UNC Charlotte’s “Shaping What’s Next” strategic plan calls for the university to become “the preeminent academic institution in the region for . . . community-engaged research” while also achieving “national prominence as an emerging, top-tier research university.” Reconciling these objectives requires a new level of thoughtfulness in our pursuit of engaged scholarship. This year’s symposium examines four critical areas requiring greater intentionality in our quest to achieve these dual institutional priorities: curriculum, partnerships, research and merit.