Throughout the discussion, Dr. Hines shares insights from her research and personal journey, offering a candid look at the realities many leaders navigate behind the scenes. From the "hidden curriculum" of executive leadership to the emotional weight of representation, this conversation challenges listeners to think more deeply about what leadership truly requires.
One of the most powerful moments comes when Dr. Hines discusses the pressure some leaders feel knowing that their success or failure may influence opportunities for those who follow them.
💭 "My vision is that ten years from now this book reads as a historical account of what we overcame rather than a recurring warning."
This episode is a reminder that leadership is not simply about position or authority. It is about courage, service, purpose, and creating pathways for others to succeed.
Special thanks to The EDU Ledger for its continued sponsorship of Discovering Your Mission and its commitment to elevating meaningful conversations that inspire leaders and strengthen higher education.
For decades, colleges and universities have measured success through enrollment, retention, and completion. While these metrics remain important, a growing national conversation is challenging higher education leaders to consider a deeper question:
What happens after graduation?
For many learners, education is not simply about earning a credential. It is about creating a pathway to economic mobility, family stability, and a better future.
In a recent episode of Discovering Your Mission, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee sat down with Jee Hang Lee, President and CEO of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), to discuss the evolving role of community colleges in advancing workforce development and economic opportunity.
During the conversation, Lee emphasized the importance of ensuring that educational pathways remain closely aligned with workforce needs and lead to careers that provide family-sustaining wages. As the nation enters the Workforce Pell era and policymakers increasingly focus on employment and earnings outcomes, community colleges find themselves at the center of one of the most consequential discussions in higher education.
The conversation serves as an important reminder that access alone is not enough. Institutions must also be committed to helping learners achieve meaningful outcomes that improve their quality of life and strengthen their communities.
Brownlee has long argued that community colleges represent some of the most powerful engines of economic mobility in America. Through workforce-aligned education, employer partnerships, apprenticeships, and innovative credential pathways, colleges have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to help learners translate education into opportunity.
The featured clip from this episode offers a timely perspective on the future of higher education and the critical role institutions play in preparing learners not only for graduation, but for long-term success.
Discovering Your Mission is sponsored by The EDU Ledger and features conversations with national leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are helping shape the future of education, workforce development, leadership, and economic opportunity.*
Stay tuned for a brand-new episode of premiering this Wednesday.
A new episode of Discovering Your Mission with Dr. Mordecai is now available, featuring a timely and thought-provoking conversation with Jee Hang Lee, one of the nation’s leading voices in higher education governance and advocacy.
Sponsored by The EDU Ledger, the episode explores the rapidly changing landscape facing community colleges and higher education institutions across America. Together, Dr. Brownlee and Jee Hang Lee engage in an honest national conversation on leadership, governance, demographic shifts, workforce alignment, political uncertainty, and the growing pressure for institutions to demonstrate economic value and long term sustainability.
Throughout the discussion, Jee Hang Lee offers a unique national perspective shaped by years of federal policy, public advocacy, and work alongside governing boards and college presidents across the country.
The conversation highlights several critical themes impacting higher education today, including:
• The growing importance of workforce-aligned education and economic mobility outcomes • Why demographic decline should already be shaping institutional strategy • The increasing competition community colleges face across the higher education marketplace • What separates high-performing governing boards from struggling ones • The evolving expectations placed on modern college presidents • The responsibility community colleges carry as both a point of access and opportunity for students nationwide
The episode serves as both a strategic reflection and a call to leadership for current and aspiring presidents, trustees, policymakers, and higher education professionals navigating one of the most consequential periods in the history of community colleges.
Discovering Your Mission with Dr. Mordecai continues to feature influential national leaders whose stories, insights, and experiences challenge audiences to lead with greater purpose, courage, and clarity.
At a time when higher education is under increasing strain, one truth is becoming clear: leadership requires more than passion. It requires purpose.
In the latest episode of Discovering Your Mission, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee sits down with Dr. Darryl Holloman, Vice President for Student Affairs at Spelman College and Chair of NASPA, to explore the evolving realities of leadership in student affairs.
Their conversation highlights a growing challenge across the profession. Burnout, shifting student needs, and increasing institutional pressure. Yet, despite these realities, student affairs remains central to the mission of higher education.
A key theme emerges. The need to move from being viewed as problem solvers to becoming strategic thought partners in shaping institutional direction and student success.
At the core of Dr. Holloman’s perspective is a simple but powerful belief: “Good work stands.”
For emerging leaders, the message is equally clear: run your own race. Leadership is not defined by speed, but by alignment with purpose and readiness for the right opportunity.
This conversation serves as both a reflection and a call to action. For leaders at every level to remain grounded, intentional, and committed to the work that transforms lives.
🎧 Watch the full episode of Discovering Your Mission: https://youtu.be/v-xk87k3hY8
In a recent episode of Discovering Your Mission, Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee sits down with Dr. Donna J. Nicol, author, scholar, and associate dean at California State University, Long Beach, for a compelling conversation on leadership, influence, and the strategic use of one’s voice.
In this featured clip, Dr. Nicol reflects on a critical lesson from her leadership journey: understanding when to speak with force and when to build influence before doing so. Her insight highlights a reality many leaders encounter but few master. The effectiveness of a leader is not solely defined by their willingness to speak, but by their ability to discern the right moment to do so.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Nicol emphasizes that leadership is not about constant visibility or volume. Instead, it requires intentionality, awareness, and discipline. Knowing when to advocate, when to listen, and when to act strategically can determine whether a message creates temporary noise or lasting impact.
Dr. Brownlee’s interview continues to elevate conversations that matter in higher education and beyond, particularly those centered on purpose-driven leadership, equity, and institutional transformation. This exchange with Dr. Nicol offers a timely reflection for leaders navigating complex environments where influence must be exercised with both courage and precision.
🎧 Watch and Listen to the Full Episode
Black Woman on Board: Power, Access, and the Legacy of Claudia Hampton https://bit.ly/47fPrRX
In recognition of Women’s History Month, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee released a compelling new episode of Discovering Your Mission featuring Dr. Donna J. Nicol, author of Black Woman on Board.
Sponsored by The EDU Ledger, the conversation highlights the groundbreaking leadership of Dr. Claudia Hampton, the first Black woman appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees. Through Nicol’s research, Hampton’s story emerges as a powerful example of navigating influence, governance, and institutional change.
At the center of the discussion is the concept of “sly civility”—a strategic leadership approach rooted in building trust, understanding power, and advancing change with intention. Rather than relying solely on confrontation, Hampton demonstrated how timing, positioning, and relationships can be leveraged to expand opportunity for others.
This episode challenges leaders to consider a critical question: When is it time to speak—and when is it time to build?
As Dr. Nicol notes, “Sly civility requires you to be civil with the people who have power in order for you to gain access to their institutions.”
Through this conversation, Dr. Mordecai continues to elevate leadership at the intersection of purpose, equity, and economic mobility.
Hosted by Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee, president of the Community College of Aurora and a national voice on purpose-driven leadership and economic mobility, Discovering Your Mission features conversations with leaders who are shaping the future of education, workforce development, and community impact.
The first episode under this new partnership features Brook DeRenzis, CEO of the National Skills Coalition, in a wide-ranging discussion on the future of work, skills-based hiring, and the evolving role of higher education in an economy defined by rapid technological change.
Drawing on her national policy leadership and personal lived experience, DeRenzis outlines why skills—technical, digital, and durable—have become the foundation of economic mobility. The conversation also highlights the growing importance of community and technical colleges, the rise of working learners, and the urgent need to design education and workforce systems that support lifelong learning.
At the center of the discussion is a clear message: workforce training is not a “second-chance” system, but a first-choice investment in people, communities, and national prosperity.
Key themes from the episode include:
Skills as the foundation of economic mobility
Credentials that validate skills rather than create barriers
The central role of working learners in the future of higher education
Community and technical colleges as engines of workforce advancement
Continuous learning as an essential strategy in an AI-driven economy
The importance of equity and student voice in workforce policy
“Jobs that require skills training are the backbone of our economy,” DeRenzis shared during the conversation.
Dr. Brownlee emphasized the broader mission of higher education, noting that the future of opportunity will be built on systems designed to lift people, not leave them behind.
Through this new partnership, The EDU Ledger and Discovering Your Mission will continue to spotlight national leaders, emerging workforce trends, and the strategies shaping the next era of higher education and economic mobility.
Too many people confuse leadership with position. Brian Haggerty reminds us that it’s really about integrity, preparation, and how you treat people when no one is watching.
In this conversation, Brian (author of How to Be a Successful Politician) shares lessons that are transferable far beyond politics—especially for presidents, executives, educators, and anyone responsible for people.
We talk about:
Why “success” is service, not status
The discipline of only promising what you can deliver
Preparation as the difference between leading and merely occupying a role
Communication: eye contact, presence, and the power of self-awareness
His CLASS Academy: Communications, Leadership, and Social Skills—skills every learner deserves
Leadership isn’t getting easier — and neither is carrying the weight of institutions and people who depend on us.
That’s why I was grateful for the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Shelley White for a timely and honest conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it truly takes to build institutions that serve their communities well.
In this episode, we explore: • How leaders stay grounded when the work feels heavy • What it looks like to lead with both courage and care • Practical lessons for mission-driven leaders navigating complexity
On this Election Day, I’m voting for leadership that transforms communities.
Today, I’m casting my vote for the kind of leadership that leads with humility, courage, and service — the kind embodied by President Tracy Hartzler, my latest guest on Discovering Your Mission.
In our conversation, President Hartzler and I explore how her life of public service — from working with Native Nations and state government to leading New Mexico’s largest community college — has shaped a vision of education grounded in empathy and action.
Her story is a reminder that the path to leadership is rarely linear. She didn’t begin in higher education. She built her foundation through service, law, and policy — all transferable experiences that today make her one of the most innovative community college leaders in America.
Some powerful takeaways from our discussion:
✅ Transferable Leadership Matters. The best leaders draw wisdom from across sectors — public, private, and civic — and bring those insights to strengthen education. ✅ Partnership Is the New Power. CNM is redefining collaboration by building an ecosystem of employers, educators, and policymakers to meet real workforce needs. ✅ Resilient Leadership Is Relational. From the pandemic to post-pandemic transformation, Hartzler shows that transparency, inclusion, and shared purpose sustain institutions through disruption. ✅ Mission Is Personal. Her personal mission? “Apply my skill and talent to improve the lives of individuals and better my community—with humility, grace, and humor.”
This episode is a timely reflection on how leadership can — and must — build opportunity, trust, and belonging in an age of change.
I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Matt Daily, Assistant VP & Dean of Students at Idaho State University, for an inspiring conversation on first-generation student success.
We unpack the difference between belonging vs. mattering, explore how identity shapes the student journey, and discuss practical ways colleges can create spaces where students don’t just fit in—they know they matter.
This is a must-listen for higher ed leaders, practitioners, and anyone passionate about student success.
🎙️ Episode 28 of Discovering Your Mission w/ Dr. Mordecai is live—and it’s a masterclass in authentic leadership.
Meet Dr. Anthony Cruz, President of Milwaukee Area Technical College. A first-generation college student who turned personal experience into purpose, Dr. Cruz now leads one of the nation’s most diverse technical colleges with vision, courage, and heart.
💡 In this episode, you’ll discover:
✅ How being first-gen shaped Dr. Cruz’s lifelong commitment to student belonging and success ✅ What it really takes to make the leap from reporting to a chancellor or president to leading your own board ✅ His bold five-year vision for MATC—centered on enrollment, economic mobility, and breaking cycles of poverty in Milwaukee ✅ Why digital presence and authenticity are essential leadership strategies in today’s higher ed landscape ✅ How a paddle and a pickleball court keep him grounded and connected beyond the office
At the core of it all? Dr. Cruz’s simple yet powerful mission: to change lives through education.
🎧 Tune in to hear how one leader is shaping futures, building trust, and reminding us why authentic leadership matters more than ever.
Episode 27 of Discovering Your Mission w/ Dr. Mordecai is live—and this conversation is one of the most inspiring we’ve ever shared.
Meet Diane M. Simard, a breast cancer survivor who transformed her trauma into purpose. From the corporate boardroom to founding the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (COPE), Diane has made it her mission to address the mental health crisis facing cancer patients and survivors.
In this powerful episode, Diane opens up about: 💡 What it means to become “Diane 2.0” 💡 How cancer became her “unlikely gift” 💡 The hidden psychological impact of facing mortality 💡 Why emotional wellness should be part of every workplace 💡 Her message for anyone going through adversity
Her story will move you to see your own challenges through a new lens of healing, courage, and hope.
🎙️ Episode 26 of Discovering Your Mission w/ Dr. Mordecai is now live!
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Tonjua Williams, the first African American and female president of St. Petersburg College—a trailblazer whose leadership has transformed lives and communities across Florida.
Dr. Williams shares her incredible journey, from overcoming adversity to leading one of the nation’s most impactful community colleges. With nearly four decades of experience, she offers unmatched insight on what it means to lead with integrity, accountability, courage, and compassion.
In this episode, we dive into:
✅ The power of representation and resilience in leadership
✅ Her mission to break cycles of poverty and build generational change
✅ Advice for aspiring college presidents and bold changemakers
✅ Transformative programs for underrepresented students
✅ Why courage and compassion must walk hand in hand in leadership
From national recognition to community transformation, Dr. Williams is a force for good—and her story will inspire you to lead with purpose, no matter the obstacles.
🎧 Tune in to Episode 26 and discover what it truly means to lead with heart and transform through hope.
In this conversation, Dr. Mordecai interviews Erika Liodice, the executive director of AFIT, discussing her mission to empower changemakers in higher education. Erika shares her professional journey from marketing to leading AFIT, emphasizing the importance of accessible innovation, collaboration, and listening to the needs of educators. She offers valuable insights on navigating challenges in the education sector, the significance of infusing joy into work, and overcoming creative blocks. The discussion concludes with Erika's excitement for the future of AFIT and the collaborative opportunities ahead.
🎙️ New Episode of Discovering Your Mission w/ Dr. Mordecai!
In Episode 23, I have the distinct honor of learning from a dynamic leader in higher education—Dr. Irvin T. Clark III, President of Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC). 🔧📚
With over two decades of impact in student success, workforce development, and economic mobility, Dr. Clark is redefining what it means to lead in the technical college space. His leadership is a testament to the transformative power of education aligned with industry.
In this episode, we explore: ✅ Dr. Clark’s inspiring journey through multiple leadership roles across the country ✅ The evolving role of technical colleges in driving workforce innovation ✅ How SCTC is aligning academic programs with real-time labor market demands ✅ The power of public-private partnerships and employer engagement ✅ Strategies for student retention, upskilling, and economic resilience ✅ Dr. Clark’s vision for equitable access and community transformation
Dr. Clark shares a powerful message on purpose-driven leadership, the importance of economic opportunity, and how technical education is the engine driving today’s skilled workforce. His work is building bridges between classrooms and careers—ensuring students don’t just graduate, but thrive.
In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Mordecai speaks with Kathryn Goetzke, the Chief Hope Officer of The Shine Company, about her journey in promoting hope as a vital component of mental health. Kathryn shares her personal experiences with loss and hopelessness, leading her to create programs that teach individuals how to cultivate hope.
They discuss the importance of understanding hopelessness, the misconceptions surrounding hope, and the need for hope education in schools. Kathryn emphasizes that hope is measurable, teachable, and essential for emotional well-being, and she outlines her mission to equip everyone with the skills to find their way back to hope.
In this episode of Discovering Your Mission, Dr. Mordecai interviews Dr. Solomon-Fernández, President of Urban College of Boston. They discuss the mission of Urban College, the importance of diversity, and Dr. Solomon-Fernández's journey to leadership.
She shares insights on navigating challenges, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the future of higher education. Dr. Solomon-Fernández emphasizes the need for cultural dexterity and self-awareness in leadership and the importance of personal well-being and community support. She concludes with her personal mission statement focused on helping others discover their agency.
In this conversation, Dr. Mordecai speaks with Julie Golder, Vice President of Search Services for the Association of Community College Trustees. They discuss Julie's unique journey into higher education, the evolving landscape of leadership in community colleges, the importance of organizational culture, and the qualities needed for today's leaders.
Julie emphasizes resilience in the executive search process and foresees significant trends, including the impact of AI and the necessity of emotional intelligence in leadership. She concludes with her personal mission statement, highlighting the values of hard work and kindness.
