The Ohio State University has scored some major points with the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, snagging the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement (CE) Classification that puts a spotlight on the school's commitment to collaborating with communities near and far, as reported by Ohio State News.
Ravi V. Bellamkonda, Ohio State's executive vice president and provost, took pride in the accomplishment saying, "Ohio State’s recognition by the Carnegie Foundation is a testament to our university’s commitment to improving the lives of people in the communities we serve throughout Ohio, across the nation and around the globe," per Ohio State News. The CE Classification isn't awarded lightly – it comes after a self-study by each institution, and there's a history to this acknowledgment as Ohio State previously clinched the designation in 2008, and bagged a reclassification in 2015.
It's all about mutual benefits, according to Jason Reece, vice provost for engaged scholarship and community engagement. He stated, "The mutually beneficial collaborations we have with our community partners greatly enhance our discovery, learning and impact," in an announcement shared by Ohio State News. Ohio State has leaned into this engagement, it's even baked into their strategic plan, titled Education for Citizenship 2035, which pushes for impactful research and community service, aiming to boost economic prosperity and vitality locally, nationally, and even globally.
Among the university's efforts are the Learning in Fitness and Education through Sports (LiFEsports) program and the Columbus Free Clinic (CFC), which not only serve the community but also provide hands-on experience to Ohio State students. For instance, LiFEsports sees over 1,000 young individuals dive into summer camps and year-round activities, while 400 students volunteer annually at the CFC, a clinic that seeks to address the healthcare needs of the underserved folk of Columbus.
Coming back to the 2026 CE Classification, Ohio State is one of 237 institutions that were awarded, contributing to the total of 277 institutions currently holding the designation. ACE President Ted Mitchell praised the awardees, "The institutions receiving the 2026 Community Engagement Classification exemplify American higher education’s commitment to the greater good," according to Ohio State News, which is quite the acclaim for the universities stepping up their community game.
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