Albertus Admissions and Employer Liaison Named Chair of Bridgeport Public Education Fund

New Haven, Conn., May 4, 2023 – Increasing access and opportunity to education is a core belief at Albertus Magnus College.  In that spirit, Albertus is pleased to announce that Eileen Lopez-Cordone, Assistant Director of Admissions and Employer Liaison for the College’s Division of Professional and Graduate Studies, is now Board Chair of the Bridgeport Public Education Fund (BPEF).  A product of the Bridgeport Public School System, Lopez-Cordone has served on the BPEF Board since 2009, becoming Vice President and Co-Chair in 2021 before being elevated to Chair just recently.  

Her role at Albertus is to enhance workforce development through education by building upon and expanding partnerships with employers throughout the region.  With an increased number of local employers offering additional educational opportunities, more employees are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to acquire the skills and degrees they need to get that promotion or dream job.

“Similar to my work and mission at Albertus Magnus College, BPEF significantly impacts the lives of high school and college students seeking to better their lives,” stated Lopez-Cordone.  “BPEF follows the students from high school to college to ensure they have the support systems they need to succeed and live in a new environment.  They are excited to start on a new educational journey and we are thrilled to see them reach their full potential.”

The Bridgeport Public Education Fund was established in 1983 as an independent advice fund of the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation.  The first outreach to the district was sponsoring the Mini-Grants for Teachers program.  Through relationship building and increased influence, the BPEF grew, becoming a separate non-profit educational organization.  It’s Board is made up of school, business, and civic leaders.  It is one of the few local education funds in the country and the only organization in Bridgeport that supports students while they are matriculated in post-secondary education. BPEF provides post-secondary students with scholarships, emergency financial assistance to cover tuition gaps, textbooks, and transportation. The Fund is designed to stimulate excellence in the Bridgeport Public School System by providing support for innovative programs that improve the educational climate in the city’s schools.  Programs include Community Outreach; Mentoring for Academic Achievement and College/Career Success; College Readiness Workshops; and the College Assistance Program.

Lopez-Cordone is a resident of Shelton, Conn.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Fairfield University and she is a graduate of the Hispanic Federation Leadership Institute at the University of Connecticut.  Lopez-Cordone is the co-founder of the Greater Bridgeport Latino Network (GBLN).  Her first event as BPEF chair was May 3, when the BPEF honored eight teachers from the Bridgeport School District for their outstanding work.