DART (Drone, Aviation & Robotics Technology) is pleased to welcome Jaqueline Cruz to its Board of Directors.

Jaqueline “Jackie” Cruz is Vice President of Advancement at Hartnell College and Executive Director of the Hartnell College Foundation, where she leads resource development, alumni relations, government relations, and strategic partnerships spanning industry, education, philanthropy, and municipalities. She is the architect of the Foundation’s integrated Advancement and Foundation team, and her work has been instrumental in strengthening institutional capacity, expanding access to opportunity, and advancing equity-driven workforce initiatives across the Salinas Valley.

Jackie’s passion for education and economic mobility is deeply rooted in her lived experience and her commitment to supporting youth, women, veterans, and underrepresented communities. During her tenure at Hartnell, she has led two comprehensive campaigns, five capital campaigns, and a bond campaign, while working closely with college leadership and board members to build vibrant partnerships with local industry and philanthropic organizations. These efforts have brought critical resources to close equity gaps, increase higher education attainment, and support workforce-aligned programs and facilities that prepare students for high-demand careers.

Jackie has played a foundational role in the development of the Maturing Regional AgTech & Aerospace Job Readiness Pathways initiative in partnership with DART. This two-year, James Irvine Foundation–supported effort expands equitable, stackable workforce pathways in drone-enabled agriculture and aerospace technology across the Central Coast. Under this initiative, Hartnell College, an HSI serving more than 17,000 students annually, works alongside DART, Monterey Peninsula College, the Monterey County Black Caucus, veteran-serving organizations and other community-based organizations to ensure underserved and military-connected learners can access FAA-aligned training and family-sustaining careers.

This work will also be implemented in coordination with the CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research (CIDER) at UC Santa Cruz, aligning DART’s community-embedded delivery and pathway maturation work with CIDER’s statewide leadership in FAA Part 107 curriculum stewardship through the Drones Uplifting the Central Coast (DUCC) initiative. 

The program includes the design and launch of a Hartnell and Monterey Peninsula College drone education strategy integrated into AgTech and STEM pathways; community-based aerospace pilots in Seaside; and a veteran- and DoD-focused transition pathway supporting FAA Part 107 certification and civilian career placement. Over the two-year award period, the initiative aims to engage at least 150 learners, support 50 FAA Part 107 certifications, formalize regional aerospace education pathways, and strengthen employer access to trained entry-level talent.

Jackie’s leadership has been pivotal in aligning institutional priorities and cross-sector collaboration to move this work from concept to implementation. Her presence on the DART Board further strengthens the organization’s ability to catalyze inclusive, community-centered workforce systems that translate emerging low-altitude technologies into real opportunity.

Jackie holds an associate’s degree from Hartnell College, a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Chapman University, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. She has served as Board Chair of Digital NEST, currently sits on the Board of Rancho Cielo, the Boys and Girls club of Monterey County and is vice president of the network for California community college foundations. 

DART is honored to welcome Jackie Cruz and looks forward to her continued leadership in advancing equitable pathways, regional collaboration, and a resilient low-altitude economy.