UTA Earns Carnegie Recognition for Community Engagement

The University of Texas at Arlington has earned the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a national designation recognizing how community engaged teaching, research and service are embedded across the institution’s everyday work.

Awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the designation places UTA among 277 institutions nationwide. The Carnegie Foundation highlighted UTA’s strong alignment of mission, leadership, resources and practices, noting its dynamic approach to community engagement during a period of significant federal policy and funding change. The classification evaluates how intentionally and consistently engagement is integrated across an institution rather than recognizing individual programs.

Community engagement is a core element of UTA’s strategic plan and public mission. Across the university, faculty design courses that connect learning to real community needs, students apply classroom knowledge through service and research partnerships, and staff build long term, reciprocal relationships with local and regional organizations. These efforts span Arlington, North Texas and beyond.

Students play a central role in UTA’s engagement efforts, supported by staff and campus centers that collaborate closely with community partners. Through volunteer fairs, Super Service Saturday and student organized service projects, students contribute time, leadership and skills while developing sustained relationships with nonprofit organizations.

One long standing partnership is with Mission Arlington, a nonprofit located near campus that provides food, clothing, health care and other essential services. UTA students, faculty and staff support Mission Arlington through volunteerism and service learning, building ongoing relationships that benefit both the campus and the broader community.

UTA also strengthens community capacity through academic partnerships. Faculty led service learning projects with the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation helped students catalog local nonprofits, assess organizational capacity and share findings directly with nonprofit leaders to support informed decision making.

Community engagement at UTA extends to innovation and economic development. In 2024, UTA and the City of Arlington received the Tech InnovaCity Seoul Smart City Prize for Institutions for their collaboration on RAPID, an on demand autonomous shuttle service that integrates self driving vehicles into public transit. The project brings together university researchers, city leaders and transportation partners to explore how emerging technologies can improve mobility and public services.

Faculty and students across disciplines address community needs related to health care, housing and education. The Center for Rural Health and Nursing works with underserved rural communities to improve access to health professionals, while the College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs has partnered with local organizations to help build homes for low income older adults in east Arlington.

Service learning remains central to UTA’s approach. Through the Center for Service Learning, faculty receive training to integrate community based projects into coursework, pairing academic objectives with reciprocal partnerships and structured reflection that prepare students for professional and civic life.

Advisory groups that include alumni, civic leaders and industry partners ensure community voices inform university planning. Forums, surveys and focus groups further support inclusive decision making across campus.

Looking ahead, UTA continues to expand its community footprint through initiatives such as UTA West, a new campus designed to meet the educational and workforce needs of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, guided by ongoing community input.

The Carnegie Classification reflects a comprehensive, institution wide commitment to engagement that connects teaching, research and service. For UTA, the designation recognizes the daily work of faculty, staff and students who partner with communities, translate knowledge into action and support initiatives that create lasting public benefit.

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UTA Earns Carnegie Recognition for Community Engagement