Update on VCU’s Carnegie Reclassification Process: Advancing Community Engagement at Every Level
As we continue to move forward in the process of reclassification for the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, we are excited to share updates on where we stand and the progress we’ve made. This milestone reflects VCU’s ongoing commitment to being a leader in community engagement—an aspect that is deeply woven into the fabric of our university.
Where We Stand
We are pleased to share that we now have a completed first draft of our reclassification application. This draft is currently under review. While we’ve made great strides, there is still work ahead to ensure our application fully captures the depth and breadth of community engagement at VCU.
Our goal is to highlight VCU’s community engagement as a central, unifying force that spans across all levels of learning, discovery, teaching, creation, and service. It’s clear that community engagement is not a stand-alone initiative—it’s integrated into everything we do.
Highlighting VCU’s Unique Approach to Community Engagement
At VCU, community engagement is more than a buzzword; it’s embedded in our DNA. The data we’ve collected so far paints a picture of how this engagement is pervasive across campus. We are proud to show how community partnerships foster learning, drive impactful research, and influence service across the university.
One of the key strengths of our application is the integration of stories from our campus community—stories that speak to VCU’s long history of and deep commitment to community engagement. These narratives, coupled with data, help showcase VCU’s rich and diverse efforts in this area.
Challenges and Gaps: Navigating Data Collection
However, there are challenges in this process, particularly when it comes to the sheer quantity and decentralization of data across campus. With VCU’s diverse units, departments, and health system, gathering and synthesizing this data has proven complex. But we’re making progress, working tirelessly to identify missing pieces of information and ensure that every corner of our campus is represented.
Among the data we are still gathering are examples of community engagement in the curriculum, professional development opportunities for VCU faculty and staff, and a clearer picture of the dollars and percentage of community-engaged research within our portfolio. We’re particularly committed to ensuring that examples come from all schools and colleges so we can provide a comprehensive view of the university’s engagement efforts.
Campus and Community Collaboration
In terms of involvement, campus units and departments have been essential in helping to build the narrative and collect data. Over the past year, we’ve conducted surveys and met with Deans and Associate Deans to discuss findings. We also hosted a campus town hall to engage the VCU community and plan to hold more of these as we continue our work.
The stories and data we’ve gathered feature numerous rich examples of academic-community partnerships, including projects such as the Richmond Cemetery Collaboratory, Mobile Health and Wellness Project, East Marshall Well Street Project, and The Truth Project. These collaborations represent the intersection of research, service, and community needs.
Community Perspectives and Student Involvement
Community voice has played a crucial role in this process. We’ve worked to ensure that we incorporate feedback from our community partners, including through surveys and town hall meetings, with plans for ongoing engagement.
Students are also actively involved in this process, with three students contributing research assistance and the Student Ambassadors Council expected to play a greater role as we move forward. Students are gaining valuable experiences through community engagement initiatives, and programs like REAL, Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs), and Every Ram’s a Researcher are opening up even more opportunities.
Key Themes and Meaningful Impacts
One key theme emerging from the application is the integration of community engagement throughout VCU’s strategic priorities, such as Quest 2028 and One VCU. These efforts work in tandem to elevate the importance of community engagement across the university.
The impact of community engagement is already being felt across campus and beyond. For example, the Mobile Health and Wellness Project, Missions of Mercy, RTR Teacher Residency, and the Shift Retail Lab have sustained and expanded their reach over time. New projects like the TRUTH Project and Citizenship Classes have emerged in response to direct community requests.
Next Steps and How You Can Help
Looking ahead, we need your support in elevating our collective understanding of community engagement. We want everyone to recognize the value of the work they do and explore ways to engage even more deeply. By continuing to share our learnings through town halls, blog posts, and Scholars Compass, we will work to amplify the visibility and impact of VCU’s community engagement efforts.
We are excited to continue building and sharing this narrative with our VCU community. Your contributions, your voice, and your work are what make VCU a leader in community engagement. Together, we’ll create a comprehensive story that truly reflects the power of our collective efforts.
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for your continued support as we work toward this important goal.