Meet the Staff
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).
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Dawn said
"Sports Center and Friday Night Lights for TV, The Shawshank
Redemption and Remember the Titans for movies."
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. Esquibel 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.
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Twyla said "Big
Brother."
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 33 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 two granddaughters, Evalynn and
Charlotte Sue. In her spare time, Julia enjoys reading, gardening,
music and spending time with her family.
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Julia said "Lord
of the Rings Trilogy."
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. They have two
children, both DPS and college graduates, one living and working in
Boston, the other in Phoenix .
Hobbies include some rather clumsy golf and cross-country
skiing, bridge and the arts.
When asked about his favorite TV show or movie, Gully said
"Casablanca."
Lance Carl,
Director of Student Motivation
Lance began as director of Team 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, and a new baby girl.
When asked about his favorite TV show or movie, Lance said
"Shawshank Redemption - a story of hope, of justice and of course,
redemption."
Shelby
Burnette, Director of Post-Secondary Relations
Shelby Burnette began as Director of Outreach for College In
Colorado in June, 2007. In her current position, Shelby is
responsible for coordinating with colleges and universities
throughout the state. She brings to College in Colorado more than
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 three young children, one a newborn,
and with friends travelling, watching Bronco football, reading and
getting outside.
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Shelby said "on
TV, Sex In the City reruns and for movies, When Harry Met
Sally."
Bridget
Black, Director of Communications
Bridget began as marketing assistant for College In Colorado in
July of 2006. She took a short hiatus as a media buyer, and came
back to College In Colorado in January 2009. As Assistant to
Marketing and Partnerships, she creates print materials, works with
the marketing and partnership directors on all projects, media
buying, partnerships, and events. She is also the publisher and
editor of the www.CICPartnerNetwork.org.
Prior to her current position, Bridget was a junior media buyer,
worked in sales and in the restaurant industry. Bridget was born
and raised in Greeley Colorado. She is a Greeley Central High
School graduate and received her B.A. in communications from the
University of Colorado at Boulder in spring 2006.
In her spare time, Bridget enjoys skiing, the outdoors, hanging
out with family, friends and her dog Lola, and enjoys reading a
great book.
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Bridget said
"How I Met Your Mother."
Misti joined College In Colorado as the director of outreach and
access in August 2011. In her position, Misti manages the CIC
outreach and access team which covers the state, serving Colorado
students and families, helping them navigate the path to
college.
Misti has been a part of higher education in Colorado for more
than 15 years, holding administrative and faculty positions at Mesa
State College and The Colorado School of Mines. Additionally, Misti
has been with divisions of the Department of Higher Education,
since 2002, including College Assist and CollegeInvest, where she
represented the services of the State of Colorado nationally with
colleges and universities in 24 states. Most recently, Misti held
the position of College Access Director for the Colorado Department
of Higher Education. Misti is considered a national subject matter
expert on paying for college and helping unaccompanied homeless and
foster youth successfully transition to college. She has given
national/regional workshops and seminars at NASFAA, RMASFAA and
NAEHCY on the topic. Her work has been highlighted in the Chicago
Tribune, NASFAA News and Inside Higher Education.
Misti is the co-chair of Colorado's Task Force on Transitioning
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth to Higher Education, an effort which
has improved identification at Colorado colleges by nearly 400%.
She is a board member for the Rocky Mountain Association for
Student Financial Aid Administrators (RMASFAA), Colorado
Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAFAA), the Colorado
Council on High School & College Relations and College Goal
Sunday. Misti holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from Colorado
Mesa University with emphases in Journalism, Public Relations and
Broadcasting and was valedictorian of her college graduating class.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her husband, Mark, and
"the furry kid" their dog, Bella.
Maria Elena began with College In Colorado as Denver Public
Schools (DPS) Coordinator in June of 2007. In her current position
Maria Elena coordinates outreach to the southern part of Colorado.
In addition, she staffs minority 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.
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Maria Elena
said, obviously, "The Sopranos!"
Linda Fraser,
Training and Technical Support Coordinator
Linda Fraser joined the College in Colorado staff in November
2010 as Training and Technical Support Coordinator. In this role,
Linda will assist the Director of Web & Curriculum Development
with training logistics and preparation by working with counselors,
administrators and teachers to assess their needs and set up the
appropriate training.
Linda started her professional life just 100 ft above sea level
- in Houston, Texas. After graduating from the University of
Houston with her bachelor's degree in Organizational Behavior &
Management, Linda got her first taste of human resources and
employee relations at Tenneco Oil. Tasked with helping to increase
the productivity and close rate of a team of college recruiters,
she developed and maintained relationships with 12 high profile
college placement offices and managed a tracking system that helped
expedite offers to engineering and technical candidates.
When the oil industry began to show signs of stress, Linda
transitioned to Baker Botts, an international law firm specializing
in litigation and energy, finance and intellectual property law.
There she managed the logistics that contributed to the success of
the firm's recruitment and retention program.
In the late 80's Linda managed Peat Marwick's (now KPMG)
domestic college recruiting program in Houston, collaborating with
partners to determine candidate fit and form long term university
alliances. She coordinated on-campus activities and events and
organized between 150-175 university interviews per recruiting
season.
In the early 90's Linda took time off to raise her two children,
now a junior in high school and a sophomore at CU-Boulder. During
this time she also started a successful and profitable small
business.
Linda, her family and their three dogs moved to the mountains
southwest of Denver, elevation 8500 ft. in 1999. Prior to joining
CIC, Linda worked as the Registrar in the counseling office at
Platte Canyon High School. She managed registration, enrollments,
transfers and triaged requests for a team of counselors. In this
position she continued to learn the importance of making personal
connections and building strong one-on-one relationships.
Linda's skills and experience make her uniquely qualified to
assess the training needs of school counselors, teachers and
administrators and to help them find ways to utilize the valuable
tools that College in Colorado has to offer to both staff and
students.
In her free time Linda enjoys walking and hiking with friends
near her home in the mountains, participating in her book club,
entertaining friends and spending time with her family. Linda's
favorite movie is Chocolat and she is a big fan of the television
show Glee.
Timpi Webber graduated from Colorado State University with a
Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a dual
concentration in Corporate Finance and Accounting. She also holds a
minor in Merchandising. While in college Timpi was inducted into
the Order of Omega Leadership Honor Society and was a four-year
Native American Honors Scholar.
Timpi has an extensive background in working with several
non-profit organizations and philanthropic activities. She found
her passion for the non-profit realm early in life while
volunteering for Camp Fire USA girls program. Outside of College in
Colorado, Timpi is currently involved with Goodwill Industries of
Denver, specifically at East High School with the Denver Youth
Development Initiative (DYDI). Where she devotes her free time to
high school student's future planning needs, local DYDI
partnerships, and assists with program creativity. Timpi also
volunteers for the National Sports Center for the Disabled, where
the mission is to provide quality outdoor sports and recreation to
positively impact the lives of people with physical, cognitive,
emotional, and behavioral challenges.
Timpi absolutely loves being active in sports, spending time
with family and friends, snowboarding, creativity, and working with
today's youth.
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Timpi said
"Love, Actually."
Mary Anne began with College In Colorado and CollegeInvest as
Outreach Coordinator/Trainer in December of 2009. In her position
Mary Anne conducts CollegeInColorado.org training for students and
counselors, as well as college financing presentations for students
and parents.
Mary Anne has 30 years of extensive experience in higher
education financing including Financial Aid Director positions at
Metropolitan State College of Denver and Loyola Law School in Los
Angeles, CA.
She was born and raised in Alamosa where she received her B.A.
in Secondary Education from Adams State College. She received a
Master of Educaton degree in Higher Education Administration from
Colorado State University, Ft. Collins and is currently working on
an M.B.A. from Western Governors University.
Mary Anne enjoys gardening, reading and spending time in the
mountains with her husband Ron.
Mackenzie began as an outreach coordinator for College In
Colorado in February, 2010. As an outreach coordinator and public
speaker, Mackenzie represents College In Colorado at student
outreach events, in classrooms and conferences, as well as
counselor, student and parent trainings along the Eastern
Plains.
Mackenzie graduated from Colorado State University with a BA in
Journalism and Technical Communication with a concentration in
Public Relations and a minor in Spanish. She interned for a year
and a half with the CSU Athletic Media Relations department as the
head women's tennis student assistant as well as assisted with the
women's and men's basketball teams. She utilized several
communication platforms consisting of state of the art software to
create press releases, media guides and digital promotion
management to communicate with ESPN, NCAA, CBS College Sports and
the Mountain West Conference.
Mackenzie was born and raised in Boulder, Colo. She is a true
"Buffalo" at heart but became a "Ram" to obtain the best of both
worlds! In addition, she is a graduate from Holy Family High School
in Broomfield. Go Tigers!
In her spare time, Mackenzie enjoys basketball, tennis, the
majestic Rocky Mountains, horseback riding, hiking, spontaneous
travel adventures and hanging out with her family and friends. She
is an avid North Carolina Tar Heels Men's Basketball fan and lives
for March Madness.
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Mackenzie said
"I am an avid 007 James Bond fan! My all-time favorites are Dr. No,
Thunderball, Never Say Never Again and Goldfinger! Classic movies!
I always wanted to be a Bond girl! And of course, I am obsessed
with "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory."
Liliana Diaz joined the College in Colorado team in December of
2010 as the Outreach Coordinator for Northern Colorado.
She started her career in higher education as an Admissions
Counselor Intern for the University of Colorado at Boulder and
later moved to the Metropolitan State College of Denver assisting
with their Excel Pre-Collegiate Program. Liliana has worked in
several industries such as advertising, broadcast production,
retail and a stint as a barista but found her passion laid in
assisting students with the college process.
She is an alumna of the University of Colorado at Boulder where
she received her Bachelor of Science in journalism, Bachelor of Art
in film studies and a certificate from the Alliance for Technology,
Learning and Society Institute.
Born in Los Angeles, CA, Liliana moved to Colorado with her
family in 1995 and fell in love with the fresh Colorado air, no
traffic and the majestic Rocky Mountains.
In her spare time Liliana enjoys playing kickball with the
Denver Kickball Coalition, graphic design, foreign and avant-garde
cinema and music. Her passion music was showcased through her world
radio show, Coup De Style with KVCU Radio 1190.
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Liliana said,
"Amelie" and the Thai martial arts film "Chocolate."
Karina de Anda began her career with College In Colorado in
March of 2011. As a statewide Outreach Coordinator, Karina will
reach a state-wide audience, with no specific region.
Karina was born in California but raised in Pueblo, Colorado.
She will graduate from Colorado State University, Pueblo, with a
Masters and Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a
concentration in Business Management and Marketing in May of 2011.
She also holds a minor in Leadership Studies through the
President's Leadership Program.
When asked about her favorite TV show or movie, Karina said,
"Way too many to count. I love so many shows and movies."
Dustin began as a College In Colorado outreach and access
coordinator for the Western Slope in August, 2011. In this
position, Dustin represents College In Colorado at student outreach
events, in classrooms and conferences, as well as at counselor,
student and parent presentations and trainings.
Dustin graduated from the University of Portland, earning two
degrees including a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a
Bachelor of Science degree in organizational communication, while
also earning a minor in Spanish through study abroad programs in
Nicaragua and Mexico. Dustin began working in the education area
during college, completing two theses on the impact of
extracurricular involvement on graduation and college achievement
and outcomes across socio-economically diverse student populations.
Soon after college Dustin began working in higher education as the
coordinator of the University of Portland First-Year Experience
program and then with both Northern Arizona University and the
University of Dayton as a college success coach through
Insidetrack.
Dustin was born in Denver and grew up in Fort Collins, where he
graduated a proud Rocky Mountain High School Lobo. He left for
several years to adventure in Portland and is glad to have returned
to the sunny state of Colorado!
In his spare time, Dustin is always busy, usually with
activities pertaining to sports or the outdoors. Dustin is an avid
soccer player, golfer, basketball player and snowboarder, along
with being an addict of watching and playing football. More
recently, Dustin has developed a great passion for Class 3 and 4
mountain scrambling and continues to bag peaks throughout the
summer. Along with the Broncos, Dustin lives and dies with his
favorite team in sports throughout the college basketball season,
Coach K's Duke Blue Devils!
When asked about his favorite TV show or movie, Dustin said
"ESPN, or Fox Soccer Channel. Everyone who knows me knows I have
been around the house because ESPN is always on. If I am not
watching sports or playing Madden or FIFA, I am probably watching
Inception or Dark Knight."
Initially hired by the Colorado Department of Higher Education
as the College Access Coordinator for Southern Colorado in November
2010, Derrick Padilla continues as the Outreach and Access
Coordinator for this region with College In Colorado.
A 2010 graduate of the National Urban Fellows Masters of Public
Administration degree program, Derrick completed his studies at the
City University of New York - Baruch College and nine-month senior
level Mentorship assignment at the New York Power Authority. Prior
to selection as a Fellow, he served as Coordinator of Student
Activities and Events, Coordinator of Recruitment and Retention and
Financial Aid Advisor at Pueblo Community College for four-years at
the institution. Derrick's nine-years of experience in higher
education work began as a Work-Study student at the University of
Southern Colorado and Adams State College where he completed a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with an emphasis in Business
Management. Commitment to public service, Mr. Padilla proudly
served five-years in the United States Air Force as a Firefighter
and competed on the All-Air Force Wrestling team. He is dedicated
to the Pueblo community and State of Colorado through numerous
appointments to boards, advisory teams and coach for youth
sports.