Key Takeaways
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The University of Houston earns top national recognition for community engagement: UH earned the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, placing it among an elite group of institutions nationwide recognized for integrating community partnerships into teaching, research and service.
- Designation reflects years of intentional, documented impact: UH’s recognition followed a rigorous application and review process that required extensive evidence of how the University’s mission, leadership, culture and resources support sustained, reciprocal partnerships with the community.
- Strengthens UH’s standing as Houston’s premiere research university: The CE Classification reinforces UH’s role as a leading public research institution that not only produces knowledge and talent but also works alongside partners to address real-world challenges and improve lives across Greater Houston.
The University of Houston has earned the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a prestigious national designation recognizing institutions that demonstrate deep, sustained commitment to partnering with their communities to create positive impact through teaching, research and service.
The designation places UH among a select group of colleges and universities nationwide — and one of only 10 in Texas — recognized for thoughtfully and successfully integrating community engagement into the core of the University’s mission.
“This recognition means a great deal to the University of Houston because it reflects who we are, and how we prepare educated, engaged citizens, while showing up for our community every day.”
—Diane Z. Chase, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost
“The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification affirms that the collaborative work of our faculty, staff and students — delivered through rigorous, high-impact degree programs — is deeply connected to the people and partners we serve,” said Diane Z. Chase, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
The CE Classification is awarded following a rigorous application and review process that requires extensive documentation and assessment of how an institution’s mission, culture, leadership and resources support meaningful, reciprocal engagement with community partners. For UH, the process highlighted the breadth of its work while also prompting intentional reflection on how the University measures, sustains and strengthens those partnerships over time.
“Earning the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is a recognition that reflects years of intentional partnerships, collaborations and shared efforts with our community,” said Jason Smith, vice president for government and community relations at UH. “This designation underscores the deep commitment of our faculty, staff and students to work alongside community partners to address real-world challenges and improve lives.”
The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has served as the national benchmark for community engagement in U.S. higher education for over 20 years.
In the 2026 cycle, 237 institutions — 157 public and 80 private — earned the classification, including 48 that were recognized for the first time. They join 40 other institutions classified in 2024 for a total of 277 that currently hold the designation.
“Higher education is a vital economic engine for us all. Our colleges and universities not only fuel science and innovation, they build prosperity in rural, urban and suburban communities nationwide,” said Timothy Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. “We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors — fostering civic engagement, building useable knowledge, and catalyzing real world learning experiences for students.”
UH’s recognition reinforces its role as a leading public research university and anchor institution for Greater Houston, advancing education, discovery and service through sustained collaboration with the communities it serves.