President Brownlee Meets With Commerce City (Colorado) Mayor Pro-Tem
This week, Dr. Mordecai met with Jennifer Allen-Thomas, Mayor Pro Tem of Commerce City, Colorado. Remarkably, her father was the first African American male elected to city council, and she is the first African American female elected. Living history indeed!
Dr. Mordecai Meets to Delegation From Senegal
Recently, the Community College of Aurora was honored to host a delegation of educators, executives, and community leaders from Senegal. Thank you to Papa Dia (Founder and President of African Leadership Group), Becky Hogan (Former First Lady of Aurora, Colorado & Community Leader), and Madiama Mbaye for facilitating yesterday’s dialogue.
Dr. Mordecai Sits Down With New Aurora Public School Superintendent Michael Giles
Recently, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee had an amazing sit down with the new Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Michael Giles Jr. The future of Aurora's K-12 to higher education pathway is BRIGHT! APS and the Community College of Aurora are bound to accomplish great things together. Let's go, Aurora!
Community College of Aurora Hosts U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona
Pictured from left to right: Colorado Community College System Chancellor Joe Garcia, Secretary Miguel Cardona, and Dr. Mordecai Brownlee
Read more about the Unlocking Pathways Summit Hosted by the Community College of Aurora Here: https://ccaurora.edu/news-press/cca-news/cca-hosts-summit-geared-toward-finding-students-jobs-after-college/
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
Dr. Mordecai Keynotes Parents to Work Accomplishment Ceremony.
Last night, Dr. Mordecai had the honor of representing the Community College of Aurora as the keynote speaker at the Arapahoe County Government Child Support Services and Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Parents to Work Accomplishment Ceremony. This program focuses on addressing barriers to employment and self-sufficiency through the provision of employment, training assistance, supportive services, as well as individualized case management. Congratulations to all!
The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. Visits the Community College of Aurora
Thank you National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. Youth & Beta Psi Divisions for touring the Community College of Aurora and gifting our institution with a tree. CCA is grateful for our partnership. Learn more about NANBPWC Inc. at https://nanbpwc.org/
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/
