Dave Ellis is the author of the best-selling college textbook in North America titled, “Becoming a Master Student.” He is the founder and past president of College Survival, Inc., which is an educational consulting business. He is also the founder and President of The Brande Foundation which he started in 1987 and through which he has given away millions of dollars. The largest project of The Brande Foundation is to provide life coaching at no charge to leaders of non-profit organizations.

Dave's newest book is “Falling Awake”, which assists people to wake up to what they want in their lives, their ability to get it, and what a wonderful life they already have. He conducts workshops at the Baker Park Retreat Center on topics ranging from becoming an effective life coach to creating individual life plans.

For six years Ellis taught computer programming at the college level and also taught a course he designed on being successful in college. He has a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science and Psychology, a Masters Degree in Computer Science, and work on a Ph.D. in Psychology. He has four daughters, and he and his wife live in the Black Hills of South Dakota.