Missouri State University was recognized as earning the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.  

The organization noted Missouri State’s application documented “excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement.”   

“This recognition affirms what we know to be true about Missouri State – community engagement isn’t an add-on here. It’s central to who we are,” said Missouri State President Richard B. Williams. “Earning this classification is a meaningful accomplishment that reflects our public affairs mission in action. It strengthens our university, deepens our partnerships and aligns directly with our strategic plan.”  

Missouri State is one of 277 institutions recognized nationwide by the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement in 2026.  

Public affairs mission in action 

The Carnegie Foundation noted Missouri State, “provided exemplary institutionalized practices of community engagement.” 

The university’s public affairs mission embeds community engagement as a defining institutional purpose that shapes campus culture, leadership priorities, curriculum and operational practices universitywide. 

“What stood out as we prepared the application was the depth and consistency of the work happening across campus,” said Dr. Kathy Nordyke, director of citizenship and service learning. “We were able to draw from concrete courses, long-standing partnerships, and measurable student and community outcomes that show how community engagement is built into everyday practice at Missouri State inside and outside the classroom.” 

Examples outlined in the application include: 

• Each year, more than 2,500 first-year students complete required service-learning projects that address identified community needs as part of the university’s general education curriculum. 

• Health care students conduct free vision screenings across southwest and central Missouri, providing more than 10,000 screenings annually in rural and high-poverty communities through coordinated academic programs.  

• Missouri State convenes faculty, students and community members through its annual Public Affairs Conference, advancing dialogue and action around ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement featuring national and international speakers. 

• The university supports regional economic growth through public-private partnerships, including the Jordan Valley Innovation Center and the efactory, which foster entrepreneurship, workforce development and applied research. 

About the classification 

The Carnegie Classification is a framework for classifying colleges and universities in the United States created by the Carnegie Foundation and managed by the American Council on Education.   

According to the Carnegie Foundation, the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement is especially noteworthy amid significant federal policy and funding shifts shaping the future of higher education. Applications in this cycle demonstrated how campuses nationwide are deepening partnerships, leveraging community assets and addressing urgent societal challenges.  

Missouri State was first granted this classification in 2010 and has completed several recertifications. The current recertification runs through 2032.