National Resources


Campus Compact

“Campus Compact is a national coalition of nearly 1,100 colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. We are a network comprising a national office in Boston, MA and as well as state and regional Campus Compacts. As the only national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement, Campus Compact enables campuses to develop students' citizenship skills and forge effective community partnerships. Our resources support faculty and staff as they pursue community-based teaching and scholarship in the service of positive change.”

Learn more about Campus Compact

The Research University Civic Engagement Network (TRUCEN)

“Works to advance civic engagement and engaged scholarship among research universities and to create resources and models for use across higher education. TRUCEN, which is hosted by Campus Compact, calls upon research university colleagues to embrace a bold vision for civic and community engagement and work to bring it about. As secretariat for the network, Campus Compact serves as a convener and as a disseminator of information and resources.”

Learn more about TRUCEN

Imagining America

“Imagining America was launched at a 1999 White House Conference initiated by the White House Millennium Council, the University of Michigan, and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The name Imagining America reflected the theme of the White House Millennium Council that focused on renewing participation in all walks of U.S. life: “Honor the Past – Imagine the Future.”

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Cultural Agents Initiative

“Cultural Agents is an interface between academic learning and civic engagement. The Initiative promotes the divergent thinking of arts and humanities in the service of solutions to real life problems.

In courses, conferences, and community-based projects, we join a range of creative collaborators to feature art and interpretation as integral to active citizenship. Art is a force that drives innovation in everything from education, medicine, science, law, political leadership, and business. With a long humanistic tradition dedicated to civic development, and thanks to contemporary mentors who show how the challenges of scarcity, violence, and disease respond to creative interventions, Cultural Agents links resourcefulness with service.” (Cultural Agents website)

Learn more about the Cultural Agents Initiative

Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning

Starting in 1970, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education developed a classification of colleges and universities to support its program of research and policy analysis. The Carnegie Classification® has been the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education for the past four and a half decades.

Learn more about the Carnegie Classification

New England Resource Center for Higher Education (NERCHE)

The New England Resource Center for Higher Education (NERCHE) features an explanation of the Carnegie Classification of Community Engagement. This classification, created in 2005, compiles evidence based documentation to evaluate a school's relationship with its local, national and global communities.

Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH)

Established in 1997, Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH) is a nonprofit membership organization that promotes health equity and social justice through partnerships between communities and academic institutions.

Learn more about the Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH)

President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

"The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes institutions of higher education that support exemplary community service programs and raise the visibility of effective practices in campus community partnerships. The Honor Roll’s Presidential Award is the highest federal recognition an institution can receive for its commitment to community, service-learning, and civic engagement." (National Service website)

Learn more about the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll