Community Engagement
Building partnerships that empower communities and drive positive change through collaboration and shared knowledge.
About outreach and engagement
Universities change lives
Through outreach and engagement, we engage, serve, and work in partnership with communities for the co-creation of knowledge, addressing the needs of today and tomorrow.
What is University-Community Engagement?
The Carnegie Community Engagement classification defines Community Engagement as: “The collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity” (Carnegie Foundation, 2008).
Colorado State University applies this definition of community engagement across a spectrum of our engagement and outreach activities. University-community engagement includes communities of place, interest, purpose, and practice. If you live in Colorado, even if you have never been to a CSU campus, we consider you a part of our community.
What is Engaged Scholarship?
Engaged Scholarship is the integration of academic scholarship and community engagement. As a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, our goal is to work with communities, providing university knowledge and resources to help build community capacity.
Introduced in 2019, the Continuum of Engaged Scholarship is a framework to identify the breadth of engaged research, teaching and service activities. Engaged scholars at CSU co-create solutions and new knowledge with communities, while offering a model to individual faculty and departments for documenting progress, demonstrating and evaluating impact. Adapted from the International Association for Public Participation, CSU’s Continuum of Engaged Scholarship provides a roadmap for us to challenge ourselves and with the goal of continuous improvement.
CSU’s National Designations for Community Engagement
CSU earned the Carnegie Foundation’s Classification for Community Engagement designation in 2000 and 2015, and continues to hold the designation. The classification is a rigorous nationally reviewed process and documents important aspects of institutional mission, identity and commitments to engaged scholarship. It is an evidence-based certification of institutional practice, similar to an accreditation process of self-study.
Learn more about the Carnegie Engagement Classification
In 2016, CSU earned the Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) Universities Designation from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. The IEP Awards Program recognizes institutions who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to and achievement in economic and community development – CSU received the “Place” Award in 2016.
Learn more about the Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Program
Colorado State University’s awards and recognition
In 2018, CSU earned the “Talent” Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. The Innovation and Economic Prosperity Awards Program recognizes institutions who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to and achievement in economic and community development.
Learn more about the Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Program
CSU has been recognized on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll from the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Honor Roll identifies institutions that support exemplary service programs and raise the visibility of effective practices in campus community partnerships.
Learn more about the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
Provost’s Council for Engagement
CSU Provost’s Council for Engagement advances the practice and recognition of our integration of academic scholarship and community engagement. As a faculty-driven initiative, established in 2016, the Provost’s Council advances the scholarship of engagement, including engaged teaching, engaged research, and engagement with communities across Colorado and the world.
Member responsibilities
- Serve as campus ambassadors and college champions and identify, promote, and grow university/community engagement for the shared benefit of faculty, students, and communities.
- Advise university leadership on opportunities to better encourage, support, and reward engaged scholarship.
- Lead institutional and college-level initiatives for transformative and systemic impact.
Meet the Council
Convened by the Provost and Vice President for Engagement and Extension, the Council consists of a dozen faculty members representing all eight colleges and the Morgan Library, all nominated by their respective deans and supported by ex-officio champions from university leadership.
Faculty
Chris Blocker, Associate Professor
Department of Marketing, College of Business
Sonali Diddi, Associate Professor
Design & Merchandising Dept., College of Health & Human Sciences
Dana Gaines, Instructor & Academic Advisor
School of Social Work, College of Health & Human Sciences
Barbie Garnett, Park County Director
CSU Extension
Carrie Havrilla, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Forest & Rangeland Stewardship, Warner College of Natural Resources
Erik Johnson, Associate Professor
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Brian Kailey, Logan County Director
CSU Extension
Katie Knobloch, Associate Professor
Dept. of Communication Studies, College of Liberal Arts
Christianne Magee, Associate Professor
Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Rachelle Ramer, Assistant Professor & Librarian
Morgan Library | CSU Libraries
Russ Schumacher, Associate Professor
Dept. of Atmospheric Science | Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
Grants and awards
Colorado State University recognizes exemplary community engagement through its prestigious Community Engagement Scholarship Awards, celebrating partnerships that advance knowledge, address societal challenges, and create mutual benefit. Aligned with CSU’s land-grant mission and strategic plan, these awards provide funding to support impactful engagement initiatives. Explore the grants and awards page to learn more about these opportunities and how they advance CSU’s commitment to community engagement.