WASHINGTON, DC - This week, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching named six AJCU institutions to its list of colleges and universities that have fostered significant relationships with their local and surrounding communities.

John Carroll University, Loyola University Maryland, Loyola University New Orleans, Rockhurst University, Saint Joseph's University and Seattle University are among the 115 U.S. institutions named to the list. They join eleven other Jesuit colleges and universities currently on the list, combining to 17 of 28 AJCU institutions earning the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Since 2006, the Carnegie Foundation has selected a total of 311 institutions across the country to the list.

To be selected, colleges and universities must submit documents that detail prominent examples of outreach programs within their communities. These examples are intended to demonstrate how each institution encourages social responsibility among its students and members of its administration. Examples of community engagement demonstrated by the selected AJCU institutions include:

• John Carroll University's Center for Service and Social Action; Arrupe Scholars for Social Action program; and the university's Poverty and Solidarity Initiative
• Loyola University Maryland’s Loyola is Listening Program, which provides opportunities for the local community to learn about new university projects, and Loyola’s Clinic Centers, which match graduate students with local clients to give them pro-bono counseling and educational services
• Loyola University New Orleans’ partnership with the North Rampart Community Center to help inner-city children in New Orleans, and the annual Wolves on the Prowl National Day of Service for alumni across the country
• Rockhurst University's occupational and physical therapy pro bono clinic through the Kansas City Free Health Clinic, and the Rockhurst University Neighborhood Committee, a public community forum
• Saint Joseph's University's Resident Assistant-coordinated service programs, and the Philadelphia Service Immersion Program, a four-day service program and orientation for new students to interact with the local Philadelphia community.
• Seattle University's mentoring program with local Washington Middle School in Seattle, WA; annual days devoted to environmental service throughout the city of Seattle; and fellowships offered to students interested in devoting extended periods of time to engaging in community service activities.

To learn more about the Carnegie Foundation 2010 Community Engagement Classification, please click here.