Embracing Change: Crafting Forward-Thinking Strategic Plans for Colleges in a Dynamic Society
To read Dr. Mordecai’s latest article published by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, please visit: https://www.diverseeducation.com/opinion/article/15667472/embracing-change-crafting-forwardthinking-strategic-plans-for-colleges-in-a-dynamic-society
CBS News: Community College of Aurora receives congressional funding for STEM center in Colorado
To view this CBS news story, please visit https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/community-college-aurora-receives-congressional-funding-stem-center/.
Colorado Community College System Listening Tour
The Community College of Aurora was honored to recently host the Colorado Community College System for the second stop of its Listening Tour. This intentional experience provides inclusive feedback for our students, faculty, instructors, staff, and community leaders to inform the system's next five-year strategic plan. Thanks to Chancellor Joe Garcia and Board Chair Landon Mascareñaz for their leadership.
The Aaron Harber Show
Don't miss our 2-part series featuring Executive Director Angie Paccione (Ph.D., former Colorado State Representative, Global Business Consultant, and Professional Basketball Player) and Dr. Mordecai Brownlee (President of the Community College of Aurora, Aurora Chamber of Commerce Community Leader of the Year, U.S. Department of Education Unlocking Career Success Initiative “Champion,” and Member of the Global Community College Leadership Network).
The discussion will focus on disclosing new opportunities in Higher Education, as well as the upcoming challenges facing colleges and universities.
Part One will broadcast at 9:00 PM this Friday, February 23rd.
Part Two will broadcast at 9:00 PM on Friday, March 1st.
Exclusively on PBS 12 (www.https://www.pbs12.org/)
Dr. Mordecai Receives Phi Theta Kappa Award for New Presidents
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) will recognize 24 college presidents with the Paragon Award for New Presidents during PTK Catalyst 2024, the Society’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida, April 4-6, 2024.
To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs are new in their role having served less than 3 years. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once.
The award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus.
“These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and made it a priority to support student success both inside and outside the classroom,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “This award is special because it comes directly from the students. Read more at www.PTK.org
Historic Partnership Formed Between Community College of Aurora and Aurora Police Department
The Community College of Aurora and the Aurora Colorado Police Department joined forces Wednesday for a public mixer celebrating the development of our new Cadet Pilot Program. Local officials, CCA leadership, and community leaders were on hand for the festivities. Thank you to Launch Pad Brewery for hosting the event! Check out pics here, and learn more about the Cadet Pilot Program by clicking the link! https://bit.ly/4bvwwmu
Dr. Mordecai Joins Colorado Freedom Memorial Board of Directors
This weekend, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee officially became a board member of the Colorado Freedom Memorial. Miss Lauren, his daughter, joined him for this special day.
Please visit https://coloradofreedommemorial.com/about-the-memorial/ to learn more.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Luncheon Hosted by Community College of Aurora
Read more about this successful community event here: https://sentinelcolorado.com/0trending/cca-aurora-police-honor-community-student-inclusion-leaders/
CCA Hosts “HACU On The Road,” Addressing Issues Facing Education For Hispanic/LatinX Students
To read this feature story, please visit: https://ccaurora.edu/news-press/press-release/cca-hosts-hacu-on-the-road-addressing-issues-facing-education-for-hispanic-latinx-students/
Community College of Aurora Hosts Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
This week, the Community College of Aurora (CCA) had the honor of hosting the HACU - Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities for “HACU on the Road.” Thank you to Dr. Antonio Flores, Colorado Community College System Chancellor Joseph Garcia, President of OLLU - Our Lady of the Lake University, Dr. Abel Chavez, CCA Presidential scholar Ben Salazar, La Academia de Liderazgo Fellow, Dra. Reyna Anaya, Colorado state demographer, Elizabeth Gardner, CCA VP of DEI & Chief of Staff, Dr. Angela Marquez, Dr. Roberto Montoya, AVP of Partner Success-HSIs at InsideTrack, and CG Pável Meléndez Cruz, Consul General of the Consulado General de México en Denver.
Dr. Mordecai Receives the Dr. Joseph H. Silver, Sr. LMI Alumni Award
This past weekend, Dr. Mordecai attended the Leadership & Mentorship Institute 20 year anniversary celebration. While there, he was surprised with the honor of being named the recipient of the Dr. Joseph H. Silver, Sr. LMI Alumni Award! President Brownlee is only the third person to receive this award.
Twenty years ago, Dr. Silver served as the Founding Director of the Leadership and Mentorship Institute, a training academy to prepare African Americans to serve higher education with excellence. Thank you to Dr. Silver, Dr. Barbara Johnson, Dr. Henrietta Pichon, and Dr. Roland Smith for this amazing honor.
To learn more about LMI, please visit: https://lmiexperience.org/
Dr. Mordecai's Social Media Engagement Featured in Community College Daily
Thank you Maya Demishkevich for your article highlighting how the Community College of Aurora is utilizing social media to advance our institutional mission and partnerships! Read the article here: https://www.ccdaily.com/2023/09/how-presidents-on-social-media-shape-community-college-success/?fbclid=IwAR32qpwN5AVLvymUvn_N4gu9W-yL1E2Gh1NHR-XA0rTVpvnUP0tEGBGqDwQ
Community College of Aurora Hosts U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona
Pictured from left to right: Colorado Community College System Chancellor Joe Garcia, Secretary Miguel Cardona, and Dr. Mordecai Brownlee
Read more about the Unlocking Pathways Summit Hosted by the Community College of Aurora Here: https://ccaurora.edu/news-press/cca-news/cca-hosts-summit-geared-toward-finding-students-jobs-after-college/
Dr. Mordecai Speaks With Chalkbeat Colorado Regarding Higher Education Funding
“But more will be needed to help sustain and accelerate that work, said Mordecai Brownlee, president of the Community College of Aurora. Brownlee, who praised Cardona and the state for the focus on helping students find a path to a job, said the students he serves, mostly low-income Black and Hispanic people, also need money for short-term training and certificate programs — the equivalent of a semester or less of college but enough to get the training for better-paying jobs. And they need more information about what job opportunities are available to them, he said.
Without the financial support, “they’re having to come out of pocket, they’re having to find the scholarship, or they have to find somebody to pay for it,” Brownlee said.”
Read more at https://co.chalkbeat.org/2023/8/10/23827572/education-secretary-miguel-cardona-community-college-career-job-training-aurora-jared-polis
Dr. Mordecai Discusses Career Advance Colorado on ABC Channel 7 "Mile High Living" w/ Sam Boik
Yesterday, Dr. Mordecai represented the Colorado Community College System and Community College of Aurora on Denver's Channel 7 ABC Mile High Living. Career Advance Colorado offers no-cost learning opportunities in an array of in-demand career fields. Learn more at www.CCCS.edu
GlobalMindEd Features Dr. Mordecai
From Developmental Math to College President: Meet Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, Overcoming Challenges and Giving Back
What is your personal story?
Effective July 15, 2021, I became the sixth president of the Community College of Aurora, part of the Colorado Community College System. With campuses in Aurora and Denver, CCA is a Hispanic-Serving institution providing instruction to nearly 10,000 students throughout its 350- square mile service area. I also teach for Lamar University within the College of Education & Human Development and serve as an international keynote speaker. This year, I was named 40 Under 40 by the Denver Business Journal and the Community Leader of the Year by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, I was featured by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education Magazine as a “New School” leader representing the next generation of college presidents.
These accomplishments were not even fathomable years ago when I graduated from high school, testing at developmental levels for Math. To make matters even more complicated, I failed developmental math at my local community college and was battling with whether I should withdraw from college. For the entirety of my collegiate career, I worked 40 hours a week and for a while worked graveyard shifts to make ends meet. Internally, I believed in myself and my ability to achieve my dreams. Over the years, those dreams have evolved, but my ultimate desires have held true – to be a blessing to my family and to be a blessing to others.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
I was raised by a single mother who served as a K-12 educator for more than 30 years. When my mother could not obtain childcare for me, the principal would allow me to sit at the back of her class while she taught—those times planted seeds within me that have now manifested in my life’s work as an educator. Those moments also instilled within me the importance of persistence and sacrifice to obtain my goals.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
My mother instilled in me the power of civic service. Throughout my K-12 learning experience, I spent countless hours volunteering within my community through an array of projects including neighborhood beautification, food bank operations, and youth mentorship programs. Those service-learning opportunities created scholarship and internship opportunities that transformed my life and career trajectory. Civic service is an integral part of who I am, and it will always be.
How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?
The Community College of Aurora proudly serves as the most diverse college in Colorado and over 50% of our students are first-generation students. With a vision to be the college where every student succeeds, it is imperative that our institution partner with organizations that are committed to closing the equity gap and creating a prepared and diverse talent pipeline as we are. GlobalMindED is one of those critical partners we look to support our institutional mission efforts.
Learn more about GlobalMindEd at https://globalminded.org/
