The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has received national recognition for its community engagement, earning the prestigious Carnegie Foundation classification for the first time. The designation, which is valid until 2032, highlights the university’s commitment to working with partners on projects that benefit both students and the wider community.
“It is a great honor to be recognized for exceptional community engagement by the Carnegie Foundation,” said Interim Chancellor Michael Carney. “Having a positive impact on the region we serve, through partnerships, internships and collaborative projects has been a core part of the Blugold experience for decades. It is gratifying to receive this honor and to know that others are recognizing the work we do to benefit our community.”
Timothy Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation, commented on the importance of higher education institutions in supporting local communities. “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,” Knowles said. “We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors.”
Dr. Louisa Rice, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at UW-Eau Claire, led the application process for the classification. “Receiving this classification affirms our commitment to the public good,” Rice said. “It confirms what we already know to be true, then puts a stamp on it for external stakeholders to see.”
The application process began in spring 2024 and involved a committee of faculty, staff, students and community members who met regularly over nine months. Significant contributions came from Dr. Kris Knutson; Dr. Leah Olson-McBride; Jasmine Case; and Katy Rand.
Rice explained that community engagement at UW-Eau Claire is integrated throughout campus life and academics: “Rice says a key task was explaining how community engagement is integral across campus — it is embedded in the curriculum and co-curriculum where it is showcased through research projects, civic learning and community-engaged learning.”
The university maintains partnerships at multiple levels within Eau Claire—including as a founding partner of Pablo Center at the Confluence—and with organizations such as Eau Claire Farmer’s Market, The Community Table and Eau Claire Marathon. At its Barron County location, UW-Eau Claire collaborates with local associations on initiatives promoting campus belonging.
Regionally, UW-Eau Claire continues its decade-long agreement with Mayo Clinic Health System focused on healthcare research excellence—a partnership also highlighted by shared facilities like their Science and Health Sciences Building (https://www.uwec.edu/). These collaborations contribute to public welfare through joint research efforts (https://www.uwec.edu/).
Students also participate in international service-learning experiences in places like Guatemala.
Reflecting on preparing examples for submission to Carnegie Foundation reviewers, Rice noted: “This process has revealed how much we give to our communities and also how much we gain from these reciprocal relationships; mutually beneficial research and experiential learning that is valuable for us all,” Rice said. “I think we’ve got even more we can build on from here.”
UW-Eau Claire operates as a public comprehensive university along the Chippewa River in Eau Claire (https://limpar.locallabs.com/organizations/88cc48e0-c001-4fde-a110-95b55f253eca), focusing on critical-thinking development (https://www.uwec.edu/) and career-oriented experiences designed to foster influence within communities (https://www.uwec.edu/). The institution offers practical research collaborations (https://www.uwec.edu/) and distinctive programs in arts and sciences while earning national praise for educational quality (https://www.uwec.edu/) as well as cost-effectiveness (https://limpar.locallabs.com/organizations/88cc48e0-c001-4fde-a110-95b55f253eca) and environmental initiatives (https://limpar.locallabs.com/organizations/88cc48e0-c001-4fde-a110-95b55f253eca).
A full list of institutions holding this endorsement can be found online.
