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/
Dr. Mordecai Discusses Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with "Bold Journey"
"Overcoming imposter syndrome in my personal journey required me to stop believing that I was not deserving of the success and opportunity afforded me. As a result, the biases and fears of others became the lens through which I viewed the world and myself. Freeing myself from those biases and fears opened the door to me realizing my own value and ultimately overcoming imposter syndrome." Read more at https://boldjourney.com/news/meet-dr-mordecai-ian-brownlee/
Colorado Sentinel - STATUS WOE: Students, community lament endless gun violence and apathy
“I feel as though an apology is necessary to the youth that are in the room,” said panelist Mordecai Brownlee, president of the Community College of Aurora. “And I want to say I’m sorry on behalf of society, for the lack of intentionality that we have shown” in addressing this issue...I believe that our youth are going to change things, I do, but we’ve got to figure out how to keep them alive so they can,” he said.
Read more at: https://sentinelcolorado.com/0trending/status-woe-students-community-lament-endless-gun-violence-and-apathy/
Colorado Sentinel - Colorado community colleges offering links to 2 HBCUs
“I think that anyone who knows the history of HBCUs and understands the significance of those institutions and why they were formed would understand that HBCUs were designed to continue the work of accessibility and opportunity to those who have been disenfranchised,” Brownlee said. “Pair that with the community college mission and our vision.”
Read more at: https://sentinelcolorado.com/news/metro/colorado-community-colleges-offering-links-to-2-hbcus/
Community College of Aurora Quarterly Update- April 2023
CCA President Mordecai Brownlee gives a quarterly update on the ongoing events and institutional successes of the college. Learn more at www.CCAurora.edu
Dr. Mordecai Participates in Roundtable Discuss With Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States of America
Yesterday, Dr. Mordecai had the honor of participating in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States of America. Care Forward Colorado has enabled the Community College of Aurora to provide more than $250,000 in tuition, fees, and supplies to students seeking careers in critical healthcare professions. As a whole, community colleges stand at the frontlines of the fight to promote equitable social and economic mobility. With the support of our national, state, and local legislators, more dreams will be realized
(Video) Amazon Funds Historic Scholarship at the Community College of Aurora
Community College of Aurora announced the Presidential Scholars Program sponsored by Amazon. Amazon contributed $70,000 to this new initiative conceptualized by CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee. To view this story, please visit: https://www.auroratv.org/video/community-college-aurora-and-amazon-announce-scholarship
Denver Business Journal Presents 40 Under 40 winner: Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee
To read this article, please visit: https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2023/03/10/40-under-40-winner-dr-mordecai-ian-brownlee.html
Dr. Mordecai Featured by Higher Education Digital Engagement Guru Dr. Josie Ahlquist
“I am a superfan of this president! He has a big heart and his hard work is evident online through his videos, podcast, XL Twitter following, and growing impact on Instagram. In person, he has a remarkable ability to connect with others - be prepared for him to really see you if you have the chance to connect. I am honored to call him a friend and mentor.” - Dr. Josie Ahlquist
Learn more at: http://www.JosieAhlquist.com
Dr. Mordecai Has Been Selected by the Denver Business Journal to Join the 40 Under 40 Class of 2023
Recently, Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee was selected by the Denver Business Journal to join the 2023 Class of 40 Under 40. At 38 years old, Mordecai is making an impact in the community through his role with the Community College of Aurora and various leadership roles in the Aurora/Centennial/Denver area. He expresses EXTREME gratitude to the Aurora Chamber of Commerce for their nomination. To read more, please visit: https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/40-under-40
Wendy Brockman From Aurora TV Interviews Dr. Mordecai
Recently, Wendy Brockman from Aurora TV sat down with Dr. Mordecai Brownlee to learn about his journey to becoming the president of the Community College of Aurora president. To view the interview, please visit: https://t.co/QMpG6vlxOb
Dr. Mordecai Featured in New Community College Daily Article
To read this article, please visit: https://www.ccdaily.com/2023/01/no-cost-strategies-to-strengthen-your-storytelling/
President Brownlee Provides Winter Quarterly Update
For more information, please visit: https://www.ccaurora.edu/president-corner
The Community College of Aurora Discusses Commitment to Equitable Student Success Amid Market Changes
To view this CBS Colorado segment reported by Tori Mason, please visit: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/video/community-college-of-aurora-cutting-certain-degree-programs/#x
Video Highlights Community College of Aurora Partnership With The Attainment Network
To watch this video, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04kn9u5Hi6Y. To learn more about The Attainment Network, visit https://attainmentnetwork.org/.
Dr. Mordecai Writes New Article!
To read Dr. Mordecai’s latest article, please visit https://www.edsurge.com/news/2022-07-26-times-have-changed-we-must-teach-children-that-words-actually-do-hurt
Colorado Community College System Features Dr. Mordecai's Panel Talking Points Regarding the Future of Colorado's Workforce
To read this feature, please visit: https://cccs.edu/cccs-news/cca-president-dr-mordecai-brownlee-talks-innovation-at-future-of-work-event/