Indianapolis, Indiana – The University of Indianapolis has earned national recognition for its long-standing commitment to working hand in hand with its surrounding community. The institution has been awarded the 2026 Community Engagement Classification by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a designation that highlights colleges and universities that place community partnership at the center of their mission.
The Community Engagement Classification is widely viewed as one of the most respected acknowledgments in higher education. It recognizes institutions that demonstrate meaningful collaboration with local, regional, and global communities through teaching, research, and service. For UIndy, the designation reflects years of sustained effort rather than a single initiative.
“Higher education is a vital economic engine for us all. Our colleges and universities not only fuel science and innovation, they build prosperity in rural, urban and suburban communities nationwide,” said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation. “We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors—fostering civic engagement, building usable knowledge, and catalyzing real world learning experiences for students.”
UIndy is one of more than 270 colleges and universities across the United States to hold the Community Engagement Classification. Notably, it is a three-time recipient of the designation, having first been recognized as a Carnegie Community Engaged University in 2010. Within the 2026 cohort of 237 institutions, the University of Indianapolis stands out as one of just 80 private colleges and universities to achieve the honor.
University leaders say the recognition reflects how deeply community engagement is woven into campus life. From service-learning courses to faculty-led projects and student volunteer efforts, engagement is not treated as an add-on, but as a core part of the educational experience.
“This recognition affirms what has long been central to our mission and our strategic plan—that learning at UIndy is deeply connected to engaging the needs of our community,” said Marianna Foulkrod, UIndy’s Director of Service-Learning & Community Engagement. “Our students, faculty and staff work right alongside our tremendous community partners every single day to create meaningful relationships that benefit our city and our world, and empower graduates to lead with purpose.”
The Carnegie Classifications serve as the leading framework for categorizing colleges and universities in the United States. They are widely used by policymakers, researchers, and funding organizations as a benchmark for institutional performance and priorities. In 2022, the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation partnered to modernize the classifications, aiming to better reflect the wide range of missions and models found across higher education.
According to ACE President Ted Mitchell, the institutions receiving the 2026 designation demonstrate a broader commitment beyond academic instruction alone. “The institutions receiving the 2026 Community Engagement Classification exemplify American higher education’s commitment to the greater good,” said ACE President Ted Mitchell. “The beneficiaries of this unflagging dedication to public purpose missions are their students, their teaching and research enterprises, and their wider communities.”
The Community Engagement Classification is awarded through a detailed self-study process that requires institutions to document how engagement is integrated into their mission, operations, and outcomes. The framework has served as the primary national standard for assessing community engagement in higher education for nearly two decades, with classification cycles dating back to 2006.
Reviewers of the University of Indianapolis application highlighted the strong alignment between the university’s mission, campus culture, available resources, and everyday practices. They praised UIndy for fostering dynamic and consistent partnerships that produce real benefits for both students and community collaborators.
The 2026 classification will remain valid through 2032, offering long-term affirmation of the university’s approach to education and civic responsibility. University officials say the recognition reinforces their commitment to continuing and expanding partnerships that support learning, address community needs, and prepare students for purposeful leadership.
As colleges and universities across the country face growing expectations to demonstrate public value, UIndy’s recognition places it among a select group of institutions that have shown sustained dedication to community-centered education. For students, faculty, and partners alike, the designation serves as a reminder that higher education can be both academically rigorous and deeply rooted in service to others.
