The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) recently received a national honor recognizing its efforts to collaborate with academic institutions and the communities they serve.
UMES was named one of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s 2026 awardees of its Community Engagement (CE) Classification in January. The University is one of 239 institutions recognized for 2026 and one of 279 institutions overall holding the designation.
The CE Classification, which is awarded by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation, highlights an institution’s commitment to community engagement.
“Higher education is a vital economic engine for us all. Our colleges and universities not only fuel science and innovation, but they also build prosperity in rural, urban and suburban communities nationwide,” said Carnegie Foundation President Timothy F.C. Knowles. “We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors — fostering civic engagement, building usable knowledge, and catalyzing real-world learning experiences for students.”
In order to be eligible for the CE Classification, each institution must participate in a self-study assessment, according to the Carnegie Foundation. The classification has been the leading framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement for the past 19 years.
Roxana Walker-Canton, an associate professor in UMES’ Department of English, Languages, & Media Studies, and the chair of UMES’ Carnegie CE application committee, said that while the application process was a long and extensive one, the information they received showed the extent of UMES’ community impact.
“From the data we used in the application process, we were able to pinpoint various groups and University divisions that had substantial participation in community engagement,” she said. “Not only did a lot of their work take place in Princess Anne, but it also extended beyond the town and Somerset County.”
Walker-Canton said the committee, which included a combination of UMES faculty and staff members, allowed for increased collaboration and the ability to equally distribute duties across the group.
Each classification designation lasts six years, meaning UMES will reapply for the recognition again in 2032.
When looking at the application process in the future, Walker-Canton wants to ensure there is an increased emphasis on community engagement.
Added Walker-Canton: “I think the commitment to community engagement should be something we lean into, because as an HBCU, it should be our motivating focus to have whatever we do on campus go beyond campus. We want the students to leave here thinking what they learn here is for the betterment of community.”
