Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has received the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a recognition of its continued commitment to building partnerships that address public needs and enhance student learning.
The university is one of 237 institutions nationwide to be recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This designation, which is valid through 2032, assesses collaboration with nonprofit organizations, school districts, and government agencies.
The Carnegie Foundation’s evaluation looks at the scope and impact of community engagement efforts. EMU’s recognition highlights its integration of community-based learning, research, and service throughout its academic programs.
A team at EMU including Decky Alexander, Joe Rodriguez, Zuzana Tomas, Evan Finley, Anne Blakeslee, and Jennifer Kellman-Fritz managed the application process by collecting and analyzing institutional data.
“Though this is our second reclassification and our third recognition, this one feels especially hard-fought and affirming,” said Decky Alexander, theatre professor and director of Engage@EMU. “The challenges of COVID-19 and rapid changes in higher education could have disrupted our commitment to community engagement. Instead, they reaffirmed our mission to engage thoughtfully, intentionally, and reciprocally with our community, with both grace and grit.”
“The Carnegie designation is a significant achievement for EMU,” said Jennifer Kellman-Fritz, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “It signals how essential community-based work is to our mission. Our teaching, research, and clinical efforts are deeply rooted in community partnerships, and the team that contributed to this application was invaluable in demonstrating how we serve and collaborate with our partners.”
EMU’s community engagement activities include:
– An NIH-funded project led by Professor Tsu-Yin Wu focused on addressing firearm violence in Asian American communities.
– Faculty-guided social work research examining isolation among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
– Partnerships with local schools providing educational programming for K–12 students.
– Collaboration with Ypsilanti District Library offering literacy workshops.
– TESOL student involvement supporting language development for Afghan and Syrian refugees through Jewish Family Services.
The Carnegie Classification system has been used since 1973 as a leading framework for assessing U.S. colleges’ missions. In 2019 Eastern Michigan University was also recognized in the Carnegie Research Classification.
Founded in 1849 as a teacher training institution (source), Eastern Michigan University now offers more than 200 undergraduate majors and minors as well as various graduate programs (source). The university operates from its main campus in Ypsilanti (source)—featuring historic architecture alongside modern facilities—and serves over 12,000 students (source). EMU maintains a focus on applied education designed to prepare students for careers that make an impact in their communities official website.
More information about Eastern Michigan University can be found on its official website.
