Dr. Mordecai Named NASPA Pillar of the Profession

Aurora, Colo. – The Community College of Aurora is pleased to announce that President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee has been named as one of this year’s Pillars of Profession by the NASPA Foundation for his leadership, commitment, and dedication to the advancement of student success in higher education.

The title is awarded to multiple individuals each year by the NASPA Foundation at its annual conference. NASPA recognizes educational professionals who have served as leaders, teachers, and scholars in student affairs and higher education and who have demonstrated several qualities, including:

• Having provided significant service to NASPA through regional and national leadership roles within the Association;

• and Have created a lasting impact on the institution(s)/organization(s) at which they have worked, leaving a legacy of extraordinary service recognized by a cross-section of institutional/organizational stakeholders;

• and Have demonstrated sustained, lifetime professional distinction in the field of student affairs and higher education.

Dr. Brownlee expressed his gratitude for winning the award, saying, “I am deeply honored and humbled to be named a NASPA Pillar of the Profession. For years, NASPA has served as my professional home – aiding in advancing my skills and acumen to serve in the equitable educational attainment and care of students from all around the world. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the NASPA Foundation for this acknowledgment. It strengthens my commitment to advancing student success and fostering a transformative educational experience for all.”

Dr. Brownlee was enthusiastically nominated by his fellow educators, who cited his leadership qualities, commitment to educational excellence, and pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion, among other reasons.

“Since coming under Dr. Brownlee’s leadership in 2021 at the Community College of Aurora, I have felt inspired and hopeful about the future of higher education in providing opportunities to advance the social and economic mobility for our students and their families,” said Senior Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Student Success, Dra. Reyna Anaya.

“His approach to student success is beyond his years, which has led to positive and transformative change at our college. I am grateful for leaders like Dr. Brownlee, who have paved the way for individuals like me in student affairs and executive leadership, and I wanted him to know that I, our CCA team, and many others appreciate the dedication and service he has provided to the field of student affairs. His acceptance as a NASPA Pillar of the Profession is long overdue, and I’m excited to celebrate him and his accomplishments throughout the year.”

Following the award, members of the NASPA Foundation Board will work with the awardees and their lead nominator to pursue a fundraising goal of $3,500 to further research and scholarship in student affairs.

Dr. Brownlee joins 19 other educators from around the country in receiving the accolade for 2025. The NASPA Foundation has been recognizing leaders in education since 1999, and the award is one of NASPA’s highest honors.

Donations to the NASPA Foundation can be made here: https://naspa.org/about/naspa-foundation/foundation-pillars-of-the-profession

Dr. Mordecai Joins Colorado Business Roundtable Board of Directors

From Colorado Business Roundtable (https://www.cobrt.com/)

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, President of the Community College of Aurora, to COBRT's Board of Directors to represent the Colorado Community College System! Under Dr. Brownlee’s visionary leadership, CCA has launched its first capital project in 24 years, developed a nursing school, and increased student completions by over 20%.

His expertise in higher education and workforce development will be invaluable to our mission of driving innovation and opportunity across Colorado.

As student hunger persists at colleges, higher education tries out providing free food

At Community College of Aurora, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed. That's why we're dedicated to removing barriers that stand in the way of our students' achievements. Food insecurity is a real challenge that too many of our students face daily. We are committed to addressing this and other obstacles that prevent our students from thriving academically and personally.

Chalkbeat Colorado News Link Here: https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2024/09/09/college-student-hunger-food-insecurity-pushes-schools-universities-to-act/

Building Schedule for CCA's Center for STEM, Power Mechanics, and Applied Technologies Remains on Schedule!

The final beam has been installed in our Center for STEM, Power Mechanics, & Applied Technologies at the Community College of Aurora!!! Thank you Hausmann Construction, BVH, and NV5

Celebrating a Major Victory for Colorado’s Higher Education Future!

This week, Dr. Mordecai was honored to represent the Community College of Aurora and the Colorado Community College System at the state capital. Thanks to the Colorado General Assembly, the dedicated faculty and staff, community partners, lobbyists, and everyone who advocated for this vital legislation, Colorado House Bill 24B-1001 passed.

This victory is more than just a win for our colleges—it’s a win for every student, family, and community that benefits from the opportunities and economic mobility provided by CCCS institutions.

Testifying at the Capitol today for Special Session

Chancellor Joe Garcia, the Colorado Community College System, and CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee joined higher education leadership at the Capitol today for the Special Session to testify in support of critical property tax legislation aimed at safeguarding Colorado’s higher education funding. Their powerful advocacy highlighted the urgent need to protect our students’ futures and ensure that community colleges remain accessible and affordable for all.

Partnerships For Success: CCA Hosts Discussion on Creating Access to Underserved Populations

Community College of Aurora (CCA) President, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee joined a group of esteemed panelists on Friday in a spirited discussion of helping underserved communities access high-quality education through resources such as the General Education Development (GED).

The event titled “Partnerships for Success: The Future of Work” was hosted jointly by CCA and the City of Aurora’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs. The group focused on communities such as non-English speaking people who may not have equitable access to not only education, but also food resources, transportation, financial assistance, technology and more. Panelists work in a variety of industries, including education, non-profit, and consultation.

Dr. Brownlee placed a special focus on the economic barriers underserved communities face, saying industry and education need to address needs such as food insecurity, high cost of living, and infrastructure. Dr. Brownlee said, for example, online education is not accessible for Aurora’s surrounding rural communities when there is a lack of internet resources in those areas.

“What good is online education, if you have no place to plug in your laptop,” Dr. Brownlee said. “We have to figure out collectively, how do we educate our underrepresented communities on what institutions they can choose for themselves that are not predatory in nature.” Dr. Brownlee said too often, for-profit institutions prey on prospective students, and it’s the role of higher education institutions to educate people on where to find legitimate academic institutions.

Speakers also shared strategies they use to address these needs. Dr. Brownlee said CCA addresses hunger needs through partnerships with food providers, and is working through ways to ensure its student population has access to vital resources.

Community College of Aurora Beam Signing Event

This was another historic week for the Community College of Aurora, as we held a beam signing event for our new Center for STEM, Power Mechanics, and Applied Technologies. Thank you to Hausman Construction, BVH, NV5, Oakwood Homes (BuildStrong Academy), Wagner Equipment, TransWest, and CIVITAS for your trust and partnership.

Another thank you to the State of Colorado, Arapahoe County Commissioners, Congressman Jason Crow, donors, and many elected and appointed officials for your financial support. CCA appreciates each of you!

Community College of Aurora President's Quarterly Update

It is time for the Community College of Aurora President's Quarterly update!!! This episode includes information about the construction of our new Center for STEM, Power Mechanics, and Applied Technology, progress updates on critical campus capital projects, summer and fall enrollment, HLC accreditation reaffirmation, and the development of CCA's anticipated third location.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF AURORA RECEIVES ACCREDITATION REAFFIRMATION FROM HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION

Dr. Brownlee said, “We are thrilled to announce that the Community College of Aurora has been reaffirmed for accreditation for the next ten years, marking a testament to our unwavering commitment to our excellence in education. This achievement results from the dedication and hard work of our exceptional faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders who continually strive for greatness. Together, we celebrate this milestone and reaffirm our collective dedication to providing quality educational pathways, supporting our local workforce, and advancing economic mobility.”

To read the official press release, click here.

Pride Month and beyond

“The Community College of Aurora is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that ensures every student, including our students who identify as LGBTQ+ are valued, respected and supported,” says Dr. Mordecai. “Through this commitment to inclusion, we empower all learners to achieve their full potential and discover their purpose, fostering a sense of belonging and community that enhances the educational experience for everyone.”

To read more, please click here.

Leadership Aurora Graduation

Earlier this week, Dr. Mordecai became a graduate of the 40th Class of Leadership Aurora. To learn more about this program offered by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, please visit: https://www.aurorachamber.org/leadership-aurora/

Dr. Mordecai Named one of the top higher education presidents on social media for 2023

ED Marketing Agency recognized Dr. Mordecai as one of the top higher education presidents on social media. To read more, please click here.

CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee Represents CCCS on Workforce Development Panel

“It took some investing in me to see the value in myself,” he told an audience of over 100 business, government, and education leaders. “I think all of us have the responsibility to bring those opportunities to others.”

His comments were part of a panel hosted by the Colorado Business Roundtable, a public policy organization bringing together executives from Colorado’s largest employers. Joined by the presidents of Colorado State University (CSU), Colorado Mesa University, and University of Northern Colorado (UNC), Dr. Brownlee shared strategies to get more Coloradans into the workforce. To read more, click here.

Congressman Crow Delivers $850K for Community College of Aurora’s New Center for STEM, Power Mechanics and Applied Technologies

On Monday, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) joined President of Community College of Aurora (CCA) Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, CCA Vice President of Academic Success Dr. Bobby Pace, industry partners, educators and students to present $850,000 to construct Community College of Aurora’s new Center for STEM, Power Mechanics and Applied Technologies. Currently under construction and scheduled to be completed by fall of 2025. Read the official press release here.

Embracing Change: Crafting Forward-Thinking Strategic Plans for Colleges in a Dynamic Society

To read Dr. Mordecai’s latest article published by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, please visit: https://www.diverseeducation.com/opinion/article/15667472/embracing-change-crafting-forwardthinking-strategic-plans-for-colleges-in-a-dynamic-society

CBS News: Community College of Aurora receives congressional funding for STEM center in Colorado

To view this CBS news story, please visit https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/community-college-aurora-receives-congressional-funding-stem-center/.

Colorado Community College System Listening Tour

The Community College of Aurora was honored to recently host the Colorado Community College System for the second stop of its Listening Tour. This intentional experience provides inclusive feedback for our students, faculty, instructors, staff, and community leaders to inform the system's next five-year strategic plan. Thanks to Chancellor Joe Garcia and Board Chair Landon Mascareñaz for their leadership.

The Aaron Harber Show

Don't miss our 2-part series featuring Executive Director Angie Paccione (Ph.D., former Colorado State Representative, Global Business Consultant, and Professional Basketball Player) and Dr. Mordecai Brownlee (President of the Community College of Aurora, Aurora Chamber of Commerce Community Leader of the Year, U.S. Department of Education Unlocking Career Success Initiative “Champion,” and Member of the Global Community College Leadership Network).

The discussion will focus on disclosing new opportunities in Higher Education, as well as the upcoming challenges facing colleges and universities.

Part One will broadcast at 9:00 PM this Friday, February 23rd.

Part Two will broadcast at 9:00 PM on Friday, March 1st.

Exclusively on PBS 12 (www.https://www.pbs12.org/)

Dr. Mordecai Receives Phi Theta Kappa Award for New Presidents

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) will recognize 24 college presidents with the Paragon Award for New Presidents during PTK Catalyst 2024, the Society’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida, April 4-6, 2024.

To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs are new in their role having served less than 3 years. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once.

The award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus.

“These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and made it a priority to support student success both inside and outside the classroom,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “This award is special because it comes directly from the students. Read more at www.PTK.org