Fairfield University has been awarded a $1 million grant from longtime partner Bank of America, to support its new Fairfield Bellarmine program. The program offers two-year associate’s degrees to students from the Greater Bridgeport region as a foundation for their pursuit of a bachelor's degree, or as a pathway to enter the workforce. The investment is Bank of America’s largest grant to date in Southern Connecticut.

“We are most thankful for Bank of America’s continued investment in Fairfield University,” said President Mark R. Nemec, PhD. “Over the years, our University programming — from guest speaker series, to career advancement, and engaging community events — has been greatly enhanced by the generosity and support of Bank of America. Building on the momentum of our longstanding partnership, we will continue to work together with optimism and hope to positively impact our shared community through education and workforce development.”

Fairfield Bellarmine’s inaugural Class of 2025 began fall semester classes on the newly renovated Bellarmine Campus, located at 460 Mill Hill Ave. in Bridgeport, Conn. Applications for the next cohort of Fairfield Bellarmine students are accepted on a rolling basis.

Bank of America has been committed to working with community partners across Southern Connecticut for many years, helping to drive economic opportunity and upward mobility. Partnering with Fairfield Bellarmine to advance economic and social progress through education, job skills readiness, and workforce development is one of the key ways in which Bank of America supports long-term, sustainable growth in local communities.

“As lead philanthropic corporate partner, we are continuing our decades-long partnership with Fairfield University to help Fairfield Bellarmine and its students address barriers to employment through career training and workforce pathways,” said Bill Tommins, President, Bank of America Southern Connecticut. “Cross-sector partnerships are critical to building a thriving community, and we look forward to seeing the impact that Fairfield Bellarmine will make here in Southern Connecticut’s workforce and economy.”

Bank of America will also offer career exploration events as well as mentorship and paid employment opportunities for students of Fairfield Bellarmine who are interested in pursuing career pathways from retail banking to wealth management.

Fairfield University and Bank of America’s collaborative partnership spans six decades and has included student mentorship and professional development opportunities, support of key programs and initiatives in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, and programming at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, such as the Open VISIONS Forum “Women and Leadership” series.

Bank of America also serves as the primary operating bank of Fairfield University with ATM services available throughout campus. Over 300 members of the Fairfield University community are currently employed by Bank of America or one of its subsidiaries.

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries.