University Communications and Marketing

November 25, 2015 

Contacts:

Kelli Grantham, 896-5817
University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

Senior Molly Markus received Nov. 9 the Rising Star Award from the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, also known as the NASPA Foundation, headquartered in Washington D.C. As part of Markus’ award, she was invited to the organization’s recent conference in Oakland, Cali.

Story and photos by political science student Blair Koch, intern with University Communications and Marketing 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES —  A student walks into the Student Life and Auxiliary Services, of which Molly Markus is manning the desk. A lanky male undergrad expresses his concern to Markus in hushed tones and she replies with confidence and a smile, “I’ll see what I can do.”

Markus is a MSUB senior working toward a double major in marketing and management and is interning with the college’s Student Life and Auxiliary Service office. After graduation she intends on pursuing a master’s degree in student affairs and says her sights are set on one day becoming a university dean of students or even a chancellor.

For her excellence in service, Markus was awarded a Rising Star Award from the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, also known as the NASPA Foundation headquartered in Washington D.C. As part of Markus’ award she was invited to the organization’s recent conference in Oakland, California.

Markus was recognized for her service to others, outstanding leadership skills and her significant contribution to MSUB by helping to plan programs and activities that benefit students.

Kelli Grantham, with the MSUB Office for Community Involvement, was one of several staff members to nominate Markus. Grantham, who also sits on the NASPA Region V Board, said Markus has proven herself to be a valuable team member whom has a bright future in the field.

Not only did Markus step up and complete critical tasks earlier this year, the undergrad is showing growing confidence and an apt skill set, Grantham said.

Interim Dean of Students Jeff Rosenberry also saw fit to nominate Markus. Rosenberry is a 2007 recipient of the NASPA Rising Star award from his undergraduate career at Central Washington University.

“Molly is one of the best student leaders I’ve worked with at MSUB. She’s caring and dependable and is very genuine in the way she interacts with students,” Rosenberry said.

Markus said she may not have found her career path, let alone won the award, if it hadn’t been for coming back to MSUB.

After starting her college career at MSU Bozeman, Markus came back to her home town of Billings after injuring her back. Although she still has trouble with pain, enrolling in MSUB has been a silver lining.

“It’s actually worked out better being at MSUB,” Markus said. “I love being in smaller classes, where the instructor notices if you’re gone. You get more interaction with your instructors here and you get more out of your classes.”

Markus said the smaller atmosphere also helped her find a “university family” and work niche that made it easier to dip her toes into her desired career field.

Since she had experience as a resident advisor at Bozeman, she called Rosenberry and the pieces came together in getting her a job on campus.

“So many things have come together here and I’ve felt so much more connected,” Markus said. “I think a lot of students feel the grass is greener but sometimes the grass is greener right here. You have to look at quality versus quantity and MSUB definitely has the quality.”

Markus and Rosenberry aren’t the only Billings notables to have been given the NASPA title; in 2014, MSUB undergrad Thomas Staffileno was presented with the Rising Star Award.

PHOTO: Top Photo: Kelli Grantham, left, and Molly Markus discuss business at the Housing and Residential Services Office on the MSUB campus.

Second Photo: MSU Billings student Molly Markus received the 2015 NASPA Region V Undergraduate Student Rising Star Award during the Western Regional Conference held Nov. 9 in Oakland, Calif.