Ms. Jessenia Paoli, Esq. joined BCC in 2011 as an advisor and adjunct professor for the College Discovery program, the higher education opportunity program at the two-year CUNY colleges. This program was established to provide comprehensive academic support to assist capable students who otherwise might not be able to attend college due to their educational and financial circumstances.  As an opportunities program college graduate herself, the mission of the College Discovery program was one near and dear to Ms. Paoli’s heart. She later went on to serve the College as Associate Director of Judicial Affairs before taking on the role of Chief Diversity Officer in 2017, and in 2024 became the Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Success.  

As a member of the President’s cabinet, Ms. Paoli is a close partner in providing purposeful leadership for all college-wide DEI efforts collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders. She is responsible for monitoring, implementing, and enforcing our compliance programs, such as Title VI, VII, and IX; Section 504; and other city, state, and federal laws and regulations.  

Ms. Paoli earned her Bachelor’s degree from New York University and her Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School.  She is a licensed attorney for the First Judicial Department of New York.  Before coming to BCC, she practiced in the Banking & Institutional Investment Group of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP. During her tenure at Skadden, Jessenia did extensive pro bono work in education and mentored public school students in her native Washington Heights. Ms. Paoli was recently listed in Politics NY’s inaugural Power Players in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion list.