CCA President Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee Appointed to HACU Governing Board

AURORA, Colo. — Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee, President of the Community College of Aurora (CCA), has been appointed to the Governing Board of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Dr. Brownlee is one of four new members confirmed during HACU’s annual conference, held in Aurora earlier this November.

Dr. Brownlee will join an esteemed group of higher education leaders nationwide to guide HACU’s mission of advancing success for Hispanic/Latinx students in higher education.

HACU represents over 500 colleges and universities across the United States, Latin America, and Spain. It is the only national association dedicated to supporting existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

As a federally designated HSI, CCA exceeds the required 25% threshold for Hispanic undergraduate enrollment, with 33.4% of its student body identifying as Hispanic/Latinx. This growing demographic reflects the population of Aurora and the institution’s ongoing commitment to fostering equitable access and success in higher education.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed to the Governing Board of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, especially during a time of remarkable growth in both HSI and emerging HSI institutions in Colorado,” said Dr. Brownlee. “With over a third of CCA students identifying as Hispanic/Latino/Latinx learners, our commitment to advancing ‘servingness’ transcends any single group—it is about fostering success for all students. This mission is transformative, and I am proud to contribute to HACU’s critical work in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for higher education.”

HACU Governing Board members serve two-year terms with the opportunity for re-election. Juan S. Muñoz, Ph.D., Chancellor of the University of California, Merced, will serve as the new chair of the board.

“The addition of new board members, including President Mordecai Brownlee, President Mark Milliron, Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda, and President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, brings diverse and wide-ranging experience that deepens HACU’s ability to address the challenges and opportunities in educating the future workforce,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores.

HACU 2024-25 Governing Board Members:

Chair – Juan S. Muñoz, Ph.D., Chancellor, University of California, Merced
Immediate Past Chair – Mike Flores, Ph.D., Chancellor, Alamo Colleges District
Vice Chair – Daniel López, Ph.D., President, Harold Washington College
Secretary – Irma Becerra, Ph.D., President, Marymount University
Treasurer – Emma Grace Hernández Flores, Ph.D., President, Universidad de Iberoamérica
Ted Alejandre, Superintendent, San Bernardino County Schools
Mordecai I. Brownlee, Ed.D., President, Community College of Aurora
Abel Antonio Chávez, Ph.D., President, Our Lady of the Lake University
Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D., President, California State University, Fresno
Cynthia K. Larive, Ph.D., Chancellor, University of California, Santa Cruz
Gary May, Ph.D., Chancellor, University of California, Davis
Margaret McMenamin, Ed.D., President, Union College
Mark Milliron, Ph.D., President, National University
Marie Lynn Miranda, Ph.D., Chancellor, University of Illinois Chicago
Brad Mortensen, Ph.D., President, Weber State University
Greg Peterson, Ed.D., President, Salt Lake Community College
Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., President, Manhattanville University
Luke Visconti, Chairman and Founder, Fair360, LLC

About HACU

Founded in 1986, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities represents over 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, and Spain, as well as U.S. school districts. HACU is the only national organization representing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and emerging HSIs. The association is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with additional offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, California, and Chicago, Illinois.