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Carnegie Reclassification Anchor University

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About Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement

The Carnegie Classification is a nationally recognized and prestigious designation for institutions to demonstrate their commitment to community engagement, which refers to the collaboration and partnership between institutions of higher education and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources. The classification process is intended to improve educational effectiveness of the campus through institutionalizing community engagement.

Sacramento State was one of 119 colleges and universities to be named a Carnegie Community-Engaged Campus by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2020. We first received this classification in 2010 and again in 2015 and have made great strides as an Anchor University to maintain this nationwide and prestigious designation. We are due for re-classification in 2026.

Sac State’s commitment to community engagement goes hand in hand with its Anchor University Initiative. This commitment continued most notably with the creation of the Anchor University Task Force in Fall 2018 and, subsequently, the creation of the Anchor University Advisory Council in Fall 2020 to support our Anchor mission. “As an Anchor University, Sacramento State has a vested interest in the well-being of the Sacramento Region and strives to support and improve the quality of life in the community in which we serve. As a place-based institution, the University aims to bring the full weight of its intellectual and economic readiness to support the growth and flourishing of the city and region -- most especially, to address those neighborhoods and communities that have historically been underrepresented and underserved.”

Reclassification Process

As in previous re-classification cycles, a steering committee on the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement is working to gather evidence and craft a narrative that demonstrates depth and pervasiveness of engagement across the university (in terms of level of collaboration, reciprocity, equity, etc.), as well as the quality of community engagement and community partnerships. To demonstrate high quality engagement that is deeply embedded across all programs and divisions, this group has been looking for "engagement" across all aspects of the campus. As of 2023, the steering committee works in collaboration with the Anchor University Advisory Council to support continual improvement of our engagement efforts.

For the next re-classification report, we will be gathering evidence and crafting a narrative that:

  • demonstrates the changes the campus has made to strengthen institutionalized campus engagement since the last time we were classified
  • demonstrates that mutually beneficial, equitable, and reciprocal engagement is deeply embedded across all programs and divisions, including budget, strategic plans, RTP documents, student curriculum, co-curricular activities, planning, etc.
  • demonstrates the effective use of assessments related to community engagement to promote impactful engagement and address concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion.

Carnegie Reclassification Powerpoint

Why Reclassify?

Sacramento State is pursuing re-classification because it reflects our ongoing commitment to high-quality community engagement. As demonstrated by our identity as an Anchor University, Sac State prides its engagement as a key component of who we are and what we do.

  • As an Anchor University, community engagement is a vital part of our identity and culture (who we are and what we do).
  • The re-classification process provides a mechanism for thorough evaluation into whether our engagement is deep and pervasive (where we are now).
  • The re-classification process also offers an opportunity to identify areas for future institutional change so that our engagement may be more collaborative, reciprocal, and equitable over time (where we want to be).  

Reclassification Leadership

Under the auspices of Academic Affairs represented by Dr. David Zeigler, Vice Provost (Interim) for Student Academic Success, and Dr. James German, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the Carnegie Reclassification Process will be led by: :

  • Dr. Erin Rose Ellison, Associate Professor, Psychology Department (Lead Facilitator)
  • Dr. Chong Choe-Smith, Associate Professor, Philosophy Department (Lead Facilitator)
  • Dr. Dana Kivel, Professor, Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration Department (Consultant)