Resources

Resources

Community Engagement Affiliations, Journals, and Other Resources


Our office has curated a list of valuable resources to help you get involved, stay informed, and make a meaningful impact. Explore the links below to find UConn affiliations, journals, and tools that support meaningful engagement within and beyond the university.

Below is an overview of key terminology related to community engagement.  

Community Engagement

Community 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.” (Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Taching 2025)

Community

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. 

Reciprocity

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

Community-Engaged Scholarship

Community-Engaged Scholarship (a) 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.   

Societal Impact

Societal impact 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 

Community-Engaged Research and Creative Work 

Community-engaged research and creative work (also known as just community-engaged research) is a form of scholarship in which community partners participate in theory building, problem formulation, research design, and/or data analysis and interpretation. 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. 

Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning

Community-engaged teaching and learning is teaching that enriches student experiences through the development of reciprocal, sustainable community partnerships, which leverage university and community resources, impact students, and strengthen the university and the community. 

Also known as service-learning, community-engaged teaching connects coursework and outside-of-classroom experiences to community-identified concerns, thereby deepening students’ civic and academic learning and enhancing community well-being. 

Community-engaged teaching as scholarly work is characterized by its interconnection with advancing knowledge in academia and the community, by continuous improvement and reflection on learning methods, and by the integration of research and practice. 

Terms and Definitions UConn

The Community Engaged Scholars Program is a year-long opportunity for faculty interested in creating or strengthening a service-learning course. Fellows receive dedicated training, connect with a community of peers, and design meaningful projects that evaluate student learning and deepen community impact. 

Participants in the program will:  

  • Demonstrate knowledge of service-learning and experiential learning theory to inform course design and community-based teaching and learning. 
  • Apply best practices in community engagement to create impactful, reciprocal, and sustainable community partnerships. 
  • Collaborate effectively with community-based organizations, students, and the university stakeholders to strengthen democracy. 
  • Administer an interdisciplinary service-learning project that integrates knowledge from multiple academic disciplines to address complex community issues. 

Please contact the Service Learning Faculty Coordinator, Anne Gebelein, at anne.gebelein@uconn.edu for more information. 

Explore adaptable, self-guided resources for faculty, staff, students, and community partners to help build, sustain, and showcase the impact of equitable, mutually beneficial campus–community partnerships, including templates, guidance, and practical tools that can be tailored to community-engaged research, service-learning courses, and special projects. 

The Office of Outreach and Engagement also offers consultations to support community-engaged scholarship. Email engagement@uconn.edu to schedule a consultation. 

Developing and Sustaining Partnerships 

Evaluation  

Connecticut Nonprofit Asset Mapping Tool 

The Connecticut Nonprofit Asset Mapping Tool is an interactive digital resource that highlights where and how nonprofit organizations are serving communities across the state. Developed by the UConn School of Public Policy with support from the Education Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly, the tool is designed to strengthen collaboration, foster strategic partnerships, and inform data-driven decisions that advance the public good. 

https://publicpolicy.uconn.edu/connecticut-nonprofit-asset-mapping-tool/ 

Below is a guide for faculty and staff seeking options for community partner compensation. There is also a document on lessons learned in navigating community partner compensation at UConn, developed by Mary Buchananan, CITCA Community Resilience Planner. 

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.

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.