Youngstown, Ohio – January 12, 2026 — In a significant development for higher education and community partnerships, Youngstown State University (YSU) has been officially awarded the Carnegie Foundation Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a highly respected national recognition that underscores its deep commitment to impactful collaboration with local and regional stakeholders.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a recognized authority in U.S. higher education classifications, reserves this distinction for institutions that demonstrate clear, data-driven integration of community engagement into their mission, academic programs, and institutional operations. YSU’s achievement places it among a select group of universities nationwide honored for meaningful, reciprocal partnerships that benefit students, faculty, and the broader community.
At a news conference held Monday, YSU President Bill Johnson highlighted the significance of this designation, emphasizing that community engagement is not merely an add-on but a core part of the university’s identity and educational philosophy. “This recognition affirms what our community has long known—YSU is deeply invested in partnerships that strengthen both student learning and community impact,” President Johnson said.
The Carnegie classification reflects YSU’s extensive efforts to embed engagement into its academic culture. These efforts include Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) courses that connect classroom instruction with real-world problem solving, collaborative projects with non-profits and local businesses, and sustained participation in community initiatives designed to address pressing regional challenges. More than 60 CEL courses across multiple disciplines have already earned this designation.
The award also highlights the university’s PenguinPulse platform, which tracks engagement activity between students and community partners. Since 2023, PenguinPulse has documented over 230,000 verified engagement hours, representing millions of dollars in estimated economic and social value for the Mahoning Valley region and beyond.
Education analysts say this milestone will enhance YSU’s appeal to prospective students seeking experiential learning opportunities that extend beyond traditional academic boundaries. Local leaders welcomed the news, noting that such recognition strengthens the socio-economic ties between the university and its host community.
The Carnegie community engagement classification is valid through 2032, setting the stage for YSU to build on this success and expand its regional and national partnerships in the years ahead.
