Sacred Heart and University of Bridgeport to Collaborate

I am excited to share some important news with you today that will strengthen our academic offerings in the areas of engineering, health professions and education and will position us for continued long-term financial growth and success.

Sacred Heart University, along with Goodwin University and Paier College of Art, will work with the University of Bridgeport to create a new model for higher education that capitalizes on the programmatic strengths of each school. Located on the current campus of the University of Bridgeport, this unique educational project will separately house multiple and distinct schools. As part of this plan, Sacred Heart University intends to acquire some of the assets and academic programs currently controlled by the University of Bridgeport.

The schedule for full realization of the plan depends in part on approval from the accrediting organizations of the various academic programs. Considerations must also be allowed for the vetting and approval of each institution’s board of trustees, as well as a transition period to examine and align resources and programs.

The academic programs we will be taking on complement our current programming and will provide greater opportunities for our students. We will be adding two doctorates to our already robust engineering program, a doctorate in chiropractic and a graduate program in nutrition to the College of Health Professions and education certificates that will solidify us as a leader in teaching and leadership preparation, along with a new program in counselor education. These additions will strengthen our reputation in the region and nationally.

In many ways, this will be similar to our successful integration of St. Vincent’s College, which has now completed its move to Sacred Heart’s Fairfield campus. The assets we are acquiring will quickly pay for themselves, and the impact to Sacred Heart’s bottom line will be positive.

The new educational initiative will also benefit greater Bridgeport by ensuring that higher education maintains its critical presence in the city, aligns appropriately trained professionals with area employers and supports local businesses with associated revenue.

I look forward to your support and enthusiasm as we begin this new journey in evolving and expanding our educational mission.

Thank you.

John J. Petillo, Ph.D.
President