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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 237 institutions that have been recognized with the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement! We first received this classification in 2010 and have made great strides as a community-engaged campus to maintain this nationwide and prestigious designation.
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 worked to gather evidence and craft a narrative that demonstrated 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 examined "engagement" across all aspects of the campus.
Carnegie Reclassification Powerpoint
Why Reclassify?
Sacramento State has pursued re-classification because it reflects our ongoing commitment to high-quality community engagement. Sacramento State takes pride in its engagement as a key component of 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, former Vice Provost (Interim) for Student Academic Success, and Dr. James German, former Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the Carnegie Reclassification Process was led by:
Dr. Erin Rose Ellison, Associate Professor, Psychology Department (Lead Facilitator and Author)
Dr. Chong Choe-Smith, Associate Professor, Philosophy Department (Lead Facilitator and Author)
Dr. Dana Kivel, Professor Emeritus, Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration Department (Consultant)