Photo by PHILIP B. POSTON/Sentinel Colorado
AURORA | Mordecai Brownlee, president of the Community College of Aurora, was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Board of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.
Brownlee is the sole representative from Colorado among 23 college presidents selected nationwide for this prestigious role, according to CCA officials.
“This is not just a recognition but an opportunity to contribute to a cause that uplifts and empowers students,” Brownlee said in a statement. “It is truly the honor of a lifetime, and I am committed to making a meaningful impact.”
Phi Theta Kappa, the leading honor society for students at associate-degree-granting institutions, supports academic excellence and leadership development. As a board member, Brownlee will help shape the organization’s strategic direction and advocate for Phi Theta Kappa’s mission of promoting student achievement and leadership opportunities.
“Phi Theta Kappa is at its best when we go beyond recognition and provide students with opportunities to make the most of their college experience,” Dr. Lynn Tincher Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “We would not be able to achieve this without the contributions and support of community college leaders like Dr. Mordecai Brownlee.”
Under Brownlee’s tenure, CCA has logged several milestones, including launching its first capital project and school of nursing, record-breaking fundraising efforts and a 20% increase in student completion rates, according to a CCA statement
He also oversaw hiring the college’s most diverse faculty to date.
Brownlee was appointed CCA president in 2021, and is the college’s sixth president.
In addition to his role at the college, Brownlee contributes to national educational discourse as a columnist for Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and EdSurge, and teaches at Lamar University.
Phi Theta Kappa has more than 4.3 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 230,000 active members across the U.S, according to a statement.