About Academic Engagement

At the UNG, we believe that academic engagement through authentic partnerships with our communities should be an integral part of our DNA as an institution, not only determining the fabric of who we are, but also who we are going to be in the future.

Civic Action Plan

Community engagement is the means by which we express our scholarly, academic, and professional genes through mutually-beneficial community-campus partnerships. The Civic Action Plan (PDF) serves as a map for improving the depth and pervasiveness of our community engagement work. The plan covers the following areas: UNG's vision and mission, community engagement, campus compact, civic action commitments, and the civic action plan committee.

Mission Statement

Fostering a culture of informed citizenry through scholarship and engagement

Vision Statement

We envision a world where all students are equipped to be active and engaged citizens across their life span; participating in their communities as informed citizens; solving complex social problems; and promoting positive social change.

What is Academic Engagement?

Academic engagement combines academic identification with academic participation. This includes developing a strong relationship with professors and subject matter while also capturing work effort inside and outside school. Academic Engagement assist students with strengthening community partnerships and preparing students for democratic citizenship. This is done with the help of faculty and staff through teachings, research, and institutional actions.

What does Academic Engagement Include?
Academic engagement includes:

Demonstrating UNG’s commitment to the greater community

Promoting the mission of the university as a student focused environment that develops students into leaders

Advancing the university’s objectives as a University System of Georgia leadership institution

Progressing the objectives of the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

Strengthening UNG's initiatives through greater coordination and impact.

Why is Academic Engagement Important?

Academic Engagement works to build better relationships between students, faculty, and the community. Students and faculty are able to connect with the community and utilize the skills taught within the University. Academic Engagement increases opportunities for students to engage with the greater community as part of their educational plan.

What does the Center for Academic Engagement actually do?

The Center for Academic Engagement coordinates and facilitates comprehensive educational programming, community-based learning opportunities, and invests in discovery through engagement scholarship. The Center of Academic Engagement holds the leading role to direct engagement programs, nationally recognized by the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, across all five of UNG’s campuses. The Center for Academic Engagement aims to improve overall coordination of engagement for academic purposes within and across the University and wider community.