This story was updated on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 6:45 p.m. 

MIDDLEBURY — ­ Middlebury police are actively searching for a Middlebury College senior who has not been heard from since this past Friday evening. Vermont State Police are joining the hunt on Thursday.

On Sunday the town police department said they are looking for Lia P. Smith, who was last seen on campus on Friday evening. According to student newspaper The Middlebury Campus, Smith’s father reported her missing after she did not respond via cell. 

Smith was last seen at 9 p.m. on Oct. 17. She is 5’11”, approximately 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information about Smith or her whereabouts is asked to contact Middlebury police at 802- 388-3191 or submit an online tip on the Middlebury police website at tinyurl.com/MiddSearch.

Fellow students may also contact Middlebury College Public Safety at 802-443-5911.

On Monday afternoon, Middlebury police said they were using drones in their search. Middlebury College Public Safety on Tuesday was looking to form search parties; for anyone who wants to volunteer it provided a link posted with this story.

In a message to Middlebury students, college administrators Smita Ruzicka and Demitria Kirby said they are “working closely with the Middlebury police, which is investigating and collecting information at this time. We have been in touch with the student’s family and friends to offer support and learn all we can about the student’s recent activities and whereabouts.”

Ruzicka is Vice President for Student Affairs, and Kirby is Associate Vice President of Safety. Middlebury College President Ian Baucom, Ruzicka and Kirby provided the institution’s latest update late Monday afternoon.

Smith is a senior from California double majoring in computer science and statistics. She is also a successful diver on the Panther women’s swimming and diving team.

At the request of Middlebury police, Vermont State Police will activate its Search and Rescue Team and its first full-scale search will take place Thursday, Oct. 23. In addition, the state police’s Victim Services Unit is working closely with Smith’s family.

MPD conducted a larger-scale search on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in wooded areas on and adjacent to the Middlebury College campus. At the request of MPD, college staff continue to search all campus facilities.

Wednesday’s ground search was conducted by members of the Middlebury police and fire department, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents from the Swanton Sector.

MPD is receiving assistance from other law enforcement agencies, including New York State Police and the FBI.