Activation Plan

Below is an overview of some campus activities:

Fairfield University remains steadfast in advancing our civic commitments through innovative initiatives, interdisciplinary research, and community engagement. These efforts reflect our Jesuit mission to educate the whole person and promote social responsibility in service to the common good. These initiatives integrate academic excellence with real-world impact:

• Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies – Engages students and faculty in interdisciplinary research to address the critical environmental challenges of our time, and fosters community collaboration to safeguard the Long Island Sound and beyond.
• Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) – Prepares students to ethically and effectively leverage AI in their careers through hands-on learning, capstone projects, and collaborations with leading experts. With a new AI specialization and innovative undergraduate feeder courses, Fairfield remains at the forefront of this transformative field.
• Center for Social Impact – Bridges campus and community, empowering students to address local, national, and global challenges, collaborating with small businesses and nonprofits to foster academic opportunities and leadership development while advancing social responsibility.
• Campus Connect Series – Brings faculty expertise directly to the public, fostering dialogue on critical and timely topics while enriching the cultural and intellectual fabric of our community.
• Open VISIONS Forum & Common Ground Series –  Brings together students, faculty, staff, community members, and thought leaders for open, civil discourse, providing opportunities to engage with diverse political and intellectual perspectives and learn from one another.
• Lafayette National Symposium – Examines historical and contemporary struggles for human rights, drawing lessons for today’s civic challenges.
• Stags Vote – Initiatives focused on 1) voter registration and access and 2) voter education on issues and candidates. The majority of these initiatives are designed to benefit both the University and local communities, underscoring Fairfield’s dedication to fostering an informed and engaged electorate.

Additionally, Fairfield University actively supports the regional economy through sponsorships with the local Chamber of Commerce and by hosting small businesses on campus for pop-up markets, providing a platform for local entrepreneurs to connect with our community. The University also hosts career fairs and networking events, creating opportunities for students to engage with local professionals, explore potential career paths, and build relationships with businesses and organizations in the region.

Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate Fairfield University’s holistic approach to advancing civic commitments through research, education, and community engagement.

Planned Future Initiatives: 

We will continue with the work above.  Additionally, given our location in one of the oldest colonial communities in the United States–Fairfield was settled in 1639–we are planning on using the occasion of the semiquincentennial to engage our broad in a number of programs and events relating to the American civic enterprise.