Carnegie Foundation endorses K-State for community engagement
Friday, Jan. 31, 2020
Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Shelter Medicine Mobile Surgery Unit provided basic veterinary services at the 2019 Everybody Counts event in Manhattan, Kans. As an extension of its community engagement activities. Photo by Evert Nelson. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — The Carnegie Foundation today named Kansas State University as one of 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the 2020 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for the university's commitment to community engagement. K-State is one of 75 institutions to be reclassified by the Carnegie Foundation this year.
This classification honors higher education institutions that demonstrate a dedication to collaborate at a local, state, national and global level to share knowledge and information. K-State first received this classification in 2010. A total of 359 institutions now hold the community engagement designation.
"Engagement is in the DNA of Kansas State University," said Charles Taber, provost and executive vice president. "It has been embraced since our founding as the first operating land-grant university and continues today through our numerous and varied community partnerships."
The university has more than 50 signature partnerships across its campuses and in numerous communities. Examples of some of the partnerships highlighted in the application include:
• Mobile Surgery Unit of the Shelter Medicine program in K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine visits regional animal shelters to provide on-site spay/neuter and medical triage within a two-hour drive of Manhattan.
• Project EXCELL: Extending College Enrichment for Lifelong Learning provides personal enrichment and life skills classes to adults 18 years and older with developmental disabilities.
• Science Communications Initiative strives to bring scientists and the community together to drive conversations about science and research. Key aspects include professional development opportunities for scientists to learn how to best communicate high-level, complex ideas as well as opportunities for the public to learn and engage with scientists in a relaxed setting.
In 2006 the university created the Center for Engagement and Community Development to enhance and broaden community partnerships. The center is the liaison for connecting university personnel and resources in the areas of economic development, community coaching, public health, entrepreneurship, arts development, environmental stewardship and community visioning. Additionally, the center is responsible for reporting on community engagement for the university.
"The Carnegie designation reinforces the engagement activities of the university and the commitment to continue," said David Procter, director of the Center for Engagement and Community Development. "I am so proud of K-State's administration, faculty, staff and students for daily efforts to work in partnership with our community partners to address the significant challenges faced by Kansans and communities worldwide."
