Assessing Michigan State University's Efforts to Embed Engagement across the Institution: Findings and Challenges

Abstract

This article describes how Michigan State University developed and implemented an institutional framework that identifies outreach and engagement as a scholarly, crosscutting function. These efforts sought to elevate the valuation of outreach and engagement across the institution and to ensure that outreach and engagement complemented the other professional responsibilities of faculty. The article also describes how the institution is beginning to assess the impact of those efforts on faculty attitudes and behavior. Preliminary findings suggest that while institution-level support is necessary, outreach and engagement will not flourish at research universities until academic units interpret and align the institutional framework with faculty efforts in ways appropriate to their disciplines. Efforts also must be taken to ensure that the faculty reward system encourages outreach and engagement.