The University of South Carolina has earned 2026 Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an honor recognizing an institution’s commitment to community engagement.
USC is one of less than 100 public institutions nationwide to have a Carnegie Classification for both Community Engagement and as an R1 research institution. The classification for community engagement will be valid through 2032.
“This Carnegie redesignation recognizes the University of South Carolina’s deep commitment to serving as a true anchor institution for our state,” says Julian Williams, vice president for system affairs and community engagement. “Our faculty, staff and students work in meaningful partnership with citizens across South Carolina to expand educational access, support economic development, improve health outcomes and strengthen civic life.”
As part of its application materials, USC cited several ways it’s a mainstay in the Columbia community with over 20,000 USC undergraduate students participating in at least one experiential learning or leadership distinction course during the 2023-24 academic year.
USC has over 470 courses designated as service learning or community engaged courses with almost 36 percent of faculty teaching at least one course with designations specific to community engagement and/or service learning.
Almost one in four courses at USC provide purposeful engagement beyond the classroom for students to apply course concepts to real world settings.
“This application process was both a marathon and a mirror,” says Shannon Means, vice provost for academic administration. “It showed us who we are, what we value, and just how far we’ve come. The reclassification is the finish line medal that I hope makes all of us proud. We’re excited about where we are and eager to continue positively impacting our surrounding communities.”
USC has a variety of key community relationships that include hosting Service Saturdays throughout the year where students go into the community and volunteer with various community partners.
Cocky’s Reading Express is a literary outreach initiative traveling to Title I schools in the state to read to children and provide book giveaways while USC’s colleges of social work, nursing and pharmacy partnered to combat health worker burnout through online training sessions.
Other key community initiatives include USC’s rural health initiatives like the Brain Health Network, social service programs like the CommUnity Shop and partnerships with Habitat for Humanity.
USC also serves as a polling place during elections and saw over 12,000 Richland County voters cast their ballots on campus during the 2024 elections. Thanks in part to voting workshops, USC helped almost 1,000 students register to vote in the three months leading up to the 2024 elections.
The university recently rejoined the Campus Compact network, the largest and oldest coalition of higher education institutions dedicated to civic and community engagement.
“This honor validates the transformative work happening on our campus and in communities statewide,” Williams says, “reflecting our dedication to ensuring the knowledge and resources of our flagship university directly benefit the people of South Carolina.”