University of Minnesota Rochester Receives National Community Engagement Distinction

The University of Minnesota Rochester has been awarded the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a national recognition that highlights UMR’s extraordinary commitment to community engagement. 

This designation is administered by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and requires evidence-based documentation of institution policies and practices that support community engagement. These initiatives enrich student experience, preparing educated and engaged citizens committed to the public good. 

UMR’s health centered partnerships and community integrated campus environment, as well as an intentionally designed curriculum that ensures every graduate has engaged in community-based learning were key factors in this designation.

“Citizen advocates brought this University of Minnesota campus to the Rochester community. Now, we aspire for our students to learn from and contribute to the communities in this region.  We’re grateful not only for the past civic engagement that created this campus, but also to the current partners that make UMR student community-engagement possible,” said Chancellor Lori Carrell. 

This prestigious recognition has been granted to only 357 institutions, including U of M Morris, U of M Twin Cities, U of M Crookston and U of M Duluth making the University of Minnesota the nation’s first and only university system in which every individual campus has received this selective distinction.