MTSU has been recognized nationally for its community engagement efforts by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, being selected among 240 colleges and universities across the country to receive the 2015 Community Classification.
Colleges and universities that focus on community engagement were invited to apply for the classification, first offered in 2006 as part of a restructuring of The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. MTSU was first recognized for its community engagement efforts in 2008.
“MTSU prides itself in fostering relationships beyond our campus that allow our students, faculty and staff to participate in projects and educational initiatives that advance our academic mission,” MTSU Provost Brad Bartel said. “This classification by the Carnegie Foundation is motivation for the university to continue these efforts and expand them.”
For the latest classification, MTSU submitted examples and outcomes of more than a dozen projects in recent years that involved strong community engagement from a variety of academic disciplines.
In 2012, students and faculty in the College of Mass Communication’s Department of Electronic Media Communication were involved in filming, producing and directing the Capitol Street Party, a free public event that drew around 25,000 people to downtown Nashville. Students worked alongside Capitol Records executives and technicians to stage the show.
Also in 2012, the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences held its annual Field Day in which the university celebrated the 100th anniversary of agriculture at MTSU as well as the grand opening of the state-of-the-art MTSU Dairy in Lascassas. The event, which drew roughly 350 attendees from the community, involved partnerships with numerous organizations and businesses.
MTSU’s Division of Academic Affairs continues its partnership with Murfreesboro City Schools for the Club MARVEL program. The Saturday academy targets at-risk students and exposes them to a college campus. The academy includes tours of MTSU facilities and interaction with faculty.
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To contact news editor Meagan White, email newseditor@mtsusidelines.com
