Student Spotlight: Anna Ellerkamp
Anna Ellerkamp is a senior in the Bachelor of University Studies program with a minor in Business Administration, graduating this spring. Originally from Mandan, North Dakota, Anna graduated high school in 2016 and spent several years at NDSU before taking a break during the shift to remote learning in 2020.
After returning to her academic journey, Anna worked closely with her advisor to create a flexible and efficient path toward completion of her degree. That planning allowed her to maximize the credits she had already earned while aligning her studies with her long-term goals in business and marketing. What began as a plan for a single bachelor’s degree has evolved into a pathway that will include a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and potentially multiple certificates.
Anna’s journey back to college was also a personal turning point. After stepping away from a demanding job that did not support her well-being, she decided to refocus on her education and career direction. Drawing on her past leadership experience in various management roles, she chose business administration as a foundation—an area that quickly reignited her motivation and sense of purpose.
Reflecting on her earlier college experience, Anna recognized that she had not been
as engaged or connected as she hoped. This time, she made a commitment to fully participate
in campus life. That decision led her to rejoin music through the campus band—building
on her lifelong experience playing trombone and euphonium—and to step outside her
comfort zone by joining the Esports team. Anna shared, “My teammates and I have a
lot of fun together, we work hard, we laugh a lot, and I just genuinely enjoy being
on the team with them. “ Both experiences have become meaningful parts of her college
life, providing community, collaboration, and enjoyment. 
In addition to her academic and campus involvement, Anna is gaining hands-on professional experience with Stellar Waterworks, a Dickinson-based environmental manufacturing startup specializing in water treatment equipment. In this role, she is able to apply classroom concepts directly to real-world marketing and business challenges, strengthening her skills and clarifying her career interests. She noted, “After working in many different industries over the past 10 years, I have gained a lot of life experience and work experience as well. I think that those experiences have made the topics discussed in class all the more engaging and valuable. It is really rewarding to apply the topics I am learning in class to real-world situations in real time.”
Through her academic work, campus engagement, and professional experience, Anna has developed a clear sense of direction. She now aspires to pursue a career in marketing management or direction within the video game industry, ideally combining her passion for gaming with her growing expertise in business and marketing.
Anna describes this chapter of her life as foundational—a time of growth, clarity, and renewed purpose as she prepares for what comes next.