NIU's Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation
In January 2026, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has once again designated Northern Illinois University an “Engaged Institution,” a classification bestowed on only 277 universities in the U.S. This classification recognizes universities that excel at collaborating with the larger community “for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.” These collaborations benefit NIU students while also advancing our public mission.
The re-classification reinforces NIU as a regional and national leader in community-engaged practice and scholarship, and it supports the momentum to continue centering engagement and driving impact on NIU’s campus.
The 2026 reclassification process required a rigorous self-study, which took a year to complete and resulted in a 100-plus-page report detailing how NIU supports community-engaged teaching, research and artistry across all colleges and divisions. Request a copy of the self-study.
Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development's (OERD) Role in Community Engagement and Engaged Learning
OERD provides leadership, partnership and support for numerous outreach activities of the seven colleges and collaborates with university units to deliver non-credit programs and regional development activities.
OERD’s programming helps to fulfill the university’s core values of innovation, social mobility and transformation of the wider world. NIU’s unique location at the intersection of Chicagoland and the rural Midwest allows us to make an impact both globally and locally, improving educational attainment, workforce development, equitable economic development and quality of life throughout the region.
