Elise Raschke might seem like an average college student, until you learn she also works at an artificial intelligence startup, runs a coffee company and serves as vice president of the powerlifting team. She also just returned from serving as a Catholic camp counselor for 12 weeks in Colorado. Put plainly, the senior in biomedical engineering is anything but ordinary.
As a high-achieving high schooler, Raschke says she chose Marquette over other schools because of its Catholic faith, legacy of servant leadership and the personal attention she received even before enrolling. “This is my school,” she recalls, thinking about the supportive community and the purpose-driven lives of Marquette alumni she’d met.
Originally a pre-med math major on an M.D.-Ph.D. track, it was the personal encounter with Dr. Kris Ropella, Opus Dean of the Opus College of Engineering, that introduced her to the world of biomedical engineering. It ended up a perfect fit, and Raschke discovered she thrives in new product development.
“I work really well when I can be innovative and do something fast-paced,” she says. “Marquette has really pushed me to see that I can create my own opportunities to be able to follow my passions.”
Raschke served as a Catholic camp counselor at Camp Wojtyla in Jamestown, Colorado, north of Boulder. With about 90 middle or high school students attending each week from across the country, Raschke guided groups and one-on-one mentees in spiritual exploration through high adventure activities with the goal to encounter creation in a radical way.
A pivotal part of her Marquette experience, she says, has been Excellence in Leadership (E-Lead), a two-and-a-half-year program dedicated to teaching students how to lead and innovate in the world once they get out into the workplace.
“It’s been life changing to not only learn a lot about myself and how I lead, but how I can effectively lead with others by leaning on their strengths,” says Raschke, who is also an executive at Blue and Gold Brewing, Marquette’s alumni-mentored student startup that specializes in Marquette-themed coffees and craft beers.
“Marquette has shaped not only my career path but also my faith and how I live in the world…as long as I keep moving towards my goals with intention and a heart for service, everything will be OK.”
“My fellow camp counselors were some of the most awesome, authentic Catholic college students that I’ve ever met. I learned so much from the community about what it looks like to live radically for the faith.”
Among the many possible paths now in front of her, Raschke says, she’s particularly interested in the role of biomedical engineering in women’s health. She says she could see herself at a company that uses AI in tandem with women’s natural cycles to improve fertility outcomes, for instance, or find solutions for uterine disorders.
“A lot of it traces back to my faith in terms of human dignity and seeing every single person as someone who deserves the same level of care,” she says. “And I love product development: being at the crux of working with developers and seeing the technical side, while also being with people, interacting with them, and seeing their needs.”
Raschke has advice for other students who want to make the most of Marquette: “Try everything,” she says. “If I see an adventure, I love to take it.”
She has certainly lived up to this, from leading the Biomedical Engineering Society and revitalizing its membership, to serving as a tutor and Marquette tour guide, to competing with and coaching the powerlifting team. Raschke’s experiences, including faculty-mentored research at MCW and an internship with GE HealthCare, have all been steps forward for her career and personal growth. Along the way, she says her packed schedule has been fueled by her faith.
Situated in the new Chapel of the Holy Family, Raschke is on Marquette’s music ministry leadership team and is one of the lead cantors for 9 p.m. Mass every Sunday. This photo was taken during the first Mass in the newly renovated chapel.
“At the end of the day, everything I do is intentional and for service for others,” she reflects. “It all brings me joy. Marquette has shaped not only my career path but also my faith and how I live in the world. I’ve learned that I don’t need to have my whole life figured out — as long as I keep moving towards my goals with intention and a heart for service, everything will be OK.”
