May 11, 2025

Leadership, community and curiosity have shaped this senior’s journey to a future in tech.

May 12, 2024
Contact: Eric Stann, StannE@missouri.edu
Photos by Mary Dillon and Zac Anderson

When University of Missouri senior Eli Bollinger was deciding where to go for college, he wasn’t just looking for a classroom — he was looking for a launchpad.

With a financial aid package in hand, Bollinger thought Mizzou was a great place to go. But what really won him over was the energy on campus. It felt like a place he could truly belong.

“I wanted to be able to make connections with people from different majors and different life experiences,” he said. “At Mizzou, I found that.”

This weekend, Bollinger will graduate from Mizzou’s College of Engineering with a degree in computer science, along with a math minor and cybersecurity certificate. And while his academic work provided the foundation for his success, he said his most formative experiences happened outside the classroom.

Building a community

Over the past four years, Bollinger didn’t just study computer science — he lived it, and not just through code.

While balancing academics and multiple executive-level roles with several student organizations, Bollinger discovered what truly drives success: people.

“Classes give you the tools,” he said. “But clubs are where you learn how to use them. You learn to plan, collaborate, manage timelines, work with others — real skills that can be applied in any workplace.”

From hosting campus events to leading Bible study groups, Bollinger built more than a resume. He built a network of friends and a sense of purpose.

“Find a group that reflects your values,” he said. “Surround yourself with the kind of people you want to be.”

For Bollinger, it wasn’t always easy. Between a rigorous academic schedule and club commitments, burnout hit him hard during his junior year. But he also learned at that moment to step back, recharge and refocus.

From hobby to career

Long before he set foot on Mizzou’s campus, Bollinger’s passion for computer science started with blinking lights and circuit boards.

“I got into maker stuff in middle school — Arduinos kits and DIY electronics,” he said. “My dad introduced me to it, and I picked up programming as a hobby without realizing what it would become.”

By the time he reached high school, coding felt like second nature. Taking Advanced Placement computer science wasn’t a challenge — it was a continuation of what he was already doing for fun. And choosing computer science as his major in college was the next logical step.

“It always came naturally to me,” he said. “I didn’t even think too hard about it — it was already part of who I was.”

What really drew him in, though, was the freedom, as Bollinger realized computer science isn’t just a career path, it’s a creative tool that spans every industry.

“My dad works for a fruit tree company, and he manages their IT — website, inventory systems, all of it,” he said. “It’s cool to see how he combined his love for gardening with tech. That blend of passion and practicality is something I’ve always valued.”

It’s a mindset Bollinger is carrying into his own future.

“One of the biggest reasons I chose computer science is how broad it is,” he said. “You’re not locked into one path — it’s about creating a career that can grow with you.”

Next stop: Mastercard

After he graduates, Bollinger will start his next chapter as a software engineer at Mastercard in O’Fallon, Missouri. He was offered the job almost a year before graduation — proof of the power of preparation.

His role within Mastercard’s data platform and engineering services group will likely be in data engineering, a field he hadn’t originally considered.

“I don’t have much experience in it, but I’m looking at it as a chance to grow,” he said. “Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you don’t expect.”

While the next chapter takes him beyond Mizzou, he’s not leaving it behind.

“I definitely want to stay connected through alumni networks,” he said. “Mizzou has been such a big part of my life — and I’m not done being a part of it.”

This story was originally published by Show Me Mizzou.