Community Engagement as Distinction

Recommendation from the Community Engagement Task Force:

Make community engagement a point of distinction for Gustavus and receive the Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification.

Additional explanation:

Ultimately, community engagement should be a critical differentiator of the Gustavus brand, what the College is really known for. Gustavus has an opportunity to create a premier model of community engagement in a rural context. One step to mark this point of distinction would be to gain the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation. By focusing on the Carnegie recognition, Gustavus will dedicate the resources, energy and priority to the recommendations and programs that build community engagement and drive the recognition.

This recommendation was placed in the Quality-Enhancing and Innovative Initiatives Strategic Framework Substantive Category using the language:

Make community engagement a point of distinction for Gustavus; this might include developing a “signature” program, receiving the Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification, being considered as a “thought leader,” and creating a faculty development program focused on incorporating service/service-learning/engaged learning in course curriculum.

This recommendation was placed is Tier 2 and is being monitored by the Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs.