The U joins 277 U.S. colleges and universities that currently hold the designation, which highlights an institution’s commitment to collaborating with their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.

The classification has been the leading framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement in U.S. higher education for the past 19 years. The College of Science is proud to learn that the REFUGES program, under the direction of Tino Nyawelo (Department of Physics & Astronomy) and embedded in the College's Center for Science and Mathematics Education is a feature of the recent classification of the U.

“It’s a public acknowledgement that the work we do matters, not only for the U but also the partners that we engage with,” said Jim Agutter, associate professor in the College of Architecture + Planning, and senior associate dean of faculty success and academic innovation in the Office of Undergraduate Studies (OUS). “We’ve built a whole infrastructure that supports the U’s mission to serve communities through student engagement, faculty research and staff-driven volunteer programs.”

The CE Classification is awarded following a process of self-study by each institution, which reapply every four years.

“This designation is a testament to the mutually beneficial impact we achieve when we work side by side,” said Jenny Mayer-Glenn, special assistant to the president for campus-community partners and director of University Neighborhood Partners. “We believe that when we come together as researchers, teachers, students and the broader community in partnership to listen deeply, build relationships, and share resources—we create outcomes that are stronger, and more impactful for our society as a whole.”

Among many, the U’s CE committee highlighted the U and U of U Health offices that provide engagement opportunities for students, faculty, staff and community partners, including:

• The Lowell Bennion Center, a central hub that has connected campus members to meaningful service work and partnerships since 1987.
• University Neighborhood Partners builds university-community partnerships by bringing to the table residents from Salt Lake City’s West Side—voices that have historically been unheard decision-making that affects their communities—to share ideas, identify common goals, and create their own initiatives.
• The Community Engaged Learning Program, housed in OUS, has certified more than 200 Community Engaged Learning-designated courses that give students hands-on experience working with community organizations on real-world projects—while getting credit towards their degree.
• The Community Collaborations Council, comprising representatives from 25 U of U Health departments, fosters partnerships across Utah to improve health and quality of life by integrating community insights into patient care, education, and research.
• The Huntsman Cancer Institute, specifically the Center for HOPE, serves as a bridge between scientists and community organizations (e.g., health care, government, education, nonprofits, faith based, social services, tribal) throughout Utah and the Intermountain West.

"The fact that the U has been consistently awarded this designation since 2010 demonstrates our leadership in the field," said Mitzi M. Montoya, executive vice president for Academic Affairs. "As our faculty and staff work alongside people in the community to make positive change, we will reach our goal of becoming a top 10 public university with unsurpassed societal impact."

Explore more U community projects below, including the College of Science's REFUGES program here.