By Victoria Brito Morales

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JAN. 13, 2026 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has retained the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a testament to its unwavering commitment to serving the Rio Grande Valley. The accolade emphasizes the university’s role in strengthening community ties and addressing local challenges.

First awarded in 2020, UTRGV successfully reclassified through a rigorous yearlong review starting in spring 2025. Announced on Monday, the university is among more than 230 U.S. colleges and universities recognized in the 2026 cycle for their commitment to community engagement.

“Earning the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification once again reaffirms what we’ve always known – that UTRGV is deeply embedded in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “Community engagement is not just something we do; it's who we are. As we continue to grow, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serve, uplift, and partner with our communities in meaningful and lasting ways.”

This designation, from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education, is valid through 2032.

“At UTRGV, community engagement is not just an initiative – it is integral to who we are. This reclassification acknowledges the strong, ongoing collaboration among our students, faculty, staff and the communities we proudly serve throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” said Veronica Gonzales, senior vice president for Governmental and Community Relations.

The reclassification followed a comprehensive application process, according to Dr. Christian Corrales, assistant vice president of Community Engagement in the Division of Governmental and Community Relations.

“It involved a yearlong effort by a committee of university faculty, staff and community partners who collected data to support the completion of the 96-page application,” Corrales said.

He noted that the designation reflects the university’s close connection to the region it serves.

“The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification affirms that UTRGV is deeply connected to its community,” he said. “This distinction celebrates the power of collaboration in the Rio Grande Valley and reflects our commitment to the people of the region. It demonstrates that our university is not only educating students but actively partnering with communities to address real challenges, create opportunities and foster lasting impact.”

DEDICATION TO SERVICE

Estela De La Garza, director of Community Engagement, coordinated the reclassification application and hosted information sessions to clarify expectations and highlight necessary evidence of the campus team’s work.

“It’s exciting to see the collective work of our campus community recognized for their sustained, meaningful engagement with our region,” De La Garza said. “While we are proud to have earned our reclassification, we look forward to receiving detailed feedback to further strengthen and expand our community engagement efforts.”

Community engagement partnerships, focusing on teaching, learning, research and service, span the Rio Grande Valley with both internal and external parters, De La Garza said.

Internally, UTRGV fosters engagement through the Engagement Zone, connecting students, faculty, staff, and community partners with service learning and volunteer opportunities. The university also supports student-athletes from UTRGV Athletics in their community service efforts, providing opportunities for them to engage with the community while enhancing their leadership skills. Additionally, UTRGV provides structured support for faculty involved in community-engaged teaching and integrates experiential learning across undergraduate and graduate programs.

Externally, UTRGV cultivates reciprocal partnerships in health, education, economic development, public safety and the arts. Key collaborators include the Edinburg Police Department, RedRover Readers, Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), Proyecto Juan Diego and local school districts like Harlingen, Edinburg and McAllen. Partnerships with organizations such as Gladys Porter Zoo and local governments enhance applied research and address community needs.

Looking ahead, Corrales said that this designation creates new momentum and opportunities.

“Next, we aim to build stronger partnerships, expand innovative programs that serve our region and create even more opportunities for students, faculty and staff to collaborate with the community,” he said.

The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is an elective, evidence-based designation that documents how institutions integrate community engagement into their mission and operations. It is not an award but a framework for self-assessment and continuous improvement, requiring reapplication every five years to maintain the classification.

For a full list of the 2026 classified campuses, visit https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Carnegie_2026ClassifiedInstitutions.pdf