2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification: UTEP Application Highlights
We’re proud to announce that The University of Texas at El Paso has been reclassified with the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, one of the most prestigious elective designations in U.S. higher education. This national recognition, awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, highlights UTEP’s sustained commitment to meaningful, reciprocal partnerships that advance community-engaged teaching, research, and service. (carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu)
UTEP has held this designation since 2010, and the latest application reflects our deep impact across the Paso del Norte region — from expanding community-engaged courses and tracking more than 700,000 student engagement hours to fostering nearly 200 active partnerships with local organizations.
This distinction not only celebrates the university’s ongoing work with faculty, staff, students, and community partners, but also reinforces UTEP’s role as a leader in advancing educational equity, health and well-being, economic development, and civic life.
About the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
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
To view specific data per each UTEP college/unit click here.
Highlights from UTEP’s 2026 Carnegie Application
UTEP’s 2026 application demonstrated the depth and breadth of the university’s community engagement, including:
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197 active community partnerships across the Paso del Norte region.
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More than 85 faculty members engaged in community-based teaching and research.
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The Community Engagement & Leadership (CEL) course designation expanded across colleges to promote community-based learning.
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The Community-University Engagement (CUE) platform tracks more than 100,000 student community engagement hours annually.
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UTEP’s 2030 Strategic Plan includes Community Impact and Public Service as a core institutional priority.
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UTEP’s research agenda addresses community priorities such as public health, education equity, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and border issues.
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The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) continues to serve as UTEP’s institutional hub for advancing community engagement across teaching, research, and service.
Application Writing Team
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:
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Faculty and staff across UTEP’s colleges, schools, and departments
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Members of the Provost’s Community Engagement Council
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Community partners who provided valuable input and feedback
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Institutional leaders and staff from:
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Academic Affairs
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Student Affairs
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Center for Institutional Evaluation, Research, and Planning (CIERP)
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Office of Research and Innovation
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This collective effort reflects UTEP’s deep institutional commitment to advancing community engagement as a public-serving research university.
Next Steps
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.
“Community engagement is core to who we are at UTEP, and I intend to continue making it a priority.”
