lives.”

This year, Oakland is among 40 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the Carnegie classification based on a process of self-study by each institution, which is evaluated by a national review committee. Overall, there are 368 colleges with the Carnegie Classification status.

“We recognize these institutions for their exceptional commitment to community engagement, and their work to transform knowledge into meaningful action,” said Timothy Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. “They exemplify the true spirit of the Carnegie endorsement and the power of serving the public good.” 

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

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