As part of the University’s strategic partnership with the diocese, “Pathways to Higher Learning” plans include offering an associate degree in an effort to extend greater access to higher education in the surrounding Bridgeport community.
FAIRFIELD—Fairfield University is exploring plans for a new academic unit that would offer an associate degree to students from low-income families and underrepresented communities, primarily in the surrounding Bridgeport region.
Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, made the announcement today and said that the proposed initiative, to be undertaken in partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport, represents a major step toward increased educational access at a critical moment in our society.
“Building upon the fine work undertaken last year by the President’s Commission on Educational Access, chaired by the former Dean of the School of Education and Human Development Robert D. Hannafin, PhD, this initiative is designed to improve upward mobility and career trajectory for students not currently served by Fairfield University. The initiative offers a pathway to a four-year degree and lifetime learning,” Dr. Nemec said. “We believe that Fairfield University can leverage its current position of strength to build on existing efforts and establish the university as a leader in educational access in our own community.”
The university will continue to work with the Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, the diocesan staff and other community partners to move the project forward.
Bishop Caggiano praised Dr. Nemec and the leadership of Fairfield University for their commitment and vision, and said he looked forward to the university working out the final details in the coming months.
“I ask for prayers throughout the diocese as the university discerns the details of the initiative. This is a major step in creating access and empowering students to succeed,” he said.
“I believe this initiative will have a major impact on many young people in our region. The partnership with Fairfield sets a model of what a diocese and Catholic institution of higher learning can do together to create opportunity and equity at a time when many people are asking for change and we have an opportunity to make a difference.”
The bishop said the innovative new plans grew out of the developing partnership with Fairfield University to serve the community. He said that he has long seen the need for such a program and that many students in diocesan and public high schools will have their lives transformed by the initiative.
Dr. Nemec said the new educational outreach “brings the university and the diocese together to build on the historic achievement of the Catholic Church in contributing to the quality and availability of education in Fairfield County. There is much enthusiasm and commitment to this initiative which expands our relationship with the diocese as we work to realize greater diversity equity and inclusion, which is part of a much larger and ongoing effort to bring new hope and opportunity through education.”
On July 31, the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Diocese of Bridgeport and Fairfield University announced a strategic partnership to supports pathways to higher education, and a platform for access to the university’s resources for the people of the diocese and the greater Bridgeport community.
As one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, Fairfield University is observing the Ignatian year as designed by the Superior General of the Society Arturo Sosa S.J., to commemorate the 500th anniversary the moment that lead to Ignatius’ conversion and ultimately to the founding of the Society of Jesus.
“The Jesuit tradition has created some of the greatest colleges in the United States and around the world,” said the bishop. “Fairfield’s willingness to reach out is a major resource that can have an impact on future generations and foster greater inclusion as Fairfield County and the diocese continue to grow more diverse.”
The bishop said that after the diocese created its own strategic plan for education through its Education Commission, the diocese understood the need to create more linkage between the university and underserved communities.
“Our high schools have done a great job in readying students to continue their education, but not all students have the same opportunities or resources. The new associate degree programs will provide the support and encouragement that will make their higher education dreams a reality,” he said.
The partnership with the diocese, “Pathways to Higher Learning,” consists of ongoing projects and joint initiatives, some of which are already underway, to empower students through ongoing learning, mentoring and service opportunities.
Current initiatives include The Bridgeport Tuition Grant program, which provides full-tuition scholarships for eligible students whose family incomes is less than $50,000 a year; the Community Scholars Program that offers full-tuition scholarships for top-performing students, including those from diocesan schools; and the Aquinas Fellowship Program, which provides tuition support for diocesan teachers to attend graduate programs at Fairfield University.
The university also holds a Financial Aid Night and a College Planning and Preparation Workshop to help families in the diocese plan for and apply to college. Since 2008, through the university’s Center for Social Impact, hundreds of university students have worked with diocesan partners such as Caroline House, Catholic schools and the Thomas Merton Center to support program delivery through community-engaged learning courses and research projects. The university is in the process of developing programs to serve students from Bridgeport through writing, science and engineering camps at the diocese’s Catholic Center in summer 2022.
The diocese and Fairfield University have also worked together on the university’s Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality, which has served many individuals and parishes throughout the diocese.
More than 2,100 students are currently enrolled in Catholic high schools throughout the diocese and nearly 5,000 students are enrolled in the 19 elementary and middle schools, and one special needs school. The diocese also provides religious education to almost 22,000 public school students who are enrolled in the 77 diocesan parishes in Fairfield County.
“We know that education correlates with health and social justice issues. Fairfield University’s commitment supports the Holy Father’s call for inclusion in educational and other opportunities that will enhance and promote the dignity and respect of all individuals. We are being engaged by the successor of Peter to make this kind of outreach the centerpiece of our mission in our own diocese,” the bishop said.
