Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee is a nationally recognized higher education leader, innovator, and thought partner who currently serves as President of the Community College of Aurora (CCA) in Colorado. With more than two decades of executive experience spanning student success, academic affairs, and external relations, Dr. Brownlee has established a reputation for transforming institutions, advancing inclusive excellence, and forging powerful partnerships that connect education to workforce and economic mobility.
Since assuming the presidency at CCA in 2021, Dr. Brownlee has guided the institution through historic growth and transformation. Under his leadership, CCA has achieved its two highest enrollment classes in history, fully reversing post-pandemic declines and delivering sustained growth in both headcount and FTE. Student completion has increased by more than 20%, course withdrawals have declined by 41%, and course repeats have dropped by 28%. These outcomes culminated in CCA’s two largest graduating cohorts, awarding more than 1,400 degrees and certificates.
Dr. Brownlee has championed the launch of high-demand programs aligned with regional workforce needs, including two new Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Elementary Education and Behavioral Health. He successfully delivered the college’s first capital project in over 20 years—the Center for STEM, Power Mechanics, and Applied Technologies (CAST)—while also leading the approval and implementation of CCA’s third campus, the Center for Health Sciences and First Responders. To date, he has secured more than $45 million in state, federal, and philanthropic investments, expanded CCA’s fund savings balance by over $20 million, and directed the college’s largest fundraising campaign, raising $18 million to expand scholarships, programs, and institutional capacity.
Prior to CCA, Dr. Brownlee served as Vice President for Student Success at St. Philip’s College in San Antonio, the only institution in the nation federally designated as both a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There, he steered the college to record enrollment and graduation milestones, co-designed and launched the AlamoPROMISE tuition-free access program, and helped secure the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. He also expanded veteran and military success initiatives by 186% in a single year, while co-managing multimillion-dollar operating, bond, and grant budgets.
Earlier in his career, he served as Senior Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, Dean of Student Life and Director of Student Leadership & Activities at Blinn College District in Texas, and in student success leadership roles at Houston Baptist University.
Dr. Brownlee’s thought leadership extends beyond the presidency. He has authored more than 50 articles and book chapters, contributes regularly to Community College Daily, and is a sought-after keynote speaker and advisor to executives nationwide. His board service includes the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the Aurora Economic Development Council, the Colorado Business Roundtable, and the Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Board.
Recognized nationally for his impact, Dr. Brownlee has been named a NASPA Pillar of the Profession, Aurora Chamber “Man of the Year,” Urban Leadership Foundation “Trailblazer,” and U.S. Department of Education “Champion” of the Unlocking Career Success Initiative.
Mission-driven and vision-focused, Dr. Brownlee is committed to building institutions that deliver access, opportunity, and transformation for every learner—while shaping the future of higher education at the local, state, and national level.
