Our Team
The team of experts dedicated to helping you on your college journey.
College and career success doesn’t have to fall on your shoulders alone.
Our unique approach relies on partnerships with trusted, nonprofit universities. They provide our students affordable access to their degree programs, and we provide all the things that students need to be successful: a deeply supported onboarding process, personalized coaching and supports in our Denver campus, and a community of caring staff and peers that will be with them every step of the way.
This approach means students can pursue their degree and build their career at the same time, even while working or supporting family.
Holly Armstrong
Holly Armstrong
Head of Student Success
Holly is passionate about helping students thrive in education, career, and life. She has held multiple roles dedicated to building high-quality programs that promote equity for all students and communities. Prior to AdvanceEDU, she led an academic support program as Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction at Metropolitan State University of Denver. As the Assistant Director of College Completion for PelotonU, she helped create innovative student support resources and programming for the emerging hybrid college sector. Before PelotonU, she worked in various PK-12 roles coaching district leaders and teachers, overseeing curriculum and instruction, and creating remedial reading programs. Holly, a native Texan, graduated from Austin College and received her Master’s in Teaching from Marian University and her Master’s in Language and Literacy from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She hopes to help shape the future of higher education through AdvanceEDU’s dynamic, flexible, and career-relevant approach to supporting students.
Danté Bills
Danté Bills
Lesley Del Rio
Lesley Del Rio
Lesley has a deep commitment to the Denver Community through her engagement, advocacy, and education work. Raised in the Westwood neighborhood of Denver, she graduated from Florence Crittenton High School and has served in various non-profit organizations in the Denver metro area in pursuit of advancing equity and access for underserved communities. Her other community leadership and advocacy includes serving as a Parent Advisor for the Aspen Institute, facilitating community collective action conversations, serving on the Denver Health Community Advisory Panel, and mentoring through Latinas Increasing Political Strength, At AdvanceEDU, Lesley remains committed to the Denver community by helping students access higher education and postsecondary opportunities. Lesley is a first generation student, a mother of a 10 year old who loves video games, and was the first AdvanceEDU Student to earn her associate’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University. Lesley is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree with AdvanceEDU.
Alejandra Dominguez
Alejandra Dominguez
Alejandra was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and grew up in South Florida. Her commitment to equity in education is rooted in her own experiences as a first-generation immigrant to the United States and in what she has learned through her work with high school and college students. Alejandra has had the opportunity to support student success in several roles, including as an AmeriCorps Student Engagement Advocate, College Advisor, and Graduate Assistant. Through her role at AdvanceEDU, Alejandra hopes to work alongside students as they circumvent the aspects of higher education that do not support their success to instead pursue a path that allows them to reach their goals feeling whole, empowered, and ready to enact positive change in their own lives, communities, and the world. Alejandra holds a BA in Earth and Environmental Science from Columbia University and an MS in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University.
Marissa Manzanares
Success Coach
Marissa Manzanares
Marissa’s passion for college access along with her 7+ years of experience within higher education has allowed her to support underrepresented students and give back to her community here in Denver and her hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah. As a first generation college student, Marissa is a proud alumna of the University of Utah, where she obtained her Bachelors of Social Work degree in 2015. Following her move to Denver in 2017, she attended the University of Denver and received her Master of Arts degree in Higher Education in 2020. Prior to AdvanceEDU, Marissa has had the opportunity to support student success in several roles, including Alumni Success Advisor for KIPP Colorado Schools, Pathway Academic Advisor at the Community College of Aurora, and Undergraduate Admissions specialist at the University of Denver, along with other nonprofits in her hometown. She hopes to continue to serve, support, and advise students towards their passions at AdvanceEDU and to educate/advocate to others that there is more than one pathway towards brighter futures.
Diondre Morales
Diondre Morales
Enrollment Specialist
Diondre Morales was born and raised in Colorado. Education has always remained a priority in his life as he was the first in his family to attain a college degree. Diondre earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Colorado State University where his passion for education and mentoring grew from his own journey. Diondre has always believed that all students deserve equal access to resources and opportunities to successfully navigate through their journey of education and beyond. Prior to AdvanceEdu Diondre worked as a College and Career Advisor at his high school Alma Mater in Fort Lupton, CO. Diondre also served as a City Year Denver Americorps member and was a recipient of the National Corps Member of the Year Award in recognition of his ability to build relationships with students and staff.
Vanessa Roman
Vanessa Roman
Jose
Serrano
Jose Serrano
Marketing Manager
Born to Honduran parents, Jose always aspired to create and spread awareness of opportunities for everyone, especially those in the Hispanic/Latinx community. As a first-generation student, he understood the importance of equal education and connecting under-resourced individuals to brighter futures. Jose graduated from the University of Denver with his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and from the Daniels College of Business with a Bachelor’s in Marketing. Prior to AdvanceEDU, he worked and volunteered at various nonprofits throughout the Denver area. Alongside his experience performing in local film/theatre projects, he developed a passion for collaborating with diverse teams. Jose is determined to contribute to AdvanceEDU’s success in helping students accomplish their academic dreams.
Lauren Trent
