I see you are not from the south.
As someone who lives in the south, I can tell you that *lots* of older people here still use the term "colored" instead of african american. (hell, some government agencies here still do) It's not meant to be offensive, it is simply used instead of african american, which is used more often in the north. Usually younger people here will say african american, but people here 50 years and older will almost always say colored.
You have to understand that a few decades ago, "colored" was the politically correct way to say african american. The "N word" was the racist word used to refer to african americans. Many older people grew up with those words, and when they say "colored" they are actually trying to be respectful. Again, let me reiterate, "colored" has always been a politically correct word. It simply lost favor to an even more politically correct term - african american. Just like "indian" went to "native american". "Indian" was the politically correct word, the racist terms were "red skin" "injun" "half-breed". "Indian" was never a racist word, and just because native american is the newer term doesn't mean that "indian" is now racist.
Again - "colored" was *never* a racist term. If you went back in time to the 1950's and used the word "colored" at a KKK meeting, they would probably try to kill you because that was the respectful way to refer to african americans. Just because "colored" isn't used much anymore (especially in the north) doesn't mean it has suddenly become a racist word.
Another example is that older people will say "bill fold" when they mean "wallet". Chances are 99% of people under age 50 probably will never use the word "bill fold". Just because it isn't a common word anymore doesn't mean it is suddenly bad, or ever WAS bad to begin with.
Now, if your GSA is not older and from the south it is kind of weird she would say colored instead of african american, because she wouldn't have grown up being taught to use that term.... so not sure where she would have learned it from, unless maybe her parents were from the south.