Sept. 1, 2026
Aurora, Colo. – Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee, the sixth president of the Community College of Aurora (CCA), announced today that he will conclude his presidency in December 2026, following more than five years of leadership at the college.
Brownlee joined CCA in July 2021 as the college and its communities were emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure, CCA has experienced four consecutive years of record enrollment and four consecutive years of record completions while expanding academic programs, workforce partnerships, student supports and the college’s physical presence throughout the region.
Serving as President of the Community College of Aurora has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life,
Brownlee said. For more than five years, I have had the privilege of serving alongside extraordinary students, faculty, staff, community partners, and colleagues throughout the Colorado Community College System who believe deeply in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen communities. I am profoundly grateful for the trust placed in me to lead CCA, immensely proud of what our college community has accomplished together, and confident that CCA’s greatest contributions to Aurora, Colorado, and the students we serve are still ahead. I will carry tremendous gratitude for this institution, this System, and the people who make their missions possible.
Dr. Brownlee has provided extraordinary leadership to CCA and has made a lasting impact on the college, the Aurora community, and our entire System,
said CCCS Chancellor Dr. Marielena DeSanctis. His passion for students, belief in the transformative power of education, and ability to bring people together around a shared vision have defined his presidency. He has also been an exceptional colleague and deeply valued member of our System leadership team. I have tremendous respect and gratitude for his leadership and for the many ways he has strengthened both CCA and CCCS.
Under Brownlee’s leadership, CCA expanded its academic portfolio to create new pathways into high-wage, in-demand careers and greater economic mobility for students. Among those efforts were the development of new bachelor’s degree opportunities, including pathways in behavioral health and education, as well as expanded workforce education and employer-connected learning opportunities designed to create stronger connections between education, employment and economic mobility.
The college also expanded its regional footprint and learning environments during Brownlee’s presidency. CCA completed its first capital project in more than 20 years, expanded its presence through the Centennial Campus for Healthcare and First Responders, invested in Lowry Studios and Cinematic Arts, and opened the Center for Applied Science and Technology to support education and training connected to high-demand careers.
Brownlee also led efforts to strengthen CCA’s role as a workforce and community partner. The creation and growth of CCA’s Corporate College expanded the college’s ability to develop customized education and training solutions alongside employers and organizations, including Denver International Airport (DEN), the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Commerce City and Philip Morris International. CCA also strengthened relationships with K-12 school districts, municipalities, economic development organizations, community-based organizations, philanthropic partners and industry leaders throughout Aurora, Commerce City and the Denver metropolitan region.
Access and affordability also remained central to the college’s work. Initiatives such as the Commerce City Promise expanded educational opportunities for students, while investments in student support services, including the Wellness Den, reflected a broader effort to address the academic and personal needs that influence a student’s ability to persist and complete.
CCA also experienced record-breaking fundraising during Brownlee’s tenure, including more than $1.3 million in scholarships awarded to students through the CCA Foundation in the past year.
For Brownlee, those milestones collectively represent a college that has become more connected to its communities, responsive to regional needs and confident in the role a community college can play in shaping educational and economic opportunity.
CCA is a more confident, more externally connected, and more strategically focused institution today,
Brownlee said. CCA is increasingly recognized not simply as a place where students take classes, but as an economic mobility institution, a workforce development partner, a community anchor, and an important contributor to the future of Aurora and the greater Denver metropolitan region.
A Legacy Centered on Students and Service
Throughout his presidency, Brownlee has emphasized that CCA’s institutional progress is ultimately measured by the opportunities created for students. He has described the college’s work as one of removing barriers and creating more pathways through which students can change the trajectory of their lives.
Brownlee credits CCA’s students, faculty and staff with shaping his own leadership during his presidency. He has pointed to the perseverance of students balancing education with jobs, families, financial pressures and other responsibilities, as well as the commitment of employees who believe in education’s ability to change lives.
As CCA prepares for the leadership transition, Brownlee said his confidence in the institution’s future rests with the people who make up the college community and the momentum they have built together.
The strength of this institution has never rested with one individual, and it does not today,
Brownlee said. My message to the CCA community is simple: remain focused on the students. Nurture the culture of possibility that has been built here. Continue thinking boldly about what this institution can become. And continue taking care of one another.
Dr. Mordecai Brownlee will continue serving as president through December, dedicating the remainder of his tenure to serving CCA, supporting employees, advancing the college’s strategic priorities, and positioning the institution for continued success.
Additional information regarding CCA’s presidential transition will be shared by the Colorado Community College System as it becomes available.
About the Community College of Aurora
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora, Centennial, and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on three campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
Contact
Courtney Butler
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]