Dr. Mordecai Named 2026 Changemaker of the Year by "Colorado Youth For A Change"
Brand New Episode of "Discovering Your Mission" Now Available
What does it take for community colleges to remain relevant in a changing world? In this episode of “Discovering Your Mission”, Dr. Mordecai sits down with Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor of San Jacinto College in Texas, to explore how listening to communities, strengthening workforce partnerships, and creating a sense of belonging can expand opportunity.
From her unexpected journey into higher education to her personal mission of helping people advance, Dr. Hellyer shares insights for anyone seeking to lead with purpose. Watch our conversation and consider how your leadership can help others see new possibilities for their future.
Celebrating 20 Years of Marriage
My bride and I took the opportunity to celebrate our 20 years of marriage in Breckenridge this weekend with our children.
I am so grateful I met her 24 years ago in our community college cafe. Love you, Daphne.
Miles With Mordecai Campaign Kicks off in October!
This October, I’m returning to the High Line Canal to walk all 71 miles—because an unexpected hardship should never force a student to abandon the future they are working so hard to build.
Miles with Mordecai began as a walk, but it has become a Community College of Aurora tradition rooted in action, community, and an enduring commitment to our students.
Every mile honors those balancing college with jobs, families, and responsibilities while pursuing a better future. When food insecurity, housing instability, medical emergencies, or other unforeseen challenges threaten their progress, CCA’s Student Emergency Assistance Fund provides critical support to help them stay the course.
Together, let’s raise $40,000 and go the distance for student success.
Join me on the trail.
Make a gift to support CCA students.
Learn more: https://www.ccaurora.edu/miles
Every mile matters. Every gift matters. Every student matters.
Mordecai Brownlee named CSU vice president for Denver metro engagement and executive director of CSU Spur
With a grateful and humble heart, I am honored to share that I will be joining Colorado State University as Vice President for Denver Metro Engagement and Executive Director of CSU Spur.
Serving the Community College of Aurora as its sixth President has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am now deeply honored to have been entrusted with this opportunity to serve CSU and CSU Spur under the leadership of President Amy Parsons.
To the communities across Colorado, thank you for trusting me to help advance postsecondary education and opportunity throughout our state and beyond. I remain humbled by the privilege to serve. My new role begins January 1, 2027.
Read the announcement here: https://source.colostate.edu/mordecai-brownlee-named-csu-vice-president-for-denver-metro-engagement-and-executive-director-of-csu-spur/
President Mordecai Brownlee to Conclude More Than Five Years of Leadership at CCA
After more than five years of leadership, President Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee will conclude his presidency at the Community College of Aurora in December 2026.
Since joining CCA in 2021, Dr. Brownlee has helped lead a period of significant growth, expanded opportunities for students, and strengthened CCA’s role throughout the communities we serve.
The Community College of Aurora is grateful for his leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to our students.
Read the full announcement: https://ccaurora.edu/news-press/press-release/brownlee-concludes-presidency
New Article Published I Community College Daily
Five years into the community college presidency, Dr. Mordecai is reflecting on what leadership has taught him beyond the title.
In his latest column for “Community College Daily”, Dr. Mordecai shares five lessons shaped by the realities of executive leadership: respond at the speed the situation requires, resist the temptation to compare your journey to others, recognize that a therapist can be just as important as an executive coach, lead the community you actually serve, and remember that this too shall pass.
Drawing upon his own journey from a community college student working overnight jobs to becoming a college president, President Brownlee offers a candid reflection on identity, mental health, stewardship, perspective, and the responsibility leaders carry for the people and communities entrusted to them.
At its core, the article asks leaders to consider a deeper measure of success: not simply how high they rise, how long they remain, or how much recognition they receive, but how faithfully they steward the season they have been given, how many lives are better because they served, and whether they can eventually walk away from the title without losing themselves while carrying it.
For presidents, aspiring executives, trustees, and leaders at every stage of their journey, “Beyond the Title: Five Lessons From Five Years as a Community College President” invites you to reflect on what truly matters in leadership—and in life.
Read the full article in Community College Daily:
https://www.ccdaily.com/2026/08/beyond-the-title-five-lessons-from-five-years-as-a-community-college-president/
Fitzsimons Credit Union Gift Expands Free School Supplies for Community College of Aurora Students
Dr. Mordecai Brownlee is grateful to Fitzsimons Credit Union for its generous $4,500 investment in the new Fitzsimons Credit Union Success Station at the Community College of Aurora. Through this partnership, students now have expanded access to free school supplies across all three CCA campuses, helping remove one more barrier that can stand between a student and their goals.
This is what strong community partnership looks like: identifying a need, responding with purpose, and investing directly in student success.
Dr. Brownlee extends his appreciation to Fitzsimons Credit Union, the Community College of Aurora Foundation, and CCA’s Student Success team for continuing to build an environment where students are supported, valued, and equipped to succeed.
When barriers are removed, greater opportunity becomes possible.
Honorary Commander of Buckley Space Force Base Delta 2
It continues to be such an honor to serve as Honorary Commander of Buckley Space Force Base.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of having lunch with Colonel Jennifer A. McGinniss, Deputy Commander of Space Base Delta 2. We discussed everything from lessons learned as parents to settling into Aurora, lessons learned so far in our journey, and her administration's community engagement strategy.
Remarkably, Col. McGinniss oversees a 1,020-member team providing Base Operating Support to more than 800 military, Department of War civilians, and contractor personnel serving at 14 operating locations worldwide, executing critical United States Space Force Missile Warning and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions.
Thank you to all those who serve and defend our country, and to the families of our service members.
Back to School - Foxy's Fest
Yesterday’s “Foxy’s Fest” at the Community College of Aurora was a grand success!!!
Thank you to our Student Success Division for coordinating such an engaging and informative event. Also, thank you to our community partners, like the Aurora Police Department and District Credit Union, for supporting CCA.
Reflection Time With My Son
Just had a great workout with my son this morning. Today, our conversation centered on the importance and strength of self-awareness.
May we all develop deeper self-awareness and make adjustments accordingly. Thank you to everyone for your kind words and birthday wishes yesterday.
God Bless.
CCA Celebrates English Language Learners Through Gaylord Rockies Partnership
The Community College of Aurora recently celebrated the graduation of its second and third English as a Second Language cohorts offered through the college’s Corporate College partnership with Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.
Over the course of 10 weeks, participating employees strengthened their English language skills while continuing to grow personally and professionally. The program reflects CCA’s broader commitment to creating responsive workforce education opportunities that meet learners where they are and help employers invest directly in the development of their teams.
Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, President of the Community College of Aurora, joined the celebration and recognized the determination and commitment demonstrated by the graduating learners.
The program also honored Patricia Shaw with the Outstanding Educator Award. Shaw has served as an instructor for the program and was recognized for her dedication, leadership, and impact in the classroom.
The partnership with Gaylord Rockies represents the type of employer collaboration at the center of CCA’s Corporate College model, connecting education with the evolving needs of the workforce while creating accessible opportunities for employees to build skills and pursue greater economic mobility.
Dr. Brownlee expressed appreciation to Gaylord Rockies for its continued partnership and investment in its employees and congratulated the graduates on reaching this important milestone.
The celebration marked not only the completion of 10 weeks of learning, but another example of what can be accomplished when colleges and employers work together to expand opportunity and invest in people.
From Vision to Impact: What a Difference a Year Can Make
What a difference a year can make.
Last year, the Community College of Aurora participated in the Alliance for Innovation and Transformation Summer Institute with an idea: to build a Corporate College that could expand how we serve employers, strengthen workforce partnerships, and create new opportunities for our community.
One year later, that idea has become impact.
Today, the CCA Corporate College has grown into a six figure diversified revenue stream for the college, demonstrating what is possible when institutions create space for innovation, move intentionally from ideation to implementation, and remain responsive to the evolving needs of the workforce.
Now, we are back at the AFIT Summer Institute.
This time, members of our academic academy and staff are working together to take the Corporate College into its next phase. Our focus is not simply on expanding programs. We are building the systems, partnerships, and infrastructure necessary to become even more responsive to employers, learners, and the economic needs of the communities we serve.
I am incredibly grateful for the CCA team members who continue to bring their expertise, creativity, and commitment to this work. Transformation does not happen because of one person or one idea. It happens when talented people come together around a shared mission and are willing to build.
For higher education leaders who have an idea they believe could transform their institution but are searching for the structure, community, and support to move from vision to execution, AFIT is worth exploring.
Learn more about the Alliance for Innovation and Transformation: www.afithighered.com
Turning Points: Designing Colleges That Say “Yes” to Students
In Episode 40 of Discovering Your Mission with Dr. Mordecai, Dr. Mordecai sits down with Dr. Linda Garcia, Executive Director of the Center for Community College Student Engagement.
Together, Dr. Mordecai and Dr. Garcia explore what students are truly asking of today’s community colleges. Their conversation examines the importance of connection, the power of student voice, and why institutions must move beyond caring for students in theory and begin demonstrating that care through intentional design.
The conversation also challenges colleges to stop expecting students to navigate complicated systems on their own. Dr. Garcia explains that students do not experience institutions through organizational charts or strategic plans. They experience registration, advising, financial aid, classrooms, websites, policies, and whether someone notices when they are no longer present.
Dr. Garcia also shares how mentors, family sacrifice, and unexpected opportunities created defining turning points in her own journey. She discusses what she calls “intrusive mentoring,” the importance of viewing student data as a gift, and why community colleges must continue to be places that say “yes” to students and expand what they believe is possible.
Watch the full 40th episode of Discovering Your Mission with Dr. Mordecai featuring Dr. Linda Garcia and discover how community colleges can create stronger connections, redesign the student experience, challenge institutional assumptions, and help more students move from the start line to the finish line.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/2XLU_Gvq_CE
Back to School Event - Aurora Public Schools
