Joel Espada & PeJay Lucky “The Value Of The Voices.”
Today, we’re having a conversation about what it means for a university to truly be part of the community it calls home, and what happens when education, faith, service, and community come together. Joining us are two leaders from Fairfield University’s Bellarmine Campus who are helping build those connections right here in Bridgeport.
First, we have Joel Espada, a Bridgeport native and Manager of Community Partnerships at Fairfield University’s Center for Social Impact. Joel has spent more than 15 years working across education, youth development, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. His work focuses on building meaningful partnerships with schools, community organizations, residents, and civic leaders to create greater opportunities for young people and strengthen Bridgeport communities.
And joining him is PeJay Lucky, Associate Dean for Student Success at Fairfield Bellarmine. PeJay is an educator, administrator, minister, and scholar whose work focuses on student success, leadership, faith, and belonging. He works to create systems of support and opportunity, particularly for first-generation and historically underserved students, while also teaching Religion at Fairfield University.
Together, Joel and PeJay bring two important perspectives to this conversation: how students can serve, learn, and lead, and how a university can build authentic relationships with the community around it.
