Leslie Haas

1966 - 2021

Leslie Haas
September 18, 1966 - June 10, 2021
Wichita, Kansas - Leslie Haas was passionate about lifelong learning, and her career was focused on making learning easier for others.
Leslie's specialty was building Learning Commons, a place she called a "sandbox" a place where students can try new equipment, experiment, and build community.
After traveling the country – and the globe – both professionally and personally, Haas found familiarity in her new home in the center of the United States.
Leslie came to FHSU from Statesboro, Ga., where she served as head of the Research Services Department for Georgia Southern University Libraries since 2017. Prior to that, she built Learning Commons areas in libraries at both Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates and Loyola University in Chicago.
She was born in Sacramento, CA and grew up in Idaho and was working on her doctorate online from the University of Liverpool, England.
•2016 University of Liverpool - In progress: Ed.D
•2010 M.Ed. Loyola University Chicago, School of Education
•1989 M.L.S. University of Arizona, Graduate Library School
•1988 B.B.A. Boise State University, College of Business
•1984 Borah High School, Boise, ID
Leslie first got interested in libraries as a child when she discovered "the research process fascinated me."
Following high school, she stayed in-state to work on her bachelor's degree at Boise State University, then earned a master's in library science from the University of Arizona, and a master's in education from Loyola University in Chicago.
"I feel fortunate my parents never put limits on where I could live, and learn," she said. Her experiences range from business reference librarian to numerous leadership roles in Texas, Ohio, Utah and the Middle East.
"What's rewarding for me is that 'ah-ha' moment, when it clicks," she said, "when someone sees the fruits of their research."
Leslie is survived by her parents Nancy & Wayne Haas (Boise), sister Elena Mathis (Hollywood) & niece Jessica Mathis (Hollywood), brother Paul Haas (Boise) & nephew Bodhi Haas. She passed away at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS.
Leslie asked that any donations be made to a shelter that she'd adopted years ago and contributed to regularly: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - Kanab, UT https://bestfriends.org/sanctuary
Cremation was handled by Downing & Lahey of Wichita, KS. There are no services planned at this time, as requested.