Northeastern recognized with 2026 Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement
Northeastern University has earned the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a national designation that recognizes the depth, quality, and impact of the university’s partnerships with local communities. Fewer than 10 percent of eligible colleges and universities nationwide hold this distinction.
The classification, awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, highlights Northeastern’s long-standing commitment to being an engaged and responsible neighbor. Northeastern first received the designation in 2015 and successfully reapplied to maintain it in 2026.
Across Boston, the university works closely with nonprofit organizations, K–12 schools, city agencies, and local businesses, with a particular focus on long-term partnerships in Fenway, Roxbury, Mission Hill, and the South End. These collaborations span teaching, research, service, and experiential learning, giving students meaningful opportunities to apply their education while supporting community-identified needs.
The scale of this engagement is significant. In fiscal year 2023, Northeastern invested more than $40 million in community initiatives, including scholarships for Boston-based youth and AmeriCorps programs. In fiscal year 2024, the university spent more than $335 million on procurement from small and local businesses, including women- and minority-owned firms. Community members also make extensive use of university spaces, with thousands participating in programs at Northeastern Crossing each year.
Faculty, staff, and students play a central role in this work through community-engaged courses, student-run organizations, volunteer efforts, and applied research. Programs such as Foundation Year, Bridge to Calculus, and the NU Summer STEM Program extend educational pathways for Boston-area students, while recent investments like the housing stabilization fund and pedestrian bridge connecting Fenway and Roxbury reflect long-term commitments to neighborhood well-being.
As Northeastern continues to expand its global campus network, this approach to community engagement is being embraced beyond Boston, reinforcing a shared value across the university: meaningful learning and impact are strongest when they are rooted in partnership.
Read the full Northeastern News story:
https://news.northeastern.edu/2026/01/13/faculty-staff/carnegie-classification-community-engagement-2026/
