NEW YORK, NY - The John Jay College of Criminal Justice has announced the appointment of Cat Alves to the position of Director of Athletics and Recreation, effective immediately. 

"I am delighted that Cat Alves has agreed to accept the offer to serve as John Jay College's next Athletic Director," Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Dr. Brian Kerr said. "She is a visionary leader who cares deeply about the student-athletes, staff, and faculty she serves. I have a great deal of respect for Cat, and I am confident she will lead our athletics program to be one of the most successful in CUNY. Cat is loved and respected by all John Jay Bloodhounds!"

Alves, who is currently the longest tenured member of the Bloodhounds' staff, emerged during an extensive national search process as the ideal candidate to lead John Jay Athletics forward. Her appointment as Athletic Director was the culmination of several months of work by a 10-member search committee, led by Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) Dr. Gerard Bryant.

"I am an honored to serve as the next Director of Athletics & Recreation at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, an institution whose values underpin a commitment to student success and to justice in many forms," Alves said. "I want to thank President Mason and Vice President Dr. Kerr for their confidence in my leadership."

Alves arrived at John Jay College in May 2013 after being hired by longtime and now retired Athletic Director Carol Kashow. She originally served as the Associate Director of Finance and Administration and held that role for two years. Alves was then promoted to Senior Associate Director, and has served as the Deputy Director of Athletics since 2016.

"I am excited that Cat is the new AD," stated Kashow. "She knows the program, John Jay, and CUNYAC and will continue to build on the strong foundation we created over the last several years. I wish her all the very best."

Alves has a wealth of experience in college sports management, leadership, budgeting, and fundraising. Under her eight years of leadership with the Bloodhounds, Alves managed all department budget planning, capital facility projects, personnel, revenue generation, fundraising, and alumni relations. In part to her leadership, the department budget was doubled in the first fiscal year, followed by year-over-year growth since 2013. She also coordinated several maintenance and safety projects, while simultaneously liaising with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York on two multi-million dollar capital projects (Pool and Fitness Center / Locker Room projects). Further, department and team fundraising had been bolstered with the resurgence of the Athletics Hall of Fame, strategic fundraising campaigns, and increased alumni engagement.

Prior to her appointment at John Jay, Alves served as the Strategic Planning & Special Projects Manager at the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC). In this capacity, Alves oversaw wide-ranging efforts in support of the CUNY Athletics Strategic Plan 2012-2016, including research and analysis, content development, and meeting management. Alves played a significant role in the conference's University and external relations, facilitating partnerships with private and public entities and directing fundraising efforts. In addition to her responsibilities within the strategic planning realm, Alves also planned and coordinated all special events for the conference office, most notably having revamped The Goodwill Tour program as a premier service learning opportunity for scholar-athletes throughout the conference.

"John Jay College is so fortunate to have Cat Alves as its next Athletic Director, who will no doubt build upon the great foundation that was put in place by the previous AD, Carol Kashow," Dr. Bryant added. "Student-athletes and athletic department staff alike will have an advocate, supporter and motivator in their corner with Cat at the helm."

Recently, Alves launched an Esports recreational offering for the John Jay College community. She also formed a partnership with RISE, a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations. Through this partnership, Alves has inspired student-athlete leaders to create positive change on matters of race and equality.

Alves will now be responsible for the daily operations of the athletics department and its approximately 200+ student-athletes and 50 coaches and staff. She will continue to oversee a departmental budget and the college's 15 Division III varsity sports. More excitedly, Alves will lead an athletics department that has demonstrated excellence in both the classroom and in competition. She will focus her efforts on serving the student-athletes by providing them with a great athletic and academic experience. 

"Over more than eight years, we have grown our athletics and recreation programs to new heights under the leadership of my predecessors, Carol Kashow and Mark Francis," added Alves. "I look forward to working with the incredible student-athletes, coaches, staff, and college community to reach new levels of academic, leadership, and athletic success."

Alves replaces Mark Francis, who retired as Interim Athletic Director in June 2021. "Cat has worked diligently over the years to improve the success of student-athletes and to make the department financially secure," stated Francis. "Being selected the next AD is a wonderful acknowledgement for her efforts."

Alves is a proud member of the Women Leaders in College Sports organization (formerly NACWAA) and graduated from the prestigious Institute for Administrative Advancement in 2012, the Leadership Enhancement Institute in 2018, and the Executive Institute in 2021. A frequent presenter at CUNYAC member schools, Alves facilitated at the national level in 2012 for the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Dallas. She has served on Women Leaders in College Sports Foundation Fund national committee, the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee for Softball, and the Hostos Student Leadership Academy Advisory Council. She is also a current board member of the Hunter College Alumni Association and member of the NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Committee.

A 2009 graduate from the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, Alves was a four-year student-athlete for the softball program, earning the CUNY Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the Michael Steuerman Scholar-Athlete Award in her senior season. 

A native New Yorker, Alves currently resides in Queens. She earned her master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College in January 2015.

Alves will hold a town hall as she fully embraces her new role. Date and time for the town hall meeting will be posted on www.johnjayathletics.com and social media when it is scheduled.


What They Are Saying About Cat Alves:

"John Jay College and the Bloodhound student-athletes are fortunate to have Cat as their new Director of Athletics. Since her time as a softball student-athlete leader at Hunter College, she's been an asset to each program she's been associated with, and I have been fortunate enough to follow her career progression as a friend and colleague. She knows the CUNY Athletic Conference better than anyone, with impactful experience as a student, an administrator and now as the director of athletics." - Jason Fein, Director of Athletics at Bates College

"Cat is one of the best in the industry and John Jay is lucky to have her! She's extremely hard working and a phenomenal leader. Cat is representing Women Leaders IAA West Class of 2012 well and we are all proud of her accomplishments." - Jessica Huntley, Commissioner at Atlantic East Conference

"Cat has truly earned this new role. While she is respected both regionally and nationally, there is no one better who knows and serves John Jay's student-athletes, staff and alumni than Cat.  She has and will continue to work hard on behalf of the Bloodhounds as her new tenure begins as the AD." - Lori Mazza, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Western Connecticut State University

"Cat is an outstanding leader and is beyond ready for the AD chair. She has succeeded in every role during her tenure at John Jay and her intimate knowledge of the department will position her to successfully lead John Jay into the future. As a 2021 graduate of the selective Women Leaders Executive Institute—as well as our early-career and mid-level leadership institutes—she has demonstrated her desire to develop, lead and succeed at the highest level." - Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports