USI is a Carnegie Foundation "Engaged University"
The University of Southern Indiana is one of 119 public and private
colleges and universities nationwide to receive classification from the
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an institution of
community engagement. USI was recognized in both categories: “curricular
engagement” and “outreach and partnerships.” One hundred and forty-seven
institutions applied for the classification. USI, Purdue University,
Indiana State University, and Indiana University Purdue University
Indianapolis are the Indiana institutions that hold the national
distinction.
Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett, provost and vice president for Academic
Affairs at USI, said, “This is national recognition of the outstanding
work of USI faculty, staff, and students in connecting the learning
environment on campus with southwestern Indiana. It affirms that USI
takes seriously its mission to support education, social, and economic
growth, and civic and cultural awareness in southwestern Indiana.”
Service to the region and the state is an important component of USI’s
mission. The University’s outreach programs include the Center for
Applied Research, which mobilizes the resources of the University to
help regional businesses and organizations thrive; Connect with Southern
Indiana, a citizenship-building program open to Indiana residents from
nine counties; heritage tourism through Historic Southern Indiana and
Historic New Harmony; the Southern Indiana Japanese School, a Saturday
program for children of Japanese employees of area corporations; an
annual summer season of plays at the New Harmony Theatre; the annual
RopeWalk Writers Retreat; and the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary
Art. USI is the education partner for Innovation Pointe, Evansville’s
certified technology park headquarters, and offers classes there.
USI President H. Ray Hoops has twice established a President’s
Task Force on Workforce and Economic Development to examine the
University’s leadership and responsiveness in regional economic
development. The 2007 Presidential Task Force found that USI has made
measurable progress in implementing the recommendations of its first
Task Force in 2000. Recommendations included continuing development of
co-op and internship opportunities; increasing noncredit and workforce
training offerings; developing Connect with Southern Indiana, a regional
leadership program; and offering alternate delivery of programs through
distance education. Of the 13 suggested academic programs in the 2000
report, only one has yet to be implemented.
USI links outreach to curriculum through its Service Learning program.
Recent examples include an evaluation of Habitat of Humanity of
Evansville performed by faculty and students from the departments of
Social Work, Physical Education, Sociology, and Economics; a business
plan for the Old Courthouse completed by students in a Legal and Social
Environment of Business course; and a Seminar in Advertising
student-designed campaign for SparK12, a new organization created to
increase retention among high school students. In Individual Taxation
Practicum, students serve the community by preparing federal and state
individual tax returns.
Faculty members offer scholarship as community outreach. Dr. Glenna
Bower '95, assistant professor of education, led a team in developing an
after-school intervention program and DVD addressing childhood obesity.
Economics professors Dr. Sudesh Mujumdar and Dr. Timothy
Schibik prepared the I-69 Community Development Study to help guide
planning efforts for Oakland City, Petersburg, and Washington, Indiana,
to address the consequences of the new interstate. Through USI’s Office
of Institutional Research, a research team, led by Dr. Katherine
Draughon, produced a report for the Department of Parks and
Recreation to elicit opinions from residents regarding city-operated
parks and recreation facilities.
Bennett said the classification will help the University continue to
serve the region. “The importance of this recognition will be evident as
the University seeks grant funding, recruits new faculty and staff, and
continues to build on its strong reputation for accountability in public
higher education,” she said.
