Central College has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for proven community engagement. Central is one of six Iowa colleges and universities to receive the Community Engagement Classification for 2015.
To demonstrate community engagement, Central submitted evidence that the campus mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices support contributions to important community agendas. After completing the rigorous application, the college was selected to join 361 institutions that hold the classification.
“The importance of this elective classification is borne out by the response of so many campuses that have demonstrated their deep engagement with local, regional, national and global communities,” said John Saltmarsh, director of the New England Resource Center for Higher Education. “These are campuses that are improving teaching and learning, producing research that makes a difference in communities, and revitalizing their civic and academic missions.”
Cheri Doane, director of community-based learning, said students, professors and administrators at Central all contributed examples of community engagement. “There is evidence of Central’s civic commitment in all corners of campus,” Doane said. “It is an entire campus collaboration.”
Central students, faculty, staff and alumni participated in more than 50 community service projects in Pella and surrounding areas for Community Service Day in 2014.
Mary Strey, vice president for academic affairs, said engaging with communities inherently requires the involvement of the entire college.
“Central’s mission statement calls us to work with students to develop the values of responsible citizenship within our local, national and global communities,” Strey said. “One of our five strategic initiatives is to develop further programs to reflect Central’s commitment to community engagement. It is embedded in our work educating the next generation of leaders.”
The college partners with area communities in many ways, such as collaborating on grant proposals, hosting youth camps and supporting community music ensembles. Staff members can receive paid time off for community volunteer work, and students can lead by recruiting other students for service and civic engagement. More than 50 Central College courses have community-based learning components, and students can serve around the world through any of Central’s study abroad programs.
Rep. Dave Loebsack has also recognized Central for contributing to the public good. “Central College is a cornerstone of the Pella community and their dedication to making their community the best it can be should be commended,” Loebsack said. “This honor shows the great value Central places on service to community and learning by being involved. I am pleased the students’ and faculty’s hard work is being recognized.”
The Community Engagement Classification takes place on a five-year cycle. Central will be classified until 2025, after which the college will have to demonstrate further improvements from its civic commitment.
The Foundation, through the work of the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, developed the first typology of American colleges and universities in 1970 as a research tool to describe and represent the diversity of U.S. higher education. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education (now housed at Indiana University Bloomington’s Center for Postsecondary Research) continues to be used for a wide range of purposes by academic researchers, institutional personnel, policymakers and others.
