Patrick Fredricks, Interim Executive Director
Patrick brings over 15 years of experience in education, leadership development, and program management to the Collaborative. Since joining the team, Patrick has focused on building strong regional partnerships, expanding access to work-based learning opportunities, and enhancing internal operations to better serve students and educators across Southwest Colorado better.
Before this role, Patrick spent over a decade at Fort Lewis College, where he held leadership positions in both the Admission Office and the Leadership Center. His work has consistently centered on student engagement, strategic planning, and building programs that connect learning to meaningful career and life pathways.
In addition to his professional experience, Patrick is a certified CliftonStrengths coach, using a strengths-based approach to support teams, educators, and students in reaching their potential. His Top 5 Strengths—Relator, Responsibility, Consistency, Adaptability, and Belief—reflect his commitment to mission-driven leadership, collaboration, and continuous growth.
Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in Education from Western Carolina University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, their three children, and their two dogs, often exploring the natural beauty of Southwest Colorado.
Steve Otter, Counselor Coordinator
Steve is excited to be working in a regionally collaborative position that is connected to our area's school districts. Steve's work represents a corp value of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative (SWCEC) by partnering with the San Juan BOCES (SJBOCES) to support our region's educators through partnership. Within that context he is looking to support access to and opportunities for all students within their educational setting. Specifically he is focused on activities and supports that develop resilience and autonomy within the communities that he works with. The SWCEC provides Steve with the opportunity to have a combination of community work within educational settings and direct support of students' success.
Tai Rogers, Career and College Pathway Coordinator - Dove Creek, Dolores, Montezuma-Cortez, Mancos
Tai joined the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative as the Western Career and College Pathways Coordinator in July of 2023.
Most recently, he worked at Colorado GEAR UP, assigned to Montezuma-Cortez High School, as their Pre-Collegiate Advisor. Before that Tai worked in a variety of settings, from the Shop Coordinator at Indiana University’s School of Art, Architecture,& Design, to years with the USFS as a wildland firefighter, to living in Jamaica during a stint in the Peace Corps.
Originally from the Southeastern US, Tai moved a lot as a child, but has found his home in SW Colorado. Tai has a BA from Eckerd College, 2001, and an MFA from Indiana University, 2015.
Dusty Grannis, Program Operations Manager
Dusty grew up in Chicago, IL and the surrounding area. Upon moving to Durango, CO in 2001 he commenced his studies at Fort Lewis College and graduated with a BA in humanities. Dusty also took classes at San Juan Basin Technical College where he received IT certification. His passion for technology landed him as the IT specialist and coordinator at Animas High School where he worked for 9 years. During those 9 years at AHS Dusty’s position grew into many different positions including but not limited to operations manager, and registrar and testing coordinator. Outside of work you can find Dusty pursuing his other interests - mountain biking, snowboarding, river sports, performing music, and international travel.
