Clara Raley, Executive Director
Clara Raley joined the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative as the Executive Director in June of 2024. With a rich background in program development, K-12 and higher education, and leadership, Clara brings diverse experience to the collaborative. Prior to this role, Clara served as the State Advisor for the New Mexico Technology Student Association, the STEM Program Manager for the New Mexico State University (NMSU) College of Engineering, the coordinator for the Young Women in Computing Program for the NMSU Department of Computer Science, and taught middle school science at Las Cruces Public Schools. In her most recent role, she became accustomed to adapting to the ever changing needs of K-12, Higher Education, and Industry, and worked to fill skills gaps through multiple K-12 outreach and recruitment programs including New Mexico BEST Robotics, NM PREP Summer Academies, and the NM Technology Student Association. She is excited to utilize her passion and innovative spirit to sustain the critical pathway programs of the collaborative that are impacting students in the Southwest Colorado region.
Clara is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Education Learning Technologies, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning, an MBA, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Science, all from New Mexico State University. She also serves on the boards of the Young Professionals of Durango and Explore Academy Las Cruces.
While not working, Clara finds joy in spending quality time with her husband (Sam) and four dogs (Leo, Nova, Kairi, and Itchy), and catching up on her favorite SciFi shows and books. She enjoys recreational soccer, skiing, and loves to sing.
Patrick Fredricks, Deputy Director
Patrick Fredricks joined the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative in January 2024. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, he brings a breadth and depth of experience in student recruitment/engagement, event planning, project management, and leadership development. Before joining the Collaborative, Patrick worked at Fort Lewis College for over 11 years in the Admission Office as well as the Leadership Center. Patrick is also a Clifton Strengths Coach where he helps people identify their unique strengths and how to implement them in their work and personal life. His Top 5 Strengths are Relator, Responsibility, Consistency, Adaptability, and Belief.
Patrick graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management and then from Western Carolina University with a master’s degree in Education.
When not working with the Collaborative, he is spending time with his wife, their three children, and their two dogs.
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.
