Engagement is two-way communication and involves a deliberate, well-planned process where the university faculty and staff inform, involve and have participation from community or business. Engagement typically occurs through community-engaged research and teaching (both credit and non-credit) and includes learner assessment and/or program outcomes & impact.

Engaged Scholarship results from a collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership between university faculty, staff and students and external non-higher education partners. Engaged scholarship is typically created and communicated through the discovery of new knowledge, the development of new knowledge, dissemination of new knowledge, and a change in learning, behavior and/or condition.

Community-Engaged Learning integrates engagement with external communities into coursework to deepen students’ academic learning and promote civic responsibility.

Outreach is one-way communication where the university faculty and staff provide information about an issue, problem, or opportunity. We typically describe this as public service. University faculty and staff are constantly providing outreach services through a variety of methods and activities, such as responding to citizen inquiries, providing research-based information, consulting, expert testimony, technical assistance, clinical practice, diagnostic services and serving on boards of directors. These activities ae one-way communication and do not require learner assessment or program evaluation.

Community is a group of people connected either by geography, proximity, special interests, similar situations, or values. While the university is a part of a community, MSU’s description of a community means individuals, groups, and organizations external to campus. Our community extends beyond the local, to include regional, state, national, and global partners and may come from a variety of sectors, including but not limited to nonprofits, businesses, civic agencies, and schools.

University Service is when faculty, staff or students participate in various activities,programs, and functions related to the enhancement of the university, such as participating in the formulation of academic policies, service on university committees, and accepting other assignments outside of teaching, research, or creative activity.

Professional Service is faculty, staff or students participate in professional associations, discipline-related business and industry, other institutions of higher education for the purpose of exchanging and/or advancing discipline-specific knowledge and expertise.

Volunteerism is the act of contributing free time and/or labor to conduct community service or support of a nonprofit organization.