Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement
The Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, managed through the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education, is a highly respected, evidence-based recognition of institutions’ extraordinary commitment to collaborating with their broader communities. Emory University was among the first institutions to receive this elective classification in 2006, was re-classified in 2015, and is prioritizing re-classification for 2026. The Office of the Provost, with support from the Office of Government and Community Affairs in the Office of the President, is coordinating the application process for this university-wide effort.
Latest News
Emory launches process to renew Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement
Sept. 26, 2024
Emory will again seek the prestigious Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, in partnership with the American Council on Education.
Photo credit: Jola Ajibade
Frequently Asked Questions
Emory University relates to and is involved in local, regional and global communities in many ways. Some, but not all, are specifically “community engaged” as defined by the Carnegie Classification. As described in the guidebook for the application, to be classified “requires a large body of evidence of meaningful and sustained institutional investment of systems and structures that support individuals, groups, and communities to work with each other for mutual benefit and in a context of reciprocal partnership.” These systems and structures must be “deep, pervasive, and integrated.”
- Deep engagement goes beyond transactional exchanges and “demonstrates systems, structures, behaviors, and outcomes that appropriately position all partners—students, faculty, staff, and community members—as co-educators, co- learners, and co-generators of knowledge” in “reciprocal and mutually beneficial Partnerships.”
- Pervasive is understood as sustained and intentional attention to community engagement in “plans, activities, and outcomes across the academic institution.”
- Integration “is demonstrated by the extent to which community engagement is embedded into the core, strategic, and academic purposes and structures of the institution.”
The application will require us to answer questions about the alignment of “institutional priorities and initiatives such as student success, faculty and staff scholarship (broadly defined), and public and community service” with principles and practices of community engagement. Note that a key section of the application addresses faculty rewards for this work in promotion and tenure structures.
We know that Emory can demonstrate extraordinary commitment to community-engaged scholarship, teaching and service. However, the application will also require us to demonstrate a process of self-assessment and continuous work toward the goals of the classification. The process (distinct from the Carnegie Research I designation) is, by design, an opportunity for institutional growth—one that directly supports the goals of our One Emory: Ambition and Heart strategic framework.
The application process will take approximately a year, with submissions due April 1, 2025, and public announcement of institutions receiving Carnegie designation in January 2026.
A core working group has begun meeting and gathering information and data. An advisory group will meet regularly to inform the work of the core group. Additionally, we will engage community partners.
Please contact Vialla Hartfield-Méndez, director of engaged learning, Center for Faculty Development and Excellence; professor of Spanish; and faculty lead for re-application, at vhartfi@emory.edu.
Be sure to use the subject line "Carnegie Classification Application" on your email to ensure we don't miss your message.
The Initiative Core Team
Cameron Taylor
Vice President for Government and Community Affairs
Read about Cameron Taylor
Pearl Dowe
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Political Science and African American Studies
Read about Pearl Dowe
Anjulet Tucker
Director, Presidential Initiatives and Institutional Projects
Contact Anjulet Tucker at anjulet.tucker@emory.edu
Vialla Hartfield-Méndez
Director of Engaged Learning, Center for Faculty Development and Excellence and Professor of Spanish; faculty lead for re-application
Read about Vialla Hartfield-Méndez
James Roland
Senior Director, Center for Civic and Community Engagement
Contact James Roland at jroland@emory.edu
Alex Wan
Assistant Vice President for Community Affairs
Read about Alex Wan
Yasmin Darville
Dual-Degree MD/PhD Candidate, Emory University School of Medicine and Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health
Yulia Gu C25
Community Building and Social Change Fellow, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
Susan Pavlin
Executive Director, Global Growers Network
The Advisory Committee
Community Partners
- Susan Bishop 75T
Director of Chaplaincy Services and Clinical Chaplain, Lee Arrendale State Prison/Georgia Department of Corrections - John Martin, LCSW, MAC
Director of Medical and Professional Education, Addiction Alliance of Georgia - Trinita Ervin Patton, MPH, CHC
CEO and Founder, Ladybug for Girls - Dale Stephens
Lead Pastor, Pure Hope - Eli (Eliezer) Vélez
Chief Operations Officer, Latin American Association - Mary Wilson
Co-Founder and CEO (Chief Everything Officer), Ubuntu Community Catalyst - Stephan Woodall
College and Career Specialist, Newton County School System
Candler School of Theology
- Letitia Campbell
Director of Contextual Education I and Clinical Pastoral Education, Assistant Professor in the Practice of Ethics and Society - Thomas Elliot
Associate Professor in the Practice of Practical Theology and Methodist Studies, Director of Contextual Education II, Teaching Parish, and Internships
Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Eri Saikawa
Associate Professor, Environmental Sciences, Winship Distinguished Research Professor (also Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health); Director of Emory Climate Talks - Kevin Karnes
Associate Dean for the Arts, Professor in Music
Oxford College
- Devon Goss
Assistant Professor, Sociology - Laura Gafnea
Director of Community Relations
Rollins School of Public Health
- Briana Woods-Jaeger
Associate Professor, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences - Erin Lebow-Skelley
Assistant Director and Community Engagement Manager, HERCULES - Srdjan Popovic
Senior Director of Student Affairs
Goizueta Business School
- Brian Goebel
Managing Director, Start:ME, Business and Society Institute
School of Medicine
- Sheryl Heron
Associate Dean for Community Engagement, Equity and Inclusion, Professor and Vice Chair of Faculty Equity, Engagement and Empowerment for Emergency Medicine - Melanie Demaeyer
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Maura George
Associate Professor; Social Medicine elective - Cliff Teague
Senior Director, Human Resources
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
- Lisa Nuñez
Assistant Director, Lillian Carter Center - Jacob Kariuki
Assistant Director for Global Health Research, Lillian Carter Center
Laney Graduate School
- Hilary King
Assistant Director, Master’s in Development Practice Program
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
- Lisa Nuñez
Assistant Director, Lillian Carter Center - Jacob Kariuki
Assistant Director for Global Health Research, Lillian Carter Center
Laney Graduate School
- Hilary King
Assistant Director, Master’s in Development Practice Program
School of Law
- Melissa Carter
Clinical Professor and Executive Director, Barton Child Law and Policy Center - Darren Hutchinson
John Lewis Chair for Civil Rights and Social Justice; Faculty Director, Center for Civil Rights and Social Justice; Director of Community and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Students
- Willie Hurst
PhD Student, Laney Graduate School - Shreya Ganguly
MD Student, Emory School of Medicine - Katie Clark C25
Community Building and Social Change Fellow, Emory College of Arts and Sciences - Eileen Matthews C26
Emory College of Arts and Sciences - Nicole Paul
MDP Student, Laney Graduate School
Related Resources
Emory Units and Groups
Center for Faculty Development and Excellence Engaged Learning
The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence promotes collaboration and meaningful relationships aimed to enhance courses and integrate best practices for pedagogies of engagement.
Office of Government and Community Affairs, Community Engagement
Read about how Emory GCA is developing sustained partnerships to address critical challenges in our community.
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Our DEI office staff foster inclusivity and promotes a positive educational environment. They are here to make Emory a supportive space for all.
Center for Civic and Community Engagement, Campus Life
Emory's Center for Civic and Community Engagement (CCE) supports members of the Emory community to develop and apply their skills to foster a kinder and more socially just world.
School of Medicine, Community Learning
Curriculums include a focus on treating underserved patients including the elderly, disabled, economically disadvantaged, and immigrants and refugees.
Lillian Carter Center, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
The Lillian Carter Center for Global Health & Social Responsibility is dedicated to preparing nurses to become globally engaged citizens.
Past Articles
Carnegie Foundation again recognizes Emory for community engagement
Jan. 14, 2015
Emory recognized for community engagement by Carnegie Foundation
Dec. 11, 2006
Carnegie Foundation
Get in Touch
Still have questions about the initiative? Contact us.
Be sure to use the subject line "Carnegie Classification Application" on your email to ensure we don't miss your message.
Vialla Hartfield-Méndez:
vhartfi@emory.edu