Many academic departments are making efforts to increase faculty and student community engagement as part of a movement to revitalize the civic function of higher education. A case study of the development of a public sociology program provides examples of steps that can be taken to involve educators and students in communities in multifaceted ways. The development of the program shows that it is critical to formally recognize the value of community-engaged activities and to institutionalize rewards for faculty who practice public scholarship and provide community services. Likewise, offering students a system of advancing opportunities for more prolonged and in-depth involvement in the community is needed to enrich their educational experiences, maximize the development of their civic and political skills, and improve the value of students' contributions to community partners.