January 29, 2026
by Jere W. Morehead, President
Recently, the University of Georgia received the prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, recognizing the University’s wide-ranging service activities, partnerships, and statewide impact. This designation, awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, reflects UGA’s unwavering commitment to meaningful community engagement.
As the flagship institution for our state, the University has consistently played a foundational role in elevating communities—ranging from economic development initiatives to programs expanding access to health care. These efforts demonstrate UGA’s land-grant and sea-grant mission to address local needs through collaborative, community-centered programs. The Clarke Middle Health Center, for example, provides students in medicine, social work, and law with service-learning opportunities as they work to improve health outcomes for school district students, families and staff.
At the same time, the University’s impact extends well beyond Athens-Clarke County. In Hartwell, Georgia, UGA’s Archway Partnership, a unit of Public Service and Outreach, supports student learning while addressing real-world community issues that lead to long-term economic growth. Last November, the University was also recognized by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities with the Innovation and Economic Prosperity Award, further emphasizing our role in supporting community and economic development across Georgia and beyond.
These outstanding accomplishments are made possible by the continued dedication of UGA’s faculty, staff, students, and community partners. Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia sets the national standard for excellence, and their collective effort ensures that community engagement remains a central focus of our work each and every day.