Middlesex College is one of 277 institutions nationwide recognized by the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement. On behalf of the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, this achievement reflects the College’s demonstrated commitment to deepening partnerships, leveraging community assets, and addressing urgent societal challenges.
The College integrates real-world experience into education through Community Engaged Learning (CEL) courses, departmental partnerships, and extracurricular initiatives. This includes collaborations with local organizations such as Legal Services of New Jersey, the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey, the Puerto Rican Action Board of New Brunswick, Interfaith-RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Services and Empowerment), and the Citizens Campaign and Civic Trust.
“Together, these partnerships create meaningful impact,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. “From dental hygiene students providing preventive care to children with developmental disabilities, to paralegal students assisting with urgent cases such as disaster relief or domestic violence—these causes support our mission to shape a stronger Middlesex County and create future leaders in the community”.
This accomplishment showcases the work that the College’s faculty, staff, students, and community partners do every day that has created a national legacy as an institution that listens to its communities, learns with them, and designs education in partnership rather than isolation.
“Through service-learning courses and initiatives our students develop a sense of belonging, leadership skills, and civic responsibility while addressing community challenges in Middlesex County,” said José Laureano, vice president, Student & Enrollment Services. “The Carnegie recognition reflects years of collaborative teaching, learning, and service that expand opportunity for our students while strengthening the communities we proudly serve. This recognition highlights that this work increases access and enhances student outcomes.”
In addition to collaboration opportunities among students, in 2021 the College established the President’s Community Advisory Committee to strengthen engagement with the communities it serves. The committee, which meets quarterly, includes over 30 representatives from government, education, nonprofit, and business sectors to identify collaboration opportunities and inform institutional planning. The resulting partnerships—such as science students working to help restore shellfish populations or working with middle schoolers in New Brunswick on homework support and social enrichment activities—help students develop holistically in their fields and personal lives.
“By partnering with ReClam the Bay, Middlesex County Parks, and Clean Ocean Action, our science CEL courses function as a classroom without walls,” shares Middlesex College Science professor Claire Condie. “Students gain applied experience, develop professional and community connections, and become deeply engaged in the environmental work shaping their own communities.”
“The Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement positions Middlesex College among an elite group of institutions across the country committed to meaningful, sustained community engagement,” said Charlotte Quigley, director of Civic Engagement and Community Partnerships. “It strengthens our ability to deepen partnerships, expand student learning opportunities, and continue serving as a trusted anchor institution in Middlesex County.”
“Carnegie recognition isn’t just a credential, it’s a public affirmation of our leadership and of Middlesex College’s commitment to community-centered education,” said Quigley.