Paier College to move to Univ. of Bridgeport campus

BRIDGEPORT — Paier College has found a new home on the University of Bridgeport’s campus.

Paier announced on Monday it will relocate to Bridgeport in time for the fall semester. The school has also changed its name from Paier College of Art to Paier College, officials said, to reflect an expansion of degree offerings.

The move marks the latest development in Paier’s acquisition of struggling UB art programs in a joint deal forged this summer alongside Goodwin University.

“As we spent more time in Bridgeport and around the campus,” said Joe Bierbaum, the president of Paier College, “we just fell in love with the area and said ‘This can be the next refrain of the school.’ ”

Paier is a small, for-profit college in Hamden known for visual arts. The school will remain an independent institution on UB’s campus, occupying the Arnold Bernhard Center for Arts & Humanities and the Cooper Hall Dormitory along with two additional buildings on the southwest side of the campus.

A college spokesman said there were no plans to sell the Hamden campus.

The Arnold Bernhard Center, a nine-story building on Long Island Sound, houses a 1,000-seat performing arts theater, a permanent art gallery and dozens of classrooms, offices and performance and event spaces. Cooper Hall will provide 140 beds of oncampus housing to Paier students and UB students taking classes through Paier.

Plans are for Paier to share libraries, recreation and fitness centers, dining halls, health services and security with UB and Goodwin.

The school’s name change from Paier College of Art is effective immediately and comes as the school continues to add degree offerings outside of the traditional visual arts related to design and communications, officials said.

Last summer, Goodwin University, Paier College and Sacred Heart University made plans to take on several University of Bridgeport programs. SHU pulled out of the arrangement this fall, leaving Goodwin, Paier and UB to pursue a modified deal.

Paier College will acquire UB’s art programs, including graphic and interior design. Paier’s acquisition represents about 200 students, according to representatives for the school.

Bierbaum reflected on the growth of Paier since the beginning of his tenure in winter 2019.

“We had 55 students,” he said. “Now we have 135. With what we’re going to be added from programs UB was offering that we will be offering, I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the next two to three years, we’re 500 to 800 students.”

Goodwin will get about 4,100 students from UB and most of the university’s real estate. UB also sold property to Bridgeport to build a new Bassick High School.

Paier College needs approval for the agreement from the Connecticut Office of Higher Education. The school is also seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Education and its accreditors to offer certain UB bachelor’s degrees, including industrial design, digital marketing, mass communication and marketing.

“There’s a lot that can be gained from collaboration — from really honest collaboration,” said Bierbaum, adding that often in acquisitions, “It’s one school eating another — and that’s just not the case here. You have independence for three institutions that have three different sets of values and ideals.”

Bierbaum said he expects Paier students to benefit from the relocation to Bridgeport.

“When you get into these big, diverse communities, that’s where you get your best art,” he said.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said he anticipates the move will be mutually beneficial.

“As a home to hundreds of artists and innovators, the arts have always been an integral part of our city,” Ganim said in a statement. “We are thrilled Paier College has decided to call Bridgeport home. Paier will help us continue to inspire a more vibrant and creative community and provide more opportunities for our residents of all ages to enjoy the arts.”

School officials from UB, too, said they look forward to welcoming Paier on campus.

“Welcoming Paier College to Bridgeport is an important step in forming the consortium of higher education that will help us to maintain the legacy of the University of Bridgeport,” UB Interim President Stephen Healey said in a statement. “Paier’s unique programs focused on art, design and innovation will bring a new perspective to the city that will further enhance the diversity of our community.”