Carnegie Foundation recognizes university outreach, partnerships

The University of South Carolina has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as one of the nation’s leaders in providing programs that benefit and engage communities.

The university is one of 68 public and 51 private institutions selected for the Carnegie Foundation’s 2008 “Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnerships” classification. It joins 76 other institutions selected in 2006.

University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides said the classification highlights the university’s success in fulfilling its mission of teaching, research and outreach.

“Every day, the University of South Carolina touches the lives of people in every city and small community of our state,” he said. “We provide myriad programs that enhance the well-being of communities while advancing scholarship on our campus.

“From programs that promote literacy and stimulate intellectual debate to the education of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to collaborations that foster economic growth and development, our university is an integral part of the life of the Palmetto State,” Pastides said.

The Carnegie Foundation invited colleges and universities with an institutional focus on community engagement to apply for the classification, which offered three categories: Curricular Engagement, for institutions that offer teaching, learning and scholarship to help meet community needs; Outreach and Partnerships, for institutions using their resources to benefit the community and campus and provide collaborations to advance economic development, research and Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnerships, for institutions with substantial commitments in both areas.

Pastides said the Carnegie designation underscores the university’s commitment to share its resources, hire faculty who support the university’s education, research and outreach mission, and develop its infrastructure and leadership in ways that serve the community and increase students’ involvement in their communities.

Service learning has become an integral part of the university’s culture, said Jimmie Gahagan, the university’s assistant vice provost for student engagement.

“Service learning enables faculty to enhance and augment the learning and instruction accomplished within the classroom on a real-life, practical level,” Gahagan said. “Students are attracted to service-learning courses because learned material can be applied in realistic settings. Students who participate in service activities often have higher levels of academic achievement and gain valuable experience for their future.”

While budget cuts have forced the university to examine every facet of its future, Pastides said the university will continue to build on the strengths of its successful programs and people.

“This Carnegie classification underscores the importance of community engagement and the role that colleges and universities have in the lives of people locally and globally,” said Pastides, whose recent holiday message focused on students who are service leaders.

To learn more about the 2008 Community Engagement Classification on the Carnegie Web site, visit www.carnegiefoundation.org.

Visit www.sc.edu/servicelearning for information on the university’s service learning initiatives.