Page 5 - UD Research Magazine Vol5-No1

UD receives Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
NEWS BRIEFS ///
opment of UD's application for the elective classification, which was submitted to the Carnegie Foundation in April 2014.
Under the leadership of Lynnette Young Overby, professor of theatre, a task force encompassing faculty, staff, students and community representatives researched and assembled the successful application, which included major sections focusing on founda- tional indicators, curricular engagement, and outreach and partnerships.
“Our findings underscored that UD is a dynamic force for good, involved in meaning- ful work in communities near and far,” Overby said. “UD is robustly engaged with communi- ties at the local, regional, national and global levels in efforts that benefit our students, faculty and staff, and the communities with whom we partner.”
UD is among 361 institutions that hold the Community Engagement designation. UD’s community engagement classification is valid until 2025. The re-application process will begin in 2023. —Tracey Bryant
Led by University of Delaware professor Yasser Payne, 15 residents of the Eastside and Southbridge neighborhoods of Wilming-
ton, Delaware, receive training as research assis- tants to help determine the underlying causes of violence affecting their communities.
Through the nationally recognized Lori’s Hands, founded by Sarah LaFave when she was a UD student, college students provide in-home support to people with chronic ill- nesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.
Thanks to the bridge over the Rio Vibora built by UD’s student chapter of Engineers Without Borders, residents of San Jose Peta- calapa in Guatemala can now easily reach their farmland even during the rainy season.
These are just a few of the many efforts for which the University of Delaware received the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Ad- vancement of Teaching in January 2015.
In order to be selected for the nationally recognized classification, institutions had to provide descriptions and examples of institu-
tionalized practices of community engage- ment that showed alignment among mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices.
“The University of Delaware is delighted that the Carnegie Foundation has recognized our deep commitment to working with community partners to address societal is- sues and contribute to the public good,” said Patrick T. Harker, UD president. “Community- based experiences are woven into UD’s teach- ing, research and service activities—they are critical to the education of our students as civic-minded, engaged citizens.”
Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1905 and chartered in 1906 by an Act of Congress, the Carnegie Foundation defines community engagement as “the collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.”
More than 300 unique community part- ners and over 375 examples of community projects were identified during the devel-
Lynnette Young Overby, professor
of theatre, leads UD's Community Engagement Commission. An internationally known expert in dance and choreography, she is shown with her students who are involved in ArtsBridge, a national network that is bringing the performing arts into K–12 schools.
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AMBRE ALEXANDER PAYNE