Montclair Earns Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

Montclair State University has received the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement (CE) Classification, a designation awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

The classification honors an institution’s commitment to community engagement – which is defined as collaboration and partnership between schools and the larger communities they serve.

Montclair is one of 230 institutions to be awarded the classification, bringing the total to 277 institutions nationwide that have the designation.

“At Montclair State University, we’re achieving clear, mission-driven goals and demonstrating that universities can pursue a complex set of socially critical objectives without compromise. We are pleased to be recognized again for our commitment to community engagement. This recognition is all the more meaningful, having recently been among the first institutions designated with the Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose,” says President Jonathan Koppell. “This makes us one of four federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Carnegie-classified research institutions to hold both the engagement and public-purpose imprimaturs. I am so proud of the work done by Montclair staff and faculty to demonstrate what it truly means to be a public-serving university.”

Community Engagement Opportunities at Montclair State University

Established by Koppell in 2023, Montclair’s Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships oversees the University’s various community engagement initiatives, including its Community Action Nexus, public services programs and community-engaged teaching and research opportunities.

From Paterson One Square Mile to The Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium and countless other initiatives, Montclair is serving the public good throughout New Jersey while creating opportunities for every member of the University to engage with community partners and help to solve their most pressing challenges.

“The Carnegie elective classification acts as the outward representation of the significant community engagement we know is happening here at Montclair,” says Director of Public Service Programs Krystal Woolston. “Putting together the application, I was so inspired by all of the projects, programs, and initiatives that are happening across both campuses that truly exemplify what it means to live out the public purposes of education serving in and with our local communities.”

How You Can Get Involved

In keeping with Montclair’s mission and in addition to hands-on learning and public service opportunities, all students can take advantage of community engagement programs including:

• The Bonner Leader Program, which challenges and supports students to take their passion for service and continue to provide service throughout college
• NextGen Service Corps, which offers students an opportunity to learn about complex challenges from different perspectives while preparing them for public service careers
• Community-Engaged Learning, which links academic study to real-world experiences in community settings
• An undergraduate minor in Leadership Development Through Civic Engagement, which is designed to train students in any major how to engage and lead others in their chosen field by actively participating in their community to facilitate their development as leaders.

Faculty can also engage in Montclair’s Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning (CETL) Fellows program, which is a two-year professional development program for faculty interested in attaining a deeper knowledge of community-engaged teaching, learning and research.

“Being recognized as a Carnegie Community-Engaged campus reflects the depth of our partnerships and our shared commitment to advancing opportunity and the public good,” says Montclair Associate Vice President for Community Partnerships Bryan Murdock. “This designation affirms the collaborative work of our students, faculty, and community partners to create meaningful, lasting impact.”

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

Prospective students: Learn how our students get involved through the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships.

Journalists: Contact the Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview.