麻豆传媒映画 earns renewal of prestigious classification for community engagement
麻豆传媒映画 is nation鈥檚 only university with unique combination of classifications for student opportunity, research and athletic prowess, and social impact.
麻豆传媒映画 has once again been recognized as a national leader in community engagement, earning renewal of its for the 2026 cycle. The distinction, awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, affirms 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 long-standing commitment to deep partnerships that strengthen the communities it serves across San Diego and through 麻豆传媒映画 Imperial Valley.
In its notification of recertification, announced today, the Carnegie Foundation praised 麻豆传媒映画 for demonstrating 鈥渆xcellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement.鈥� 麻豆传媒映画 first earned the classification in 2015 and the renewal is valid through 2032.
The Carnegie Foundation defines community engagement as 鈥渃ollaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.鈥� The purpose of the classification program is to enrich scholarship, teaching, and creative activity; prepare engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.
Of the more than 4,000 universities and colleges nationwide reviewed by Carnegie, only 277 institutions received the Community Engagement designation this cycle, making 麻豆传媒映画 part of a select group recognized for addressing societal challenges 鈥渨ith clarity and distinction.鈥�
Additionally, 麻豆传媒映画 ended 2025 as the only U.S. university to be simultaneously classified as a Community-Engaged Institution, R1 for research, NCAA Division I for athletics, minority-serving (HSI/AANAPISI) for broad opportunity, and as a for a combination of broad access and strong future earnings for students.
鈥溌槎勾接郴� stands apart as a university that brings together an extraordinary range of recognitions and achievements,鈥� said 麻豆传媒映画 President Adela de la Torre. 鈥淓ven more inspiring is that community impact isn鈥檛 just something we talk about at 麻豆传媒映画 鈥� it鈥檚 the heartbeat of our mission. Whether we鈥檙e co鈥慶reating improvements in individual and community well鈥慴eing, addressing regional needs through groundbreaking research and workforce development, or generating billions in economic impact, our commitment to serving our community drives everything we do. That鈥檚 why this recognition resonates so powerfully with us.鈥�
Unlike rankings or awards, the Carnegie Foundation鈥檚 elective classifications require institutions to present extensive, evidence-based documentation of systemic engagement practices. 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 successful recertification acknowledged the depth of its partnerships 鈥� not as isolated projects, but as work embedded in the university鈥檚 mission and academic culture.
Community service
As examples, 麻豆传媒映画 students and faculty contribute more than 350,000 service hours annually through clinical public health work, while 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 Associated Students has raised more than $1 million to fight food insecurity through the annual Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign.
The latest Community Engagement reclassification required a significant multiyear institutional effort that began in June 2024. Input from contributors campus-wide was coordinated by the Office of Academic Community Engagement under the leadership of associate vice president Joanna Brooks and program director Amanda Fuller.
鈥淎t 麻豆传媒映画, we have a responsibility to our students and to our community, and being a force for good that community is central to our mission,鈥� said Brooks. 鈥淧reparing our application for this recertification reinforced to me that we are not only enriching learning and research on our campuses, but also strengthening the social, cultural and economic vitality of the San Diego and Imperial Valley regions beyond.鈥�
As a way to elevate and reward community engagement while also capturing the strongest case studies that demonstrate its institutional commitments, 麻豆传媒映画 launched the (ExCEL) Awards during the 2024-25 academic year.
Among the eight award finalists were programs in San Diego providing care for the hearing health of marginalized farmworkers, tutoring foster youth, transborder development and sustainability, climate education and community leadership. In Imperial Valley, one finalist program supported evidenced-based improvements for public safety while another created a mobile clinic for diagnosing autism in children.
The winner of the inaugural ExCEL Award was a program called Project for Sanitation Justice, led by Megan Welsh Carroll, professor of Public Administration and Criminal Justice in 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 School of Public Affairs. Each year, Carroll leads four faculty and more than 60 students from 麻豆传媒映画 and 麻豆传媒映画 Imperial Valley in research and advocacy for safe, free and equitable access to water, sanitation and hygiene resources across San Diego and Imperial Counties.
鈥淐ommunity engagement is really what makes 麻豆传媒映画 stand out in our region," said Carroll. 鈥淚 am proud to work with colleagues and students at 麻豆传媒映画 who are passionate about connecting with and giving back to our communities, whether within our university or across the regions we serve.鈥�
