University of Wisconsin - Parkside

01/12/2026 | Press release | Archived content

Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

UW-Parkside Earns 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

Published: January 12, 2026
Kenosha, Wis. - January 12, 2026 - The University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been awarded the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a prestigious national designation that recognizes colleges and universities for their deep, sustained commitment to community partnership, collaboration, and public impact.
UW-Parkside is one of 277 institutions nationwide and was the first institution in the state of Wisconsin to receive this recognition in 2006, administered by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
"Higher education is a vital economic engine for us all," said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. "We celebrate these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors-fostering civic engagement, building usable knowledge, and catalyzing real-world learning experiences for students."
"This recognition affirms the extraordinary work of our faculty, staff, students, and community partners who collaborate every day to address regional needs, expand opportunity, and create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences," said Chancellor Lynn Akey.
UW-Parkside has a long history of earning Carnegie recognition for community engagement, reflecting its role as a regional public university deeply connected to southeastern Wisconsin. "The Carnegie Classification validates the intentional, relationship-driven approach UW-Parkside takes to community engagement," said Steve Donovan, Executive Director for Parkside Works and Associate Vice Chancellor. "It reflects years of collaboration with our partners and our commitment to integrating real-world experience, workforce innovation, and community impact into everything we do."
The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification has served as the nation's leading framework for assessing and recognizing institutional community engagement for nearly two decades, with classification cycles dating back to 2006.
More information about UW-Parkside's community engagement efforts and its Carnegie Classification history can be found at www.uwp.edu.
About the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is an elective designation that recognizes institutions of higher education for their demonstrated commitment to community engagement through teaching, research, and service. It is jointly administered by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
About the University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Since its founding in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been a trusted partner for the region's higher educational needs, empowering students to thrive, advancing applied knowledge, and developing talent for the future. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and pre-professional programs, designed to foster personal and professional growth through real-world and impactful learning experiences. Located in the dynamic Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, UW-Parkside offers unmatched access to world-class internships, professional networks, and endless career-building opportunities, placing students at the center of it all.

Since its founding in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been a trusted partner for the region's higher educational needs, empowering students to thrive, advancing applied knowledge, and developing talent for the future. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and pre-professional programs, designed to foster personal and professional growth through real-world and impactful learning experiences. Located in the dynamic Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, UW-Parkside offers unmatched access to world-class internships, professional networks, and endless career-building opportunities, placing students at the center of it all.

Media Contact:
Communications Manager
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
[email protected]

University of Wisconsin - Parkside published this content on January 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 14, 2026 at 23:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]