In 2019, Anka was accepted into the interior design program at Iowa State University and served as a student leader at St. Thomas Aquinas in Ames, IA. Later that semester, she was invited to redesign the student lounge. Collaborating with a team of professional architects, interior designers, and resident parishioners volunteers, Anka led the effort to ensure the space catered to student needs.

Anka began by surveying students to understand their preferences for the lounge. Based on the feedback, she selected a modern color scheme with Iowa State hues and opted for flexible furniture to accommodate various activities. Despite delays due to COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, the project resumed in the fall. Anka worked with a campus minister to raise funds, organizing a t-shirt fundraiser that exceeded their $2,000 goal.

Through numerous Zoom meetings and emails and overcoming various barriers, the lounge was completed in October 2021. The result is a vibrant, student-focused space reflecting the spirit of STA. Anka is proud to have served her community, collaborated with talented individuals, and gained valuable real-world experience in a space she used herself.