In 2010, West Chester University received the Carnegie Foundation Classification for Community Engagement (CCE), based on evidence that the institution was engaged in mutually beneficial partnerships with the larger community and committed to that work. An elective classification, the CCE runs on a ten-year cycle, which means WCU will be up for reclassification in 2020.
Currently, a total of 361 campuses have received the CCE, which involves data collection and documentation of important aspects of institutional mission, identity, and commitment related to community engagement. The Carnegie Foundation defines community engagement as “collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.”
The purpose of community engagement is:
The mission of West Chester University is that we are a community of educators that develops graduates to succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good. To fulfill this mission the institution focuses on student success and institutional improvement as measured by several goals one of which is community and cultural engagement.
Over the next year we will be engaging in a self-study to measure our institutional goal of community and cultural engagement based on several areas articulated by the Carnegie Foundation. These areas include: foundational indicators of community engagement (i.e. institutional culture and commitment, faculty and student roles), curricular engagement, outreach and partnerships, institution, partnerships & programs, and students & curriculum.
Please review the respective areas: Student Roles, Curricular Engagement, and Outreach and Partnerships and if you have evidence to support our institution’s ability to meet the criterion please respond using the feedback link.