Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

Engagement Classifications

Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized The University of Toledo with the 2015 Community Engagement Classification. UToledo is among the 240 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the designation.

UToledo has adopted the Carnegie Foundation’s definition of community engagement:

Community engagement describes the collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.

The purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.

Community engagement describes activities that are undertaken with community members. In reciprocal partnerships, there are collaborative community-campus definitions of problems, solutions, and measures of success. Community engagement requires processes in which academics recognize, respect, and value the knowledge, perspectives, and resources of community partners and that are designed to serve a public purpose, building the capacity individuals, groups, and organizations involved to understand and collaboratively address issues of public concern.

APLU IEP Designation

In 2013, UToledo received the American Public Land Grant Universities’ designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) University in recognition of its leadership in promoting regional economic development.

The APLU designation recognizes colleges and universities that enhance the competitiveness of their communities and regions through diverse programs, services, and activities that span realms of talent, innovation and place.

Last Updated: 10/26/23