The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is an elective designation awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to higher education institutions that demonstrate institutionalized practices of community engagement.

The classification recognizes campuses that are aligned with their communities through teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and reciprocal partnerships that contribute to the public good.

Learn more: View Carnegie Classifications

Academic Year 2022-2023 Data

UTEP’s 2026 application demonstrated the depth and breadth of the university’s community engagement, including:

• 197 active community partnerships across the Paso del Norte region.

• More than 85 faculty members engaged in community-based teaching and research.

• The Community Engagement & Leadership (CEL) course designation expanded across colleges to promote community-based learning.

• The Community-University Engagement (CUE) platform tracks more than 100,000 student community engagement hours annually.

• UTEP’s 2030 Strategic Plan includes Community Impact and Public Service as a core institutional priority.

• UTEP’s research agenda addresses community priorities such as public health, education equity, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and border issues.

• The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) continues to serve as UTEP’s institutional hub for advancing community engagement across teaching, research, and service.

The preparation of UTEP’s 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification application was a collaborative effort. We extend our sincere thanks to the writing team, led by the Center for Community Engagement, with significant contributions from:

• Faculty and staff across UTEP’s colleges, schools, and departments

• Members of the Provost’s Community Engagement Council

• Community partners who provided valuable input and feedback

• Institutional leaders and staff from:

  • Academic Affairs

  • Student Affairs

  • Center for Institutional Evaluation, Research, and Planning (CIERP)

  • Office of Research and Innovation

This collective effort reflects UTEP’s deep institutional commitment to advancing community engagement as a public-serving research university.

View the Writing Team Members

UTEP will be notified of its 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification status in January 2026. In the meantime, the university continues to strengthen its community-based teaching, research, and partnerships in alignment with its mission and strategic priorities.

To learn more about UTEP’s community engagement efforts, visit the Center for Community Engagement.

“Community engagement is core to who we are at UTEP, and I intend to continue making it a priority.”

— Heather Wilson, President of The University of Texas at El Paso
(Excerpt from UTEP’s 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification application)