Tennessee State University (TSU) is aiming to achieve the “gold standard” status for research universities.
TSU announced it’s now in the process of seeking an R1 Carnegie Classification that would designate it as a university with “very high research activity.” TSU is currently one of 11 historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) operating with an R2 Carnegie Classification that recognizes “high research activity.”
Only four colleges in the state of Tennessee have the R2 designation currently.
“As the president of Tennessee State University, I take great pride in the ongoing accomplishments of our own faculty and students,” said TSU president Dr. Glenda Glover. “Only the top six percent of universities have this distinction (R2) or better and we are striving to reach the next level.”
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the leading framework for how higher institutions are categorized. To be considered for R1, an institution must offer at least 20 research or scholarship-based doctoral degrees and spend at least $5 million total a year on research. They also must score high on the Research Activity Index calculation.
This classification is done every three years.
The R1 classification would mean more doctoral programs, more grants and funding, and research initiatives. It’s considered the highest and most coveted rank.
TSU has been increasing its research output and intends to broaden more of the programs they offer by adding doctoral programs to the humanities. In March, TSU also reported continued record growth in research funding. The university’s external research funding is just over $70.2 million.
TSU Associate Vice President of Research and Sponsored Programs Dr. Quincy Quick said the university is working to seek an R1 status in hopes of elevating the university.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the outstanding faculty and staff and lead the research enterprise at Tennessee State University as we pursue our goal to achieve R1 status and reach new research achievements,” said Quick.
Quick also said that achieving the designation would not be easy, but TSU is up to the challenge.
Other HBCUs, including Morgan State University and Howard University are aiming for R1 status as well.
Howard University previously held R1 status in the late 90s and early 2000s but lost the status in reclassification after a shift in criteria.
Tennessee currently only has two R1 universities: the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
