Community-Engaged Learning and Research Showcase

During Binghamton University’s spring Research Days, the institution put the spotlight on successful community-engaged learning and research projects taking place across campus during the Community-Engaged Learning and Research Showcase on April 26. The event was hosted by the Center for Civic Engagement and supported by Road Map Strategic Priority 4 (SP4) funding and the Carnegie Steering Committee as part of an effort to further advance a culture of community engagement at Binghamton University. The institution is currently preparing to apply for the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification.

The showcase brought together faculty, students, staff and community members to highlight current community-University collaborations and also served as a networking event to foster future partnerships. Event sessions included a community-engaged research and learning workshop, a keynote address on community-engaged scholarship from featured guest Laurie Van Egeren, assistant provost for university-community partnerships at Michigan State University, and a community-engaged research and learning poster session. Over 200 attendees gathered throughout the day to celebrate the community-engaged work accomplished at Binghamton this year.

In addition to her keynote and panel session, Van Egeren met with members of the SP4 and Carnegie steering committees, Binghamton University deans and associate deans, and the Community Engagement Council to share her institution’s community engagement policies and practices and share her experience and advice regarding the Carnegie application.

The Community Engagement Council, launched in fall 2022, is co-chaired by Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald Hall. The council provides coordinated senior administrative support for the University’s community engagement efforts, including the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. This spring, the council completed self-assessments on key sections of the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification application, answering questions on topics such as community engagement relationships and the impacts of community engagement on faculty, staff, students and the community. Council members also coordinated meetings and presentations to raise awareness of Collaboratory, the University’s new online database for documenting and showcasing community engagement and public service activities.

Also this spring, two working groups under the Carnegie Steering Committee — composed of faculty and staff from various divisions and academic departments — continued to meet to address the institution’s primary areas for growth in advance of the application. One working group is focused on community engagement relationships, while the second is focused on institutional assessment of community engagement.