Help Support SHU's Teacher Residency Program

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

Sacred Heart University (SHU) was selected as the only institution in the Northeast in 2024 to receive a $3.38 million U.S. Department of Education Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grant, aimed at addressing Connecticut's critical teacher shortages in high-need areas such as special education, science and math. This funding was set to support up to 80 teaching positions over the next five years, focusing on schools in Bridgeport and Stamford.

However, recent federal policy shifts in Washington have led to the revocation of this grant, jeopardizing the future of SHU’s teacher residency program.

Sacred Heart has been in conversation with an anonymous member of the larger SHU community about stepping in to help cover essential program costs while we navigate this recent policy change. This donor has offered a generous $60,000 challenge grant, matching dollar-for-dollar, every gift raised in support of the stipends for teaching mentors. These stipends are crucial in ensuring that experienced educators can serve as mentors, guiding and preparing the next generation of teachers. Without this support, the quality and sustainability of the residency program, and its impact on local classrooms, are at risk.

We are asking for your support to help bridge this critical funding gap.

Every gift, no matter the size, will go directly toward providing stipends for teaching mentors, ensuring they can continue to share their expertise and shape the future of education. By coming together, you can help Sacred Heart sustain this program and invest in the success of both educators and students. Please consider making a gift today.