»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ is proud to announce that it is one of only 277 institutions nationwide awarded the prestigious 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement. The designation represents national recognition of the university’s deep commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships and creating positive impact in the communities it serves.
"This recognition affirms »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ’s longstanding commitment to service and engagement as central to our identity," said Dr. James P. Lentini, President of »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ. "Through partnerships with local organizations, experiential learning opportunities, and faculty-led initiatives, we strive to prepare students to be leaders who make a difference in the world."
The Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement is considered the gold standard for acknowledging colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in integrating community engagement into their mission, culture, and academic practices. This designation reflects »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ’s dedication to collaborative relationships that enrich learning, address societal challenges, and strengthen civic responsibility.
“The classification recognizes »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ's longstanding commitment to our faculty's community engaged research, teaching, and service that helps students apply what they are learning to issues in their communities,” said »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ Provost, Michelle Piskulich, PhD. “Working hand-in-hand with our community partners provides rich applied learning and research opportunities that deepen our students' educational experiences.”
»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ’s community engagement efforts span a wide range of programs, including service-learning courses, volunteer initiatives, and strategic collaborations with nonprofit organizations, schools, and healthcare providers. These efforts not only benefit the surrounding communities but also enhance student learning and faculty scholarship. Earning the Carnegie designation was a milestone goal set forth in »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Strategic Plan 2028.
“The Carnegie self-study process was a valuable opportunity that brought together faculty, staff, and administrators to examine how community engagement is carried out across »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ,” said Sarah Shin, Director, Office of Experiential Learning & Community Engagement.
“It deepened our understanding of how this engagement is supported and sustained institutionally.”
Most recently, »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ initiated its Talent Solutions effort. The new offering is designed to provide custom training programs for Long Island businesses. Talent Solutions will provide custom upskilling needed for current employees while also offering the option of full training programs required to begin a new career and become a leader in today’s market. This program will assist in minimizing the ’brain drain’ that the region is experiencing, thereby enabling individuals to remain on Long Island and actively contribute to the local and regional economy.
The Carnegie Foundation’s rigorous review process evaluates institutions on their alignment of community engagement with institutional mission, leadership, resources, and practices. »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ joins an elite group of universities nationwide that have earned this distinction.