Carnegie Foundation Selects Boston’s Bunker Hill Community College for 2008 Community Engagement Classification
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Bunker Hill Community College was selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its 2008 Community Engagement Classification. The College was specifically recognized for its community engagement achievements in the category of “Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships.”
“We are very honored to have been chosen by the Carnegie Foundation for the community engagement classification,” said BHCC President Mary L. Fifield. “Recognizing the vital role that our Colleges play in the community is especially important, given the fiscal challenges being faced by higher education institutions in 2009.”
In the letter from the Carnegie Foundation announcing this award, Bunker Hill Community College was praised for documenting “excellent alignment among mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement…”
In its application, Bunker Hill Community College noted that “promoting civic engagement and leadership is one of six active college-wide goals.” Objectives under the goal include: supporting Service Learning courses, participating in community initiatives, partnering with neighbor organizations, and providing venues for involving the college community in current events and issues.
The College has also created a number of scholarships which stress community engagement. For example, one of the criteria for the BHCC President’s High School Scholarship is demonstrating active involvement in the community. Another scholarship, The BHCC Trustee Service Award, is traditionally received by a student who demonstrates outstanding community service and civic engagement, while maintaining high academic achievement.
BHCC was one of 110 U.S. colleges and universities selected for the 2008 Community Engagement Classification. BHCC was one of only nine community colleges to have been chosen for this honor.
Institutions of higher education with an institutional focus on community engagement were invited to apply for the classification, previously developed and offered in 2006 as part of an extensive restructuring of The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Media Contact:
About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is one of Massachusetts' largest community colleges, serving approximately 16,000 students annually. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC offers a broad range of educational opportunities throughout Greater Boston. BHCC fosters a welcoming and supportive learning environment for students by offering associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific programs.