MSU BILLINGS NEWS – Nova Rosman's four-year tenure at Montana State University Billings can be summed up by experiencing success in two areas: Indoors and outdoors.

Rosman was honored recently with the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leadership Award as this year's top graduating senior. She will also be the featured student speaker at the 99th MSU Billings Commencement on May 2.

Rosman was an athlete at Shepherd High School and was full-time in Cheer and Stunt Team at MSU Billings when she started in 2022.

Like many of her fellow graduates, she was challenged academically, learning more than she thought possible. But she also found out that she loved teaching as much as she did learning. A native of Shepherd, it all started when she joined the rejuvenated Yellowjacket cheer/stunt team as a freshman in 2022. She became captain, organizing the squad to be focused and to perform at their best during games.

Slight in stature and bold in spirit, her position on the roster is designate as "flyer," doing perfectly timed twists and turns for mid-air routines. All of that required her to be flexible, strong, and willing to push herself.  On the ground, and as captain, she embraced the teaching.

Nova Rosman, was a four-year captain of the MSU Billings Cheer and Stunt team.

"Whenever I helped someone do a crazy-cool basket catch, I thought to myself, 'I helped them do that!' and I felt genuinely good," she said.

For her Head Cheer and Stunt Coach, Caitlyn Saunders, Rosman's leadership stood out.

"Nova is so deserving of this recognition. She is a born leader in the classroom and on the court," Saunders said. "Her leadership in the cheer and stunt program has made my job as a coach easy. She is always willing to help out anywhere needed and go above and beyond for herself and her teammates. Nova holds her team to the same standard that she holds herself and continues to push everyone to be their absolute best. It has been the greatest gift to coach her through the entirety of her time at MSUB and watch her grow into such a wonderful, educated, leader and graduate." 

Academically, Rosman started her tenure at MSU Billings with a goal of learning biology and eventually doing education work at a national park. But when her natural love of the outdoors came up in a conversation with an Advising Center specialist, she connected she moved over to the Outdoor Adventure Leadership program.

The MSU Billings Outdoor Adventure Leadership program led Rosman to a variety of places, including the canyonlands outside of Moab, Utah.

The degree program combines the study of educational and leadership theory and practice with technical outdoor travel and adventure. Students enhance environmental skills and knowledge related to a variety of populations—including senior citizens and youth at risk—and explore issues ranging from ethical controversies and risk management to program design. 

Rosman knew that the program would be more than memorizing concepts and repeating them on paper—something she was used to in high school. It was about displaying the knowledge in outdoor settings and even teaching that knowledge to others.

That meant she helped prepare others before doing complex climbing maneuvers on the Rimrocks just north of campus; guiding others on canyon trips near Moab, Utah; and reinforcing no-trace principles with fellow students on multi-day outdoor experiences.

"It was a different way of learning; I was learning in the way of teaching and leading," Rosman said. "I learned far more than what I did in high school. This was far more fulfilling."

A calm and comfortable leadership accompanied Rosman wherever she went, faculty members said.

As a student, she worked hard to contribute her best to coursework, classroom discussion, and positive group dynamics, said Ryan Butler, an assistant professor in the Outdoor Adventure Leadership program.

"Her work was always top-tier," Butler said. "I could always count on her to help out where we need, and it never seemed like a burden for her." 

Rosman was a teaching assistant on field experience trips.

Most recently, Rosman was a teaching assistant for Butler for one of the program's signature field courses, a week-long trip to the Moab area. Equal parts fun and demanding, the field course means long days preparing and delivering leadership and skill development programs, Butler said.

"I was struck by how professional Nova was in leading her peers, offering very insightful and thorough feedback, and demonstrating all the competencies we strive to teach in our program. The leadership team on this trip was exhausted, but she never showed it and remained a model leader throughout the nine days," he said.  

Outside of the classroom, Rosman demonstrated a willingness to get involved with outdoor adventure industry and build connections. She worked with Kampgrounds of America (KOA) and Leave No Trace, and joined the board of directors with the Wilderness Education Association as a student representative. 

In the fall of 2025, Rosman was among 14 Montana college students recognized by the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement for volunteer work.

Whether indoors or outdoors, the arc of Rosman's leadership development bent toward positive outcomes.

"There was so much overlap," she said. "Both (cheering and outdoor adventure leadership) both helped me be better at each one. It was cool for me to be able to help when I could."

All her accomplishments and being able to talk about her leadership philosophy at Commencement have been noticed.

"Nova is very deserving of this honor," said Michael Bazemore, Athletic Director at MSU Billings. "Her commitment to both her academics and athletics is remarkable and we are extremely proud of the leader she is/has grown into. This is a huge accomplishment, and Nova is a great ambassador for our institution."

The "crazy-cool" experiences meant just as much to her faculty mentors as it did to Rosman.

 "Her leadership and presence set a new standard for our program," Butler said. "We're so proud of her accomplishments, and she'll be missed around here, but we're excited to see what lies ahead for her."  

What lies ahead is a road of opportunity.  Starting this summer, Nova will be doing marketing work for Camp Ocean Pines, an overnight summer camp for youth in California.