RILE Connect
A statewide, open-source digital platform making Colorado's STEM ecosystem visible, navigable, and accessible
About the Project
RILE Connect — the Reciprocal Integrated Learning Ecosystem — is a statewide, open-source digital platform initiative designed to make the Colorado STEM ecosystem visible, navigable, and accessible. With grant support now awarded, the project is entering its initial implementation phase, focused on building shared digital infrastructure that will enable learners, educators, and partner organizations to discover opportunities and coordinate across sectors.
Why Now?
Colorado is actively investing in digital transformation to modernize how public services, education, and workforce systems serve residents. As demand for STEM talent accelerates, educators and students are navigating rapid changes in technology, workforce expectations, and access to opportunity.
Beginning the digital transformation of the STEM ecosystem at this moment ensures that innovation is not limited to a few institutions or urban centers but connected through a shared statewide network that includes rural, frontier, and community-based organizations.
RILE Connect responds to this moment by initiating the development of a transparent, public-facing digital platform that will strengthen classroom-to-career pathways and ensure geography is no longer a barrier to participation in Colorado’s STEM future.
Beyond Higher Education
While RILE Connect is housed at Metropolitan State University of Denver, it is not limited to higher education. RILE Connect is intentionally designed as a lifelong STEM pathway platform, supporting learners and educators across career stages.
Long-term Beneficiaries
- K-12 students and educators discovering STEM programs, mentors, and classroom-connected opportunities
- Postsecondary students accessing research, internships, and workforce-aligned learning experiences
- Educators seeking professional development, collaborators, and industry connections
- Industry and workforce partners connecting with future talent and education partners
- Community organizations and nonprofits expanding reach and collaboration
SIPA Grant Impact
Receiving grant support from the Colorado Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) enables RILE Connect to move from planning and coordination into active development as a statewide, public-facing digital service.
With this grant, RILE Connect will be developed for statewide availability, serving communities across Colorado. While initial implementation focuses on Colorado, the platform is intentionally designed to scale and replicate, allowing other regions to adopt and adapt the system over time. Its open-source architecture supports long-term sustainability and positions RILE Connect for potential use beyond Colorado.
Project Leadership
Faculty Leadership
Principal Investigator:
- Dr. Ranjidha Rajan, Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Co-Principal Investigators:
- Dr. Daniel Pittman, Associate Professor of Computer Science
- Dr. Janelle Johnson, Professor in STEM Education
Project Team
- Undergraduate students engaged in paid research and development roles (web, mobile, data, AI)
- Educators and ecosystem partners contributing to requirements, feedback, and opportunities
- Industry and nonprofit collaborators supporting mentorship and workforce alignment
Students are not just users—they are co-builders, gaining hands-on experience in civic technology, cloud systems, and applied AI while contributing to a platform designed to serve the public good.
Design Principles
RILE Connect is guided from the outset by five core design principles that shape how the platform will be built and how it is intended to serve communities across Colorado:
- Transparency - Open, visible systems and decision-making
- Trust - Building confidence through reliable, secure infrastructure
- Accessibility - Ensuring all users can participate regardless of ability or location
- Participation - Enabling active engagement from all stakeholders
- Replicability - Open-source, modular design that can be adapted by other regions
Project Timeline
Grant Duration: 24 months (January 2026 - December 2027)
Year 1: Foundation
- Web platform development
- Core infrastructure and data systems
- Initial partner onboarding
Year 2: Expansion
- Mobile application development
- Statewide outreach and adoption
- Training and capacity building
- Sustainability planning
Student Involvement
Students participating in RILE Connect gain experience in:
- Web and Mobile Application Development - Building the platform interface
- Cloud Infrastructure - Working with modern cloud systems
- Database Design and Optimization - Managing data infrastructure
- Network Visualization - Creating interactive partnership maps
- User Experience Design - UI/UX prototyping and testing
- Applied AI - Building recommendation and matching systems
- Civic Technology - Understanding how technology serves public good
Impact
RILE Connect prioritizes making STEM opportunities visible and easier to navigate while reducing geographic and institutional barriers through an inclusive, user-centered digital system. The platform will:
- Connect underserved communities with STEM opportunities
- Strengthen mentorship networks across education levels
- Support equity-focused workforce development
- Build sustainable partnerships between education and industry
- Enable rural, frontier, and community-based organizations to participate in Colorado’s STEM future
Interested in contributing to RILE Connect? Contact Dr. Ranjidha Rajan at rranjidh@msudenver.edu for more information about research opportunities.