Success Profile Erika Ellison

Leading on All Fronts: How One SFU Grad is Merging Military Service with an Accounting Career  

From student-athlete to emerging business professional and Army officer, 2nd Lieutenant Erika Ellison is a Saint Francis University graduate whose career journey is rooted in discipline, ambition, and a desire to serve. A native of Washington State, Erika came to SFU to play lacrosse—and left five years later with not only two degrees but also a clear sense of direction.

Erika graduated in 2023 with a B.S. in Accounting and completed her MBA with a Concentration in Leadership and Ethical Management in 2024. Along the way, she discovered ROTC, served as a campus leader, and laid the foundation for a promising career in government-focused accounting.

Choosing SFU—and a Career Path

Erika first connected with SFU through lacrosse recruiting, but it was the small community and natural beauty of campus that convinced her to stay. “It felt like a place I could grow, both personally and professionally,” she said.

She began her college journey with an interest in marine biology but found herself drawn to accounting through her core classes. “I realized I liked structure, organization, and problem-solving. Accounting just clicked for me,” she explained.

A Leader on Campus

While pursuing her academic goals, Erika remained deeply involved in the SFU community. She was a Student-Athlete Mentor, a Student Government senator, and served as Company Commander in her ROTC battalion during her senior year. She also competed on the Red Flash women’s lacrosse team for five seasons, taking advantage of a fifth year of eligibility while earning her MBA.

“It wasn’t always easy,” she said of balancing competing interests, “but I found that when your goals are meaningful to you, the effort is worth it.”

Professional Goals in Government Accounting

Erika complemented her education with real-world experience as an audit intern with Kearney & Company, a firm specializing in federal government contracts. During her time there, she contributed to projects auditing the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and served as a campus ambassador, helping connect other SFU students to similar opportunities.

She plans to return to the firm in a full-time role following her current military training, with a focus on continuing to support public sector clients. “I liked the mission-driven side of government work,” she noted. “It felt like a way to continue serving—even on the civilian side.”

Military Service and Commitment to Others

Though Erika hadn’t initially planned to join the military, conversations with fellow student-athletes in her first year led her to ROTC—and eventually to a commission in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. She was selected for the Medical Service Corps and is currently completing officer and aviation training as part of her duties.

Erika is currently completing the Common Core phase of flight school at Fort Novosel in Alabama, where she is learning to fly the UH-72A Lakota—the foundational aircraft for all Army aviators. Once she graduates from this phase, she will advance to specialized training on the UH-60 Black Hawk, the Army’s primary aircraft for medical evacuation missions.

She is training to become a Medical Evacuation Officer (67J). The role involves leadership and logistics, with a focus on transporting patients to care in emergency situations. "I've always felt a strong drive to help people in need. While my path didn’t lead me to become a doctor or nurse, serving as a medevac officer allows me to fulfill that purpose in a different but vital way,” she said. “I may not provide lifesaving treatment, but I’m responsible for getting patients to the care they need, and provide a sense of hope in times that are dire."

Her service in the National Guard allows her to pursue both military and civilian career paths simultaneously—something she views as the best of both worlds.

Looking Ahead

After flight school, Erika plans to return to Pennsylvania to begin her accounting career and drill with her Guard unit in Johnstown, just a short drive from the SFU campus. She hopes to return for alumni events and possibly mentor future students.

“My time at Saint Francis gave me the tools to lead, to adapt, and to give back,” she said. “It’s where I figured out who I am and what I’m capable of.”

As she continues her journey—both in uniform and in the business world—Erika Ellison remains grounded in service, purpose, and a strong Red Flash foundation.