What is community engagement?

Community engagement describes collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.

The purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching, and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.

Programs & Initiatives

Signature Partnership Initiative

Gheens Mini Grant Program

Annual Engaged Scholarship Symposium

Cards Come Together

Community-Based Learning Institute

Community Partner Showcase

Student Philanthropy Program

Community Service Leave

Faculty Handbook on Community-Engaged Scholarship

Community Engagement Awards

TRIO Upward Bound

TRIO Talent Search

Anchor Mission Initiative

Community Partner Survey

Search Activities

Resources for students

A mission of engaged service and outreach

Community partnership and engaged service are core elements of the University of Louisville's mission. Whether it is working with students in local public schools, helping to provide services in underserved neighborhoods, or building stronger communities internationally, UofL is committed to collaborating with partners to improve quality of life in places both near and far. UofL Community Engagement activities break down into the following categories:

Partnership

Ongoing collaboration with community partners for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity. Click here for a list of recent major partnerships.

Outreach

Providing direct services, time, or resources to benefit a community or its institutions. This includes instances of public intellectualism such as talks, lectures, presentations, performances, etc. Learn more about the Office of Community Engagement’s annual outreach event Cards Come Together.

Curricular Engagement

Student involvement with external partners via coursework (community-based learning courses). Click here to see a list of community-based learning courses.

Engaged Scholarship

Faculty scholarly work done in full partnership with the community. It consists of research, teaching, and the application of scholarship for the mutual benefit of the institution and community partner. Click here for UofL’s Faculty Handbook on Community-Engaged Scholarship.