CCA Welcomes New Esteemed Members to its Advisory Council

Aurora, CO – The Community College of Aurora (CCA) proudly announces the appointment of two highly regarded community leaders to its Advisory Council. Jonathan Woodward and Michael Giles Jr. are set to join the esteemed panel of eight members, each serving a four-year term of service.

Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, President of CCA applauded the new members as valuable assets to the Advisory Council saying, “The Community College of Aurora is immensely grateful for the willingness and excitement of so many critical community leaders volunteering their time to aid the advancement of our institutional mission. The wisdom, engagement, and resources of our advisory council ensures that CCA realizes the fulfillment of our institutional strategic plan.”

Michael Giles Jr., the 17th superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, brings a wealth of experience to the council. Having assumed his role in July, Giles boasts over two decades of service in the Cherry Creek School District, where he held various positions, including Assistant Superintendent of Equity, Culture, and Community Engagement, as well as Assistant Superintendent of Performance Improvement. 

Giles expressed his enthusiasm about his appointment, saying, “I am extremely honored to serve on the CCA Advisory Council.  Now more than ever, we are uniquely positioned to design meaningful pathways of learning and development for our youth and community.  Serving on the CCA Council provides a wonderful opportunity to collaborate and build  such pathways.” 

Jonathan Woodward, currently serving as the Director of Development for the Aurora Economic Development Council, is widely regarded as a community power broker. Woodward’s expertise in tracking daily economic development, key industry trends, and local and regional real estate knowledge is expected to play a pivotal role in CCA’s future growth.

Woodward enthusiastically embraced his new role, stating, “I am excited to serve on the CCA Advisory Council and work to connect the education leaders with the changing workforce needs of industry. With many emerging industries, this is an important time for CCA and their new STEM Building.”

This past Summer, the council added three additional members. They are Noel Bernal, Jason Batchelor and Naomi Colwell. 

Bernal serves as the Adams County Manager. CCA leadership recognized the importance of strengthening ties to Adams County, as it is one of three counties the college provides service for. The others include Arapahoe and Denver. Over the past several years, nearly 20% of CCA’s students have called Adams County home. Bernal’s vision and support will provide insight critical  to the future growth and impact of the Community College of Aurora.

Batchelor currently serves as the Interim City Manager for the City of Aurora and is slated to become the permanent City Manager later this year. He was selected for his experience and connections throughout the CCA service area. 

Colwell serves as the Executive  Director of the Aurora Police Foundation and was recently named the President/CEO of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. She is praised for her skillset of building strong business stakeholder relationships with diverse groups within the community, and will play a critical role in the evolution and advancement of CCA. 

Members of the Advisory Council collaborate closely with Dr. Brownlee and the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education to address the long-term educational needs of the community served by CCA.They also serve as liaisons between the college and local employers, facilitating assessments of employment, training, and educational needs in the area. Additionally, the council plays a vital role in promoting CCA’s programs and services within the local community.

In addition to Giles and Woodward, the 2023 council appointments include Noel Bernal, Naomi Colwell, Jason Batchelor, and Chris Smith. Su Ryden and Neil Krauss, the two longest-serving members, will conclude their terms in 2024. For a complete list of advisors, click HERE.