Age-Friendly University Global Network

The University of Connecticut has been accepted into the Age-Friendly University Global Network—an international consortium of institutions that advances policies and practices fostering healthy aging, intergenerational learning, and lifelong engagement.

UConn is now among the more than 120 universities worldwide that are reimagining the role of higher education in an aging society.

Association of Public Land Grant Universities (APLU)

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a membership organization dedicated to advancing the mission of public research universities. With nearly 250 member institutions, including public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, APLU fosters a collaborative community of university leaders. Spanning all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories, Canada, and Mexico, APLU works to strengthen public higher education, promote innovation, and address societal challenges through research, education, and community engagement.

Campus Compact

Campus Compact is a national organization dedicated to providing resources for senior leaders, faculty, staff, and students as they build the knowledge, skills, and capacity needed for effective community and civic engagement. The University of Connecticut is a member of Campus Compact, and as a result, you can register with your UConn email address to access their resources.

Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education

The Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification for Community Engagement recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an institutional commitment to community engagement. Unlike awards, this classification is an evidence-based documentation of how community engagement is embedded in institutional policies, practices, and culture. Institutions apply through a rigorous process every two years, showcasing their dedication to community partnerships, curricular and co-curricular programming, continuous improvement, and the engagement of faculty, staff, and students. UConn received the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement in 2024, affirming its commitment to fostering meaningful, reciprocal partnerships that address societal needs.

Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC)

The Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting collaborative partnerships between higher education institutions and their surrounding communities. Comprising member institutions from public and private sectors, ESC fosters university-community partnerships rooted in scholarly excellence. The consortium’s mission is to enhance community capacity through engaged scholarship, addressing societal challenges, and creating sustainable, mutually beneficial outcomes.

TRUCEN Engaged Scholarship

The Research University Civic Engagement Network (TRUCEN), established in 2008, brings together R1 research universities committed to advancing civic engagement and engaged scholarship. TRUCEN is an affinity network within Campus Compact, leveraging the expertise, resources, and innovation of top research institutions to address society’s most pressing challenges, thereby fostering partnerships that create lasting social impact.

International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement

IARSLCE is the only international organization whose expressed primary purpose is to cultivate, encourage, and present research across all engagement forms and educational levels. The Association promotes high-quality trans-disciplinary research across a wide range of approaches and forms. It builds the capacity of scholars, practitioners, and community partners to engage in such research.

• Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship
• Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement 
• Action Research
• American Journal of Community Psychology
• The American Sociologist
• Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning
• Community Development Journal
• Education, Citizenship, and Social Justice
• Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement
• International Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
• Journal on Excellence in College Teaching
• Journal of Extension
• Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning
• Science Education and Civic Engagement: An International Journal 
• International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement

Community Tool Box

The Community Tool Box is a public service provided by the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas. The Community Tool Box offers free tools and educational modules on community assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, advocacy, and other aspects of community practice.

CT Data

CT Data’s mission is to connect people and data, promoting informed decision-making and advancing equity in Connecticut. CT Data provides raw data in Connecticut as well as other resources to help develop data skills.

Advancing Research Impact Society (ARIS) Broader Impacts ToolKit

The National Science Foundation (NFS) not only evaluates the intellectual merit of proposals but also assesses their broader impacts (BI), i.e., how well the proposed activities benefit society or contribute to positive societal outcomes. NSF grant proposals must include a statement outlining the potential societal impact and benefits of the research project. The ARIS Broader Impacts Toolkit can be used to support you in completing an NSF proposal.

Health in Partnership

This organization aims to transform public health by centering equity and building collective power with social justice movements. Their vision is a world where communities share power and resources, ensuring that everyone can live healthy, dignified lives.

Community engagement (also referred to as civic engagement) “describes collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity. The purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching, and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.”[1]

[1] Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. (2025). The Elective Classification for Community Engagement. Retrieved June 10, 2025, from https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/elective-classifications/community-engagement/

“In this context, community is broadly defined to include audiences external to the campus that are part of a collaborative process and that contribute to the public good.”[2]

[2] Sandmann, L. R. (2003). When Doing Good Is Not Good Enough! Good to Great: The Scholarship of Engagement. Online Submission.

Reciprocity is the recognition, respect, and valuing of the knowledge, perspective, and resources that each partner contributes to the collaboration.[3]

[3] Saltmarsh, J., Hartley, M., & Clayton, P. (2009). Democratic engagement white paper.

Integrates community partners as co-creators of new knowledge or novel ways to interpret and apply information and/or co-educators; and/or (b) is intentionally conducted to address or positively impact societal issues.[4] 

[4] UConn PTR

Refers to the significant and positive changes that research can bring about in society, not including reiterative contribution to an academic discipline, and is assessed in terms of the social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits that contribute to the capital of a community.[5]

[5] Bornmann, L. (2013). What is societal impact of research and how can it be assessed? A literature survey. Journal of the American Society for information science and technology, 64(2), 217-233.

“is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities” (Seifer & Connors, 2007, p.5).[6]

[6] Seifer, S. D., & Connors, K. (2007). Faculty Toolkit for Service-Learning in Higher Education. National Service Learning Clearinghouse.

It is a form of scholarship in which community partners participate in theory building, problem formulation, research design, and/or data analysis and interpretation.[7] Another form of community-engaged research is the creation, interpretation, or application of knowledge to address societal issues. Both forms of community-engaged research must apply the principles of community engagement—mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity. As with other forms of scholarship, community-engaged research is rigorous and systematic. Therefore, it must have clear goals, adequate preparation, appropriate methods, significant results, effective presentation of results, and reflective critique.

[7] Van de Ven, A. 2007. Engaged Scholarship: A Guide for Organizational and Social Research. Oxford University Press. United Kingdom.

Teaching that enriches student experiences through the development of reciprocal, sustainable community partnerships, which leverages university and community resources, impacts students, and strengthens the university and the community. Community-engaged teaching as scholarly work is characterized by its interconnection with the advancement of knowledge in academia and the community, continuous improvement and reflection of learning methods, and integration of research and practice.[8]

[8] UConn PTR

Refers to professionally-related public and community service activities that promote the public good through provision of expertise and resources by way of the application of science-based information through technical assistance, consulting, or clinical service.[9]

[9] UConn PTR