In her newly created position as Manager of Online Programs and Academic Engagement, Jessica Cabrera will lead efforts to engage the approximately 20 percent of students who take BCC classes exclusively online each semester. Additionally, she will lead academic engagement initiatives for all students in close collaboration with academic departments and faculty.

Calling BCC her home for the past 12 years, Cabrera started as an ASAP Academic Advisor in 2013 and became ASAP Associate Director in 2017. She also currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Communication Arts and Sciences Department.

Cabrera will review, assess, and inform the enrollment/advisement process for online students by interacting and collaborating with the academic and administrative units of the College. She will work with departments across campus, ensuring that a process is established to engage and assist online students from Day One until graduation, with the goal of maintaining a meaningful and dynamic learning environment.

“The timing of this appointment couldn’t be better,” said Alex Ott, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs. “The Academic Master Plan (AMP) effort of the past year has included a focus on Online Programs, particularly how to better serve our online students. Jessica has been a co-lead of the AMP Online Programs Subcommittee with Jordi Getman-Eraso, Director of Online Learning. The AMP findings will help Jessica and the College chart a way forward with online courses and programs.”

Cabrera said many students begin as in-person students, but then after a semester or two pivot to online only. Currently, BCC offers seven fully-online associate degree options, including Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Networking, Education, English, Digital Design, Public Health and Liberal Arts and Sciences – and four online Certificate programs (Cybersecurity and Networking, Bilingual Early Childhood Assistant, Early Childhood Assistant, and Assistant of Children with Special Needs). Online program options are expected to be expanded in the future.

“I look forward to working with faculty to keep students engaged and connected regardless of the modality of learning they have selected,” Cabrera said. “While the online learning environment offers the flexibility many of our students need due to family obligations and work commitments, the lack of in-person interaction presents unique challenges.”

“Engagement is critical in this digital age,” she added. Cabrera said that she and the OAA are studying best practices among other online higher education learning environments within CUNY. “It takes a multi-faceted approach to ensure the process is seamless and incorporates interactive elements, provides students with timely and personalized feedback, and fosters a sense of community.”

In Fall, 2024, Cabrera was the recipient of a Latin Impact Award, which honors the achievements and impactful work of outstanding Latin American individuals in the community. She also was selected this past spring by the BCC Latino Faculty and Staff as the recipient of the 2024–25 Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award, recognized as an adjunct faculty member who exemplifies teaching excellence, a deep commitment to student achievement, and a passion for supporting our diverse student body’s academic and personal growth.