UTRGV has received the Carnegie Elective Community Engagement Classification for their participation in the wider RGV community in the 2017-2018 school year. UTRGV’s commitment to Service-Learning as well as its efforts to foster professional relationships between students and the larger RGV community were the key in the university receiving this designation.
Assistant Vice President for Community Engagement & Assessment in the Division of Governmental and Community Relations, Christian Corrales says there are more than ten thousand students participating throughout various ways their community.
The University has identified that there is more than ten thousand students contributing to close to fifty thousand service hours…
The Carnegie Classification considers Community Engagement as the participation between the higher education institutions and larger communities for the mutual exchange of knowledge and resources.
Music Education Sophomore, Roberto Perez Jr says that Community Engagement allows for students and the university to be recognized in the community.
[Community] engagement allows not only for the students to get themselves out there and be recognized but it allows for the university to get their name put out there as well.
UTRGV offers this type of learning experience to all of its students, the purpose of which is to offer a balanced experience in learning and service within the community. Corrales believes that community engagement is one way for students to show their appreciation to the community.
[If] we have about ten thousand students participating which is a lot, why not thirteen thousand… because I think in the true essence of community engagement, it’s a staple mark of how you show care and love for the place where you live, work and study…
Corrales believes that the recognition by the Carnegie Foundation will serve as an invitation for more students to join in actively participating in the community through University Programs. For more information in how to get involved through Self- Service Learning call the Office Student Academic Success at 956-882-4300.
Reporter Victor Rivero
