Meet the Staff
Dawn Taylor Owens, Executive Director
Dawn Taylor Owens began her tenure as executive director of College In Colorado in February of 2006. In this role she leads a statewide initiative, including outreach and Web site services, to help Colorado students pursue higher education opportunities.
Prior to her current position, Taylor Owens served as director of communications for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources from February of 2002. As primary liaison for the Department with the news media, she was called upon to write opinion editorials, press releases, newsletters, issue papers and articles for publication. This experience capitalized on her earlier role as speechwriter and senior staff member for Governor Bill Owens. Appointed in August of 1999, Taylor Owens researched, wrote and edited all of the Governor's speeches. She was also charged with various other writing assignments, and to write speeches for legislators, members of the Governor's Cabinet and staff.
Before moving to Colorado, Taylor Owens lived in Washington, D.C. where she served as press secretary to Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon. In this position, she was a spokesperson for Senator Smith, establishing a positive relationship between the Senator and members of the local, state, national and Capitol Hill press corps. She coordinated media interviews, press conferences, and coverage of the Senator's speeches and appearances, and briefed the Senator prior to television and radio appearances. Taylor Owens worked for two other Senators in Washington D.C., Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming and Senator Frank Murkowski of Alaska. Additionally, she served as guest host and moderator of "Ask Your Senator" - a weekly syndicated television program featuring various Republican Senators - and as a freelance producer for the sports television division of the Associated Press.
Taylor Owens is regularly asked to speak on both political and non-political topics throughout the state, on issues critical to the Department of Higher Education and important issues facing the West. She served on the Early Childhood School Readiness Commission and currently serves on the steering committee of College Goal Sunday. Taylor Owens also spends time out of the office as a freelance writer for state and national publications.
A Wyoming native, Taylor Owens was raised in Laramie and currently resides in Denver. She is a graduate of The University of Wyoming with a degree in broadcasting and communications.
In her free time Taylor Owens enjoys attending and participating in sporting events, sampling Denver's many outstanding restaurants and traveling, but mostly spending time with her husband Jim, an attorney, and their two sons Harlan (3) and Taylor (1-1/2).
Twyla Lee, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director 
Twyla began as executive assistant to the Executive Director of College In Colorado in March of 2006. Not only does Twyla serve as assistant to the Executive Director, she coordinates and schedules events for the College In Colorado staff, helps with budgeting and accounting, does some student outreach and provides all-around staff support.
Prior to her current position Twyla was a budget analyst for the executive director’s office of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Lee began her career with the state in 1998 and has held various positions including program assistant for Youth In Natural Resources and assistant to the deputy director for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.
Twyla was born and raised in Denver. She is a Manual High School graduate and attended the Community College of Denver. In her spare time, Twyla enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Julia Pirnack, Director of Web and Curriculum Development
Julia Pirnack has worked with College In Colorado since October, 2005. As director of Web and curriculum development, Julia provides oversight for the design and development of the Website, CollegeInColorado.org, and its related curriculum, as well as managing training to educators statewide.
Ms. Pirnack serves on multiple boards and councils including the Front Range Community College Area Advisory Board, St. Vrain Education Foundation and Longmont Committee for Cultural and Performing Arts. Julia served as City of Longmont Mayor from 2001 to 2007. Before working with College In Colorado, Ms. Pirnack's career spanned small business, large for-profit organizations and executive VP for a national non-profit in agriculture.
Julia is a Colorado native; born and raised in Boulder County. She attended local public schools and graduated from Niwot High School with its first senior class in 1974. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a master's degree in public administration, both from the University of Colorado.
Scott Pirnack, Julia's husband of 30 years, is an architect. Son Aaron graduated with a degree in philosophy and daughter Sheah graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering, both from C.U. Boulder. Scott and Julia have a granddaughter Evalynn. In her spare time, Julia enjoys reading, gardening, music and spending time with her family.
Gully Stanford, Director of Pre-Collegiate Partnerships
Gully joined College In Colorado as the director of pre-collegiate partnerships in January 2006. In his position, Gully is responsible for recruiting and maintaining a statewide network of nearly 2,000 post-secondary stakeholders and facilitating their efforts to better serve the career and college aspirations of all Colorado students.
Prior to his current position, Gully served the Department of Higher Education as director of Colorado GEAR UP, after spending 35 years in the regional theatre movement, most recently as associate vice-president and public affairs director at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
Career highlights include assisting on campaigns to create the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District in Metro-Denver and Amendment 23, helping to pass Colorado’s first adult literacy bill, one term on the Colorado State Board of Education and one year on the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
Born and raised in Ireland, Gully holds an M.A. from Trinity College, Dublin. Bilingual in French and English, he is married to DCPA Executive Vice-President Dorothy Denny, and they have two children in college.
Hobbies include some rather clumsy golf and cross-country skiing, bridge and the arts.
Lance Carl, Director of Student Outreach
Lance began as director of student outreach with College In Colorado in April of 2006. In this position, Lance serves as the liaison to middle and high schools throughout the state to provide direct outreach to students, schedule and facilitate motivational presentations outlining the benefits of higher education and maximizes the services of the Colorado High School Athletics Association. He also works with various civic groups and athletic organizations around the state promoting CollegeInColorado.org.
Prior to joining College In Colorado, Lance served as the Western regional scout for the Philadelphia Eagles, responsible for more than 60 universities. Lance brings more than 15 years of community outreach experience to his role as director of student outreach. He attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, in the mid-1980’s as a student-athlete (football) and in 1988 signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins. He then returned to CU Boulder in 1990 to join the staff of the University of Colorado 1990 National Championship team. He has worked extensively as a counselor with at-risk youth and emotionally/physically abused children as well as coordinating the counseling agenda and outreach for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Boulder County. Throughout his career, Lance has relied on his college degree and today focuses on the importance of academic achievement and leadership for all students, regardless of their background, interests and future career choices.
Lance was born and raised in Fort Madison, Iowa. He is a 1983 graduate from Fort Madison High School and has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
In his spare time, Lance enjoys hiking, mountain biking, basketball, golf and coaching his sons’ youth teams. He and his wife Jennifer have two sons, ages 9 and 4.
Corrie Houck, Marketing Director
Corrie began as marketing director for College In Colorado in September of 2006. In her position Corrie is responsible for promoting College In Colorado and its resources, including coordination of marketing and public relations activities and materials. In addition, Corrie manages TV, radio and print advertising partnerships.
Prior to her current position, Corrie worked in Washington, D.C. as an aide to United States Senator Richard Bryan. She has been a professional in public relations in marketing for more than eight years working for non-profits, a nationally recognized event management agency and Kostka Gleason Communications. Immediately prior to her position with College In Colorado, Corrie revisited her roots in Washington, D.C., working for Colorado State Senator Chris Romer’s campaign as field/volunteer director.
Corrie was born in Des Moines, Iowa and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a graduate of the University of Denver with degrees in Political Science and Public Affairs and a Certificate in European Studies from the University of Denver.
In her spare time, Corrie volunteers with Children’s International Summer Villages, a non-profit that works with young people teaching teach peace and tolerance.
Shelby Burnette, Outreach Manager
Shelby Burnette began as Outreach Manager for College In Colorado in June, 2007. In her position, Shelby is responsible for coordinating outreach efforts throughout the state. She brings to College in Colorado over 14 years experience primarily as a counselor and trainer. She has worked in the non-profit, higher education and in the marketing and sales business sectors, and had a private therapy practice.
She comes to College In Colorado from the University of Denver, where she served since 2000 as an academic adviser, assistant director of academic advising, and most recently, in the Career Center working with undergraduate business majors in all aspects of the career exploration process, including ensuring that students market themselves effectively and position themselves for future success in their career path of choice.
Shelby attended the University of San Diego and completed her M.A. degree in marriage, family and child counseling. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology, with a minor in English from the University of Wyoming. She is a licensed marriage and family counselor in the State of Colorado and a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) trainer.
Shelby is originally from Wyoming, but has been in Denver since 1998 after a five year stint in San Diego. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young children, Aiden and Jarron, and with friends travelling, watching Bronco football, reading and getting outside.
Ashley Sakker, Assistant Director of Student Outreach
Ashley began as student outreach assistant for College In Colorado in August of 2005. In her current position Ashley conducts student and counselor trainings as well as represents Team College In Colorado at student outreach events and conferences.
Prior to her current position, Ashley worked as a tour consultant with EF Educational Tours, designing international travel trips for high school students.
Ashley was born and raised in Denver. She is an East High School graduate and received her B.A. in communications from the University of Colorado at Denver. She will complete her Masters in Educational Counseling from the University of Phoenix in May.
In her spare time, Ashley enjoys hiking, traveling, yoga, reading and hanging out with family and friends.
Maria Elena Rivera, Denver Public Schools (DPS) Coordinator
Maria Elena began with College In Colorado as Denver Public Schools (DPS) Coordinator in June of 2007. In her position Maria Elena coordinates and implements student and counselor training for Denver Public Schools. In addition, she staffs DPS and Denver-Metro outreach events and conferences.
Prior to her coming to College In Colorado, Maria Elena worked as a youth outreach advocate with the Colorado Department of Education's Migrant Education Program in Metro Region 2, serving Adams 50 and Boulder Valley school districts.
Maria Elena was born in northern California and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California. She is a graduate of California State University, Northridge, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is pursuing a Masters in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach.
In her spare time, Maria Elena enjoys adventures of the outdoors (i.e. fishing, boating, snow and water skiing, white water rafting, camping, etc.); attending and participating in sporting events; spending time with family and friends; traveling (regardless of distance or location); and watching the Sopranos.
Lauren K. Jones, Outreach Coordinator
Lauren ("LJ") began as Outreach Coordinator for College In Colorado in July, 2007. As Outreach Coordinator, Lauren will represent College In Colorado at student outreach events and conferences, as well as counselor, student and parent trainings around the State.
Lauren moved to Colorado in response to a dream she had one night while living outside Philadelphia. The dream had her moving to Colorado to obtain a masters degree. After receiving a B.A. in sociology and a minor in peace and justice from Villanova University, Lauren traveled abroad, served as a camp counselor in Alaska , was a VISTA volunteer for Americorps, assisted in Expeditionary Learning classrooms and worked as a coffee barista before completing an M.A. in counseling psychology and counselor education from the University of Colorado at Denver.
In her spare time, Lauren loves taking care of her garden and house plants, watching her nutty cat pounce around the yard, cooking, creating and being in the great outdoors.
Laura Giocomo, Marketing Assistant
Laura Giocomo joined the team at College In Colorado in the spring of 2008. As assistant to marketing and partnerships, Laura writes marketing materials, assists with press events, tracks media coverage and provides various supports for the pre-collegiate partnership.
Prior to being hired by College In Colorado, Laura was the communications assistant and acting communications specialist for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. While with the Mayor's Office, Laura's responsibilities included researching, writing and attending the majority of the Mayor's speeches, drafting letters and press releases and staffing and tracking media events. During college, she interned with Mayor Hickenlooper's Office, a media relations company and Live Nation Incorporated, the world's largest concert promoter.
A Colorado native, Laura was born in Glenwood Springs and is a graduate of Highlands Ranch High School in Douglas County. Laura is a 2007 graduate of the University of Denver where she studied journalism and public policy.
Like any good Coloradoan, she enjoys skiing, cycling and being in the great outdoors. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends and is currently trying to learn to cook.