Topics: Administrative, Building Better Communities
January 7, 2015
Ball State University has earned the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
The designation caps a more than two-year process that involved representatives from all seven colleges and included a detailed self-study, said Delaina Boyd, director, business development with Building Better Communities. The classification, created in 2006, recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an institution-wide commitment to public service, civic involvement and community partnerships.
Ball State has a long history of service and collaboration, including immersive learning opportunities that allow students to apply classroom knowledge to solve real problems for businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
The university is one of 361 institutions nationwide to earn the classification, which is valid through 2025.
John Fallon, associate vice president of economic development and community engagement, said the process was a valuable chance to weigh Ball State’s efforts against national standards.
“The classification brings a new level of legitimacy and visibility to the accomplishments of our faculty and students,” said Fallon.
Boyd said the self-study included a full year of data mining and in-person interviews. The final application referenced the outreach efforts of more than 200 individuals, departments and centers at the university.
“I’ve been involved in outreach and engagement projects here for nearly 25 years, and even I was surprised by the depth and breadth of our activities,” Boyd said. “Our faculty, staff and students want to know they are involved in work that matters. This recognition further validates their efforts and confirms that community engagement is part of Ball State’s DNA.”
Read the application.