About Community Impact

We invite students, staff, faculty, and partners to engage with the OCI and KU Libraries to contribute to KU’s impact. Whether you're looking to start a community partnership, showcase your research, or participate in community-engaged learning, we broker resources and support to help you make a difference.

The University of Kansas is proud to announce the establishment of the Office of Community Impact (OCI). As one of the university’s community-facing administrative offices, housed within KU Libraries starting in January 2026, OCI represents a bold step in aligning KU’s academic mission with the needs of communities across Kansas and the nation.

The OCI team will promote meaningful campus partnerships and initiatives that highlight the shared impact of faculty, staff, and student learning, scholarship, and outreach, not only on campus, but in surrounding cities, across the state, and nationally. Working closely with subject librarian specialists, including KU’s Community Engagement Librarian, the office will foster intentional connections that bridge scholarship and community priorities.

Through this collaboration, KU affirms its commitment to ensuring that academic research is accessible, relevant, and transformative serving as a resource for both advancing knowledge and strengthening communities..

KU Community-Engaged Learning, Scholarship, & Outreach

Gain hands-on experience in community engagement opportunities across our campus. 

  • Research & Innovation Projects – Learn about faculty research projects and how it pertains your interests, major, minor, career goals. Develop your own project that aligns with community needs. 

  • Student Organizations & Advocacy – Join a student-led initiative focused on social impact, equity, or civic engagement. 

  • Funding & Grant Opportunities – Explore available scholarships and funding to support community-driven projects. 

  • Use the KU Libraries Community Space – Collaborate with peers and faculty to showcase and develop research that drives change.

  • Community-Engaged Research & Teaching – Integrate engagement into your research or curriculum with OCI support. 

  • Interdisciplinary Collaborations – Connect with peers across disciplines to develop solutions to complex societal challenges. 

  • Partnership Development – Build sustainable relationships with community organizations and local leaders. 

  • Recognition & Funding – Apply for awards that recognize and advance engaged scholarship and outreach. 

  • Host & Attend Events in the KU Libraries Community Space – Utilize a central, inclusive venue to share research and creative activities with a broad audience. 

Through our partnership with KU Libraries, we are expanding the ways students, faculty, and staff can share their work, providing a dedicated space where research and creative activities are recognized, discussed, and transformed into action. 

Share Your Work

We amplify KU’s impact by showcasing the groundbreaking research, projects, and collaborations happening across campus. Share your work with us, and we’ll help connect it to broader audiences. · KU Community Impact Stories – Submit your project to be featured on our website and social media.

  • Event Promotion & Collaboration – Let us help promote your engagement-related events or connect you with campus partners.
  • Research & Creative Spotlights – Highlight your findings and their impact on communities through presentations, exhibits, and publications hosted in KU Libraries.