Authorities in Vermont are intensifying their search efforts for 21-year-old Lia Purcell Smith, a senior at the esteemed Middlebury College, who has been reported missing. The search operation is extensive and involves collaboration with the college’s officials, as confirmed by police.

In a Sunday Facebook post, Middlebury’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Smita Ruzicka, and Associate Vice President of Safety, Demitria Kirby, shared that they are in close communication with Smith’s family and friends. Their aim is to gather information on her recent activities and whereabouts to aid in the investigation.

Originally from California, Smith is in her final year at Middlebury, where she is double majoring in computer science and statistics. Beyond academics, she has been involved in athletics, previously participating on the college’s women’s swimming and diving team.

Smith was last seen on campus Friday evening around 9 p.m., and was officially reported missing on Sunday. The Middlebury Police Department has released this information, urging anyone with details about her disappearance to come forward.

Sgt. Nathan Hayes from the Middlebury Police Department is appealing to the student community to provide any insights or information they might have regarding Smith’s last confirmed sightings or interactions on campus.

“If anybody knows anything, even if it’s a friend that’s just afraid that maybe the information they may have might not be useful, please share it with the police,” he told the student newspaper Monday.

The Middlebury Police Department said that the college senior is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

Old Chapel on the campus of Middlebury College in Vermont.  (John Greim/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The investigation is ongoing, with police using drones to identify possible search areas to find the 21-year-old. Police said that she was last seen in a building on campus at approximately 9 p.m. on Friday.

The department is asking anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts to call 802-388-3191 or submit a tip online through the department’s website. 

Sign of Middlebury College in Vermont. (Toby Talbot / AP)

Middlebury College is a prestigious private liberal arts college, known as a “Little Ivy,” in Addison County, Vermont, located in the state’s Champlain Valley. According to the college, the campus population is about 2,800 undergraduate students.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Middlebury Police Department and Middlebury College for comment.