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Francisco Salas began his association with Fiske Planetarium in 1990 as a work-study student. Through hard work and dedication, he was soon promoted to the position of Education Program Manager, and now serves as Fiske’s Operations Manager. Throughout his 30+ year career with CU, he has become adept at balancing the ever-expanding functions of his role, including managing the planetarium; educating students; engaging the general public; collaborating with faculty members and visiting professors; handling public relations and working with clients; and maintaining and upgrading the technological aspects of the facility and its dome. Ìý

Francisco is always seeking new opportunities to showcase the planetarium as a center for teaching science, and as a venue that’s ideal for hosting private and corporate events. He encourages and supports his colleagues to continuously discover creative ways to bring Fiske to life for new students and audiences.

In 2008, Francisco was honored with the Chancellor’s Employee of the Year Award and has also received the President’s Diversity Award. He is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish, and presents Spanish-language programs at CU, neighborhood schools, and throughout the Front Range.

A CU alum, he holds degrees in Environmental Conservation and Geography, as well as minors in Astronomy and Geology. In addition, he is licensed in Secondary Science Teaching and was previously a high school science teacher with the Â鶹ӰԺ Valley School District.

When he’s not at Fiske, Francisco is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, and snow skiing.