Florida State University has once again received the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a prestigious designation awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching that recognizes institutional commitment to community engagement.
This is the third time FSU has earned the honor. FSU first received the Carnegie Community Engagement designation in 2010 and then again in 2020.
“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,” said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation.
FSU is among 237 U.S. colleges and universities that have earned the 2026 classification. The Carnegie Classifications are the nation’s leading framework for categorizing and describing colleges and universities in the United States. Utilized frequently by policymakers, funders and researchers, the classifications are a critical benchmarking tool for postsecondary institutions. 
“As a public Research I institution, Florida State University exists to serve the people of Florida and beyond, from our Tallahassee neighborhoods to communities across the nation and around the world,” said Jarrett Terry, assistant vice president and assistant provost for Academic Affairs. “Whether supporting local schools and economic development, contributing to state and national policy solutions, or collaborating on global health and sustainability initiatives, FSU’s community engagement reflects the scope and scale expected of a top-rated public university.”
The 2026 designation follows an intensive process of self-study and reflects the university’s community engagement efforts to ensure the work of faculty, staff and students is meaningful and furthers the work of community partners.
“The fact that we have been consistently successful with reclassification is an honor and testimony to FSU’s commitment to community engagement,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “It validates FSU’s efforts to fulfill our mission to unleash the potential of every student, enrich their experience through service, discovery and innovation, and be a supportive partner to the many communities we serve.”
“Whether supporting local schools and economic development, contributing to state and national policy solutions, or collaborating on global health and sustainability initiatives, FSU’s community engagement reflects the scope and scale expected of a top-rated public university.”
– Jarrett Terry, assistant vice president and assistant provost for Academic Affairs
FSU defines community engagement as the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources between the university and local, regional, national and global communities. The application highlighted the importance FSU places on ensuring that university-community partnerships foster dynamic relationships based on mutually beneficial and reciprocal goals and that initiatives center around community voices.
Joi Phillips, director of the Center for Leadership & Service (CLS), led the nine-month long, university-wide team effort to earn recertification. She noted that over the last several years, FSU has refined and deepened their commitment to the community.
The team highlighted several of FSU’s many partnerships, such as the Experience Recognition Program hosted by the Experiential Learning team within the Career Center, formative experience opportunities offered by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, service and community-based learning options housed out of CLS, and participatory research that is connected to every academic unit and initiative across the institution.
“For me, the focus is on appreciation and gratitude to the community for allowing us to share space with them,” Phillips said. “I don’t think we can express enough appreciation for their willingness to allow us to learn from them.”
FSU also provided data extracted from the ServScript Program, which has been the primary means to track student community engagement across the university since the system was implemented in the late 1990s. During the 2023-2024 academic year, more than 4,452 students documented 226,777 hours of service.
Here are some other noteworthy data shared:
- FSU students make a significant impact through community engagement and service in supporting the Tallahassee economy, contributing $7.5 million in volunteer hours.
- 427 faculty across 26 departments teach community-engaged designated courses accounting for 20.2% of FSU faculty teaching such courses.
- 14,697 undergraduate students (46% of the undergraduate student body) are enrolled in community engaged designated courses, an increase of 4,737 students since the last application cycle.
For more information about the Center for Leadership & Service and community engagement at FSU, visit community.fsu.edu.