Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee, President of the Community College of Aurora, recently served as keynote speaker for the Third Annual Future Leaders Summit hosted by Tarleton State University at its Fort Worth campus.
The summit brought together high school students from across the Dallas and Fort Worth region for a day centered on leadership development, purpose discovery, and the transformative power of higher education. In his keynote address, Dr. Brownlee challenged students to think beyond titles and accolades, emphasizing that character, discipline, and clarity of vision must be cultivated long before opportunity presents itself.
Drawing from his own leadership journey, Dr. Brownlee encouraged students to define success on their own terms, remain resilient in the face of adversity, and steward their gifts in service to others. He underscored the importance of access, mentorship, and exposure in expanding what young people believe is possible for their futures.
Dr. Brownlee expressed sincere gratitude to President James Hurley and the Division of Global, Community & First-Gen Initiatives for the invitation and for their steadfast commitment to creating meaningful pathways to higher education across Texas.
“Institutions change lives when they intentionally create spaces where young people can see themselves as future leaders,” Dr. Brownlee shared. “When belief is nurtured early, possibility expands.”
The Future Leaders Summit reflects Tarleton State University’s ongoing investment in regional access, student success, and the development of the next generation of leaders across the Dallas–Fort Worth community.
