Overview - Enhance Community Engagement

Foster the engagement of students, faculty, and staff in the life of our communities and in pursuits improving their economic and social well-being.

Original Goal Three Planning Document

How is Indiana State doing to date?

Leading the Nation

Indiana State University’s tremendous commitment to community engagement was recognized in fall 2013 with a number one national ranking by Washington Monthly in its annual college guide. The university was selected as the top national university in the category of community service participation and hours worked by students, faculty and staff. The same publication ranked Indiana State as second in the country for the level of university support it provides to service learning.

The University has also been recognized on the U.S. President’s Higher Education Honor Roll for Community Service each year since its inception in 2006 and has earned the Carnegie Foundation designation of being an engaged university.

Indiana State University students, faculty and staff contribute more than 1 million hours to community non-profit agencies and other projects each year during events such as Donaghy Day, which is a time set aside to help beautify the campus and surrounding community. The University has made a special commitment to serving the Ryves neighborhood and recently built a Habitat for Humanity home in that area. Activities such as these both define and set the course for a student’s future involvement in their communities and in public service.

The Service-Learning Scholars program is another community engagement initiative arising from The Pathway to Success. This two-year experience for promising sophomores features coursework, self-reflection on the meaning of service and the application of the student’s academic training and interests to specific community needs through a supervised project.

Revving up the Economic Engine

ISU is more than just an educational institution—it’s a major driver of the local economy as well. The $500 million impact Indiana State has on the economy statewide proves this. Here in the Wabash Valley, Indiana State is the third largest employer (after Union Hospital and the Vigo County School system), providing jobs for 1,550 individuals living in the five-county region. An economically robust Indiana—in particular west-central Indiana—is an important priority of Indiana State’s community engagement efforts. The Business Engagement Center is one new strategic initiative focused on this cause. It serves as the university’s business incubation and engagement department. Through numerous strategic partnerships with university, business and civic organizations, the Business Engagement Center is a catalyst for innovation, job creation, profitability and economic diversity.