FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Coffee and college are so intertwined that Bridgeport’s Sound Coffee and Sacred Heart University have teamed up to create the Pioneer Blend, a limited-edition dark roast.
The coffee, however, won’t only be fueling students in their study sessions or homework assignments but also in their support of the local Bridgeport community. Proceeds from the sales will support the more than 115,000 community service and engagement hours SHU students complete annually in Bridgeport and beyond.
Sound Coffee is rooted in a mission to provide the highest quality product to a diverse and dynamic audience. Cofounders Jeff and Sarah Roy launched the business, drawing from backgrounds in technology and community engagement united by a shared passion for sustainability, connection and great coffee.
“We’re an independent roaster based in Bridgeport, focused on high-quality, small-batch coffee and building meaningful connections through it,” he said. “The name comes from the Long Island Sound but also speaks to the idea of harmony, how we source, roast and show up in the world. Our mission is to make great coffee more approachable while staying grounded in community and sustainability.”
For Sound Coffee, a business dedicated to the betterment of the Bridgeport community, a partnership like this was a no-brainer. “It has been a great experience from the start. The SHU team was open-minded and collaborative,” Roy said. “They had a clear vision for creating something unique to their campus that also reflected their values as a community. We worked closely to taste coffees, refine the roast profile and develop a blend that felt like it truly belonged at SHU.”
Francis X.R. Origanti, senior vice president of mission & culture at SHU, said community partnerships are important for the University and its students. “We are proud to partner with Sound Coffee—a collaboration that reflects our shared commitment to community, purpose and heart,” Origanti said. “This partnership is about more than just offering exceptional coffee; it’s about creating opportunities for connection and engagement across our campus and beyond.”
Roy agreed that the partnership offers students valuable lessons. “We want students, faculty and alumni to feel proud that this coffee is part of their SHU experience. It’s a small but meaningful way to connect to the University’s identity,” he said.“We also see a great opportunity to build educational experiences around coffee, sustainability and running a small business. We’re excited to grow with SHU over time.”
Origanti added, “It’s a partnership brewed in shared values and served with heart.”
About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu