The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has established a set of Elective Classifications that higher education institutions can pursue and receive. Leadership for the Public Purpose is one of these classifications, and Pasadena City College will apply for this designation through a self-study application that is due in June 2026. 

“The Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification in Leadership for Public Purpose is a way for Colleges and Universities in the US to gain recognition for institutionalizing the development of leadership abilities in all institutional stakeholders and the understanding of leadership as a public good.” (https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/elective-classifications/)

Working Group Members

Jocelyn Stewart, Jason Robinson, Laura Ramirez, Crystal Kollross, Carrie Starbird, Lindsey Ruiz, Jessica Blickley, Suzanne Iwanicki, Frances Godinez, Carrie Afuso, and student representative (TBD)

Working Group Meetings and Activities

June 6

The working group members received an overview of the Carnegie Foundation Elective Classification: Leadership for Public Purpose. This included the application process (self-study), timeline (application due June 2026), framework, and its connection with one other classification (Community Engagement). Group members reviewed and discussed various supporting documents and materials and assigned specific members to each section of the application. They then identified strategies for engaging the broader PCC campus community in this work, which included: present to College Council, Academic Senate, and Classified Senate; engage specific stakeholders/groups; and host round-table discussions. The group also developed an internal timeline for accomplishing the self-study/application. A subset of the working group agreed to draft a theoretical framework prior to the next meeting. Future meeting dates were set.

July 24

The working group reviewed and approved a draft theoretical framework to guide PCC’s efforts related to leadership for public purpose. Further conversation occurred about engaging the PCC community, and there was agreement to connect with the Excelencia Seal working group to possibly coordinate efforts. The group then discussed a proposed timeline for drafting content within each of the application sections. The remainder of the meeting time was dedicated as working time for small groups to discuss their assigned section.

August 14

Each small group provided an update on the progress they are making with their assigned section and any questions or concerns they have at this point in time. The remainder of the meeting time was dedicated as working time for small groups.