Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, president of the Community College of Aurora (CCA), has received the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s 2026 Equity Champions Legacy Award. Presented by Dr. Tricia Johnson, the honor recognizes Coloradans who have made a lasting difference in advancing equity in higher education across communities and the state.
For Dr. Brownlee, this recognition represents a collective achievement—one shaped by the faculty, staff, students, and partners who make CCA’s commitment to opportunity a daily practice. Their shared work centers on removing barriers, supporting student success, and creating pathways to economic mobility.
In announcing the award, CDHE highlighted a 20% increase in completions during Dr. Brownlee’s tenure and CCA’s distinction as Colorado’s first Achieving the Dream institution. Behind those milestones are students reaching their goals and expanding possibilities for themselves and their families.
This honor celebrates the power of a college community united around a shared purpose. It also reinforces the work ahead: continuing to build systems that help people turn their potential into achievement.
When a community commits to removing barriers, the opportunities it creates can reach generations.
