Impact Articles
Alumni Selected as Next President of Community College of Aurora
Alumni, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, has been selected as the next president of Community College of Aurora. Brownlee assumed the presidency on July 15, 2021. He is an inclusive educator who is committed to the intellectual and economic empowerment of diverse communities who brings an impressive resume in advancing student access, expanding student support services and empowers academic pathways at several public and private higher education institutions, including St. Philip's College in Texas, the University of Charleston in West Virginia, Blinn College District in Texas and Houston Baptist University.
Among his many accolades, Brownlee was twice awarded the Trusted Leaders Award by the faculty and staff of St. Philip's College and in 2018 received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award. EdTech Magazine featured him as one of the 30 most interesting voices in higher education who are shaping the conversation around technology and education.
Brownlee's service on community, state and national boards includes serving as the director of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrations Community College Institute; Co-Founder of the Rising Leaders Institute for the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, member of the My Brother's Keeper White House Initiative in San Antonio, Community College Chair of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, ApplyTX Advisory Council and a member of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Written by Fiona Lytle
Ken Young, David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. J. Kenneth Young, associate professor of educational leadership, is the recipient of the David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award. Lamar University President Emeritus Ken Evans bestowed the award, which comes with a $25,000 check, virtually by interrupting one of Dr. Young’s classes.
Young was one of 37 nominations submitted by students, faculty and administration for the award. Of those 37 nominees, only 17 faculty members completed the extensive application process. The candidates were interviewed by a selection committee to determine who best represents “the pinnacle of teaching excellence and whose academic performance brings acclaim to LU.”
Young joined LU in 2009, after completing his Ph.D. in educational psychology at Baylor University in Waco. Young’s primary teaching responsibilities include courses in applied research methods, scholarly writing, global leadership and adult learning theories. During his time at LU, he has made more than 22 presentations and written more than 19 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
When the pandemic hit, Young was a member of a team of educators who collaborated to support educators across Texas move from face-to-face instruction to alternative instructional methods. Within 48 hours of learning that LU and many other educational institutions across the country would move to online teaching, Young, along with LU’s Drs. Krystal Hinerman and Cynthia Cummings, offered a free webinar to demonstrate how to teach online using streaming video tools and provide tips on how to set-up and conduct instruction with students in an interactive format.
The David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award was given to Young for his genuine commitment to his students and their teaching success even after they graduate from LU.
Written by Shelly Vitanza