CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been awarded the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a national distinction that recognizes higher education institutions demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to community engagement. Illinois previously received this recognition in 2008 and 2015, underscoring a sustained, long-term commitment to public engagement.
“It is both our responsibility and our privilege to work with communities locally and throughout the state to improve lives, broaden access to education, and expand economic opportunity,” Chancellor Charles L. Isbell, Jr. said. “This designation affirms the transformative impact of our partnerships and underscores that our public service mission is central to who we are.”
“As a land-grant university, Illinois remains committed to putting knowledge, training, and readiness into the hands of citizens while engaging with and learning from communities from the local to the global,” Provost John Coleman said. “Community engagement is embedded across our academic mission, connecting faculty expertise with communities to define and address societal challenges and inspiring and training students to change the future.”
As the outreach branch of the state's land-grant institution, University of Illinois Extension is dedicated to helping people find solutions to life’s challenges. Through a network of 27 multi-county units, Extension staff serve all 102 counties and respond to local needs by developing educational programs and building partnerships.
“This recognition affirms the deep integration of community engagement across our mission, culture, and practices,” said Wanda E. Ward, Executive Associate Chancellor for Public Engagement. “It reflects the collective work of faculty, staff, students, and community partners who are advancing reciprocal, mutually beneficial partnerships that address critical 21st-century societal challenges.”
Illinois’ application documented how community engagement is embedded across teaching, research, service, and operations, and how this work is strengthened through authentic collaboration with local, regional, national, and global partners. Led by the Office of Public Engagement, the effort involved extensive collaboration across colleges, departments, centers, and administrative units and was supported by campuswide engagement structures, including the Coordinating Council for Public Engagement.
The classification is conferred by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The 2026 classification process reflects activities from the 2023–2024 academic year and is valid through 2032. The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is the leading framework for assessing and recognizing institutional engagement in U.S. higher education. In the 2026 cycle, 237 colleges and universities nationwide earned the designation, joining a total of 277 institutions currently holding the classification. More information about the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is available online.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.