Our Mission
Develop a state-wide STEMM ecosystem focused on supporting rural Kansas. RAISE Kansas will provide a backbone and centralized resource for connecting rural school districts, Kansas industry, post-secondary institutions, and community leaders who are advocates for STEMM education. RAISE will provide resources for STEMM teachers, support STEMM workforce development, provide STEMM career exploration, and promote project based learning and immersive STEMM experiences for rural students across Kansas.
History & Impact
RAISE Kansas (Rural Alliance In STEMM Education) initially began with the STEMM FIRE Foundation. STEMM FIRE was started in 2019 by three individuals who were each raised in small towns and rural areas in Kansas and Indiana. Their paths crossed while working in the medical and engineering fields in Kansas City. They began to notice significant discrepancies that existed between rural and urban students and their exposure to STEMM professionals and careers. In large cities, STEMM professionals frequently volunteer and interact with classrooms; major exhibits and demonstrations are either brought to schools or are available for exploration just down the road. Corporate-funded programs enrich and expand students’ experiences and knowledge of STEMM fields continuously.
Over it’s first 4 years, STEMM FIRE was able to bring its STEMM Career Exploration program to over 6,000 rural students across Kansas and grew significantly each year.
In 2024 STEMM FIRE was awarded a grant by the Patterson Family Foundation which allowed the formation of a larger organization, called RAISE Kansas, and a new partnership with the Fort Hays State University Science and Math Education Institute.
With this new partnership, STEMM FIRE is now a program under RAISE Kansas and will be able to continue its growth by reaching additional students every year across rural Kansas. RAISE will also implement a pilot Educonomy Program focused on resource and workforce development between rural educators and employers for communities in rural Kansas.
RAISE Kansas believes that rural students should have similar opportunities and exposure to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine. Rural teachers and school districts are already making significant strides in improving this area for their students. However, there are a variety of challenges that exist including distance, limited budgets and a general lack of willingness of large city corporations to expand their philanthropic goals past city limits. This leads to rural students missing out on the vast opportunities available in the STEMM world and losing out on valuable exposure and experience in these fields.
Rural areas are in desperate need of STEMM-educated individuals to return and support their communities, just as cities are in need of our outstanding STEMM educated individuals from our rural areas. It is our hope that between educators, parents, and support from regional employers and RAISE Kansas, the STEMM interested student will become inspired, equipped and prepared to pursue extraordinary opportunities for themselves and their families, and contribute to a tremendous rural workforce.
Staff
Lindsay Schmidt, PA-C
Executive Director
Lindsay grew up in Iuka, Kansas and went to school in neighboring Pratt, Kansas. After attaining her bachelors at Kansas State University and Masters at The University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lindsay began working as a Physician Assistant in Orthopedic Surgery in Kansas City in 2010. She currently works at The University of Kansas Health System in upper extremity orthopedic surgery. She is one of the original founders of the STEMM FIRE Foundation and is excited for its expansion to RAISE Kansas and the increased opportunities it will bring to rural Kansas. She lives with her husband Brandon and their three daughters in Shawnee, Kansas.
Sailor-Anne Seiler
Assistant Director – Western Kansas
Sailor-Anne is the youngest of 5 siblings from Hanston, Kansas. She has a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship from Kansas State and is set to complete her MBA through Fort Hays State in December of 2024. She has 3 years experience as the Economic Development Director of Hodgman County and stays busy with Crossfit, various sports, 6 nieces and nephews, and running with her Great Dane Ike. Sailor is passionate about supporting Kansas youth and hopes to contribute to efforts that encourage them to remain in the state and pursue careers that will shape a bright future for Kansas.
Earl Legleiter
Assistant Director; Educonomy Program Director
Earl grew up on a farm near Liebenthal, Kansas and went to high school in nearby LaCrosse. He graduated from the University of Kansas with his degree in Biology, and has taught science in rural schools for 23 years. He now works with pre-service STEM teachers at Fort Hays State University preparing them to thrive in rural places. He provides Modeling Instruction professional development for in-service teachers throughout the nation. He lives with his wife Leslie in Englewood, Colorado and enjoys frequent visits from his six grandchildren.
Advisory Board
Dr. E. Bruce Toby
Advisory Board
Dr. Toby was born in Lafayette, Indiana. He enjoyed playing football for his undefeated high school team. He went on to receive an Engineering degree from Purdue. He graduated Medical School from Indiana University Medical School. He completed his Orthopedic Residency at Wake Forest and then his fellowship in hand surgery/microvascular surgery at Duke. He was the Chair of the Orthopedic Department at the University of Kansas Health System for many years and has continued his practice in Great Bend, Kansas, continuing to provide for the University of Kansas Health System. He lives in Overland Park with his wife Dolores and his 2 hunting dogs. His son Sam is in the US Army and his daughter Rachel, her husband and their son live in St. Louis.
RAISE KANSAS 