The University of Florida announced Monday that it has been awarded the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a national designation that recognizes colleges and universities committed to meaningful community partnerships.
The achievement highlights the university’s efforts to align its mission, leadership, resources and practices around community engagement at a time of significant change in higher education policy and funding.
Administered by the American Council on Education in partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement is the nation’s leading framework for assessing how institutions collaborate with communities to address public priorities.
“This Carnegie Classification reflects UF’s land grant ethos of deep and abiding commitment to serve the people of the State of Florida,” said UF Interim President Donald W. Landry.
UF engages in several community development programs across the state. The UF Cancer Institute partners with local organizations to bring mobile cancer screening services to underserved and rural areas in Florida. Programs like the UF Gulf Scholars send students into communities to address the state’s most complex and dynamic challenges. And UF/IFAS outreach specialists provide more than 750,000 consultations to farmers and other clients every year.
The Carnegie recognition reflects the university’s emphasis on experiential learning, student involvement beyond the classroom and collaboration with community partners to turn knowledge into action that delivers meaningful, shared impact.
Securing the recognition was a collaborative effort by many across campus, including Academic Affairs, Government and Community Relations, the Provost’s Office, Strategic Communications and Marketing and Student Life, as well as local community leadership.
“This designation represents a meaningful milestone for the University of Florida and underscores the consistency of our campuswide approach to community engagement,” said Heather White, UF’s vice president for student life. “By strengthening partnerships across Florida and aligning efforts throughout the institution, we are expanding opportunities for students to learn alongside communities, apply their knowledge in real settings, and contribute to outcomes that matter.”
As a Carnegie-classified institution, UF will receive a detailed report later this spring that will provide feedback and serve as a roadmap to help the university further deepen its community ties. The classification is valid through 2032 and is renewable.
