Wartburg College is one of 240 colleges and universities honored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its commitment to community outreach and service-learning.

The Community Engagement Classification recognizes schools with quality institutional outreach and community engagement that aligns among mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices. The classification is the highest standard of recognition available for higher education community engagement efforts. Only 361 colleges and universities, including six in Iowa, have earned the classification.

Wartburg was a member of the inaugural class of 62 institutions receiving the Community Engagement Classification in 2006. The college earned the reclassification, valid through 2025, following a rigorous application process that illustrated the college’s continued and deepened commitment to community engagement and outreach.

In addition to a leadership minor, Community Builders program and High School Leadership Institute summer camp — programs that earned the college recognition in 2006 — Wartburg also offers more than 100 service-learning academic courses and a student-led Service Trips program that regularly earns national recognition for participation.

“We strive to create experiential and service-learning opportunities to help our students grow and learn,” said Kristin Teig Torres, assistant director of the college’s Center for Community Engagement. “The work our faculty is doing, the courses our students are taking and experiences they are having all go back to the heart of what Wartburg College is about. We are creating liberal learners. We are creating active citizens. This classification validates that.”