University of Massachusetts Amherst Recognized as a "Community-Engaged University"

Strategic Insights -

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been designated a "Community-Engaged University" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, recognizing its commitment to integrating research and teaching with the community through various initiatives. The foundation, a policy and research center dedicated to improving teaching and learning, recognized UMass Amherst for its engagement initiatives, including an adoption mentoring partnership, a community health partnership in Hampden County, and support for a community in the Himalayas forced to move to a new site due to climate change. UMass Amherst joins 360 other schools across the U.S. that have received the classification since 2006.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Carnegie Foundation recognized the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a "Community-Engaged University" for its commitment to integrating research and teaching with the community through various initiatives.
  • The university's classification follows a year-long documentation and application effort by the Faculty Senate Council on Public Engagement and Outreach and the office of Civic Engagement and Service-Learning (CESL).
  • The Carnegie application highlighted 15 major initiatives being pursued by UMass Amherst with external partners, including the Adoption Mentoring Partnership, the Springfield/Holyoke Health Alliance for Research and Engagement (SHHARE), and the Himalayan Climate Change Adaptation Programme.
  • The university's community-engaged research and teaching are integral to fulfilling its land-grant mission to improve the quality of life in the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world.
  • CESL director John Reiff emphasized that community engagement is deeply integrated with teaching and research, and the recognition is a key step in realizing the university's mission.
  • UMass Amherst's community partnerships, such as the Adoption Mentoring Partnership, the SHHARE initiative, and the Center for Women & Community, demonstrate the university's commitment to mutually beneficial exchanges of knowledge and resources with external partners.

Statistics:

  • The Carnegie Foundation has recognized 360 schools across the U.S. as "Community-Engaged Universities" since 2006.
  • More than 4,100 degree-granting colleges and universities exist in the U.S.
  • The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been recognized as a "Community-Engaged University" for its commitment to integrating research and teaching with the community.
  • 15 major initiatives being pursued by UMass Amherst with external partners were highlighted in the Carnegie application.
  • The Adoption Mentoring Partnership has matched UMass students who are adopted with adopted children in the community since its inception.
  • The Center for Women & Community has provided free general and trauma-based counseling and information and referral services for all Hampshire County residents for 30 years.

Sources:

  • The University of Massachusetts Amherst (January 7)
  • The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (no date)
  • Rudd Adoption Research Program (no date)
  • Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Hampshire County (no date)
  • The Springfield/Holyoke Health Alliance for Research and Engagement (SHHARE) (no date)
  • The Center for Women & Community (no date)