David Smith
Executive Director
David Smith is the Executive Director of Roaring Fork PreCollegiate. Dave is a graduate of Middlebury College and received his law degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Dave got involved with PreCollegiate as a volunteer mentor beginning in 2008, and the group of students he worked with graduated from Glenwood Springs High School in 2014. Watching these students go through the PreCollegiate program was so impactful and inspiring that Dave chose to change careers from the full-time practice of law in order to join the PreCollegiate team as it grows and enters a new phase and tries to serve more students. Dave has a passion working with and for traditionally underrepresented populations, especially undocumented students. He lives in Glenwood Springs with his wife and two children.
Karlie Colia
Program Coordinator
Karlie is the Program Coordinator for Basalt High School. Karlie is a Roaring Fork Valley native and graduated from Glenwood Springs High School in 2007. She completed her undergraduate coursework from Fort Lewis College in Durango in 2011 and received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver in 2015. Karlie has a deep passion for working with children and adolescents and has enjoyed an array of supportive platforms, ranging from grief counseling to behavior therapy. She believes in the power to change the things we cannot accept and that vulnerability is at the center of human experiences (Brené Brown). In her free time, she enjoys adventuring with her husband, two children, and their fluffy pup.
Martha Schanfarber
Program Coordinator
Martha Schanfarber is the Program Coordinator for Roaring Fork High School. She graduated from the University of Texas and had a long career as a Special Education Teacher. She then went on to work for Fort Lewis College in the TRIO program, helping underrepresented students attend college. As a first-generation student herself, she believes that kindness, tolerance, and confidence are the most important aspects to model for the students. Her belief is that all people, regardless of race, background, or social status should have equal access to higher education. In her free time, she enjoys time outdoors with her husband, 3 children, and golden retriever.
Adrienne Nelson
Program Coordinator
Adrienne Nelson is the PreCollegiate Middle School Program Coordinator. Adrienne is a first-generation college graduate, earning a degree in Elementary Education from Michigan State University. Adrienne has taught students from Pre-Kindergarteners through adult learners, and for the past 6 years Adrienne has worked as a Middle School Special Education teacher. In her free time, Adrienne is an avid hiker, reader, and crocheter. She enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and two Bernese Mountain dogs.
Yerania Silva
Program Coordinator
Yerania Silva is the Program Coordinator for Glenwood Springs High School. Yerania is also a first-generation college graduate. Majoring in Leadership and Management has fostered a deep passion to give back to her community. She enjoys working with disadvantaged and underserved youth and believes that all students, regardless of their background, can pave the way to their own success. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, podcasting, and spending time with her family.