We are proud to celebrate the news that all three University of Washington campuses — Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma — have once again been recognized by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching with the Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement reclassification. This distinction reaffirms our University’s place among a select group of our peers and reflects our deep, sustained partnerships with the communities we serve. It also speaks to the foundational principles that guide our work as a public university: that effective teaching, discovery and public service grow from collaboration with the communities that are impacted, and that addressing real-world challenges in partnership is what creates meaningful progress.
This reclassification reflects decades of commitment by UW faculty, students and staff, which has only accelerated in the five years since we first achieved this distinction. Across our state, nation and world, the UW partners with hundreds of organizations — including tribal nations, schools, nonprofits, governments and private industry — to advance educational opportunity, strengthen communities and contribute to regional and statewide vitality. Our collective efforts, supported by shared investments and infrastructure, emphasize trust, relationships, community-informed scholarship and career-connected learning that prepares students to lead with purpose.
We are deeply grateful to our community partners for their trust, expertise and collaboration and to everyone at the UW who contributed to earning this public acknowledgment. We also extend our sincere thanks to the many faculty and staff whose dedication and hard work made the reclassification application possible. As we look ahead, we remain committed to deepening relationships, centering community engagement and working together to create lasting, positive change — in Washington communities and beyond.
Robert J. Jones, President
Kristin G. Esterberg, Chancellor, UW Bothell
Sheila Edwards Lange,Chancellor, UW Tacoma