{"id":12967,"date":"2025-10-07T09:31:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T14:31:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/?post_type=campus_story&p=12967"},"modified":"2025-10-07T09:31:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T14:31:27","slug":"the-power-of-justice","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/the-power-of-justice\/","title":{"rendered":"The Power of Justice"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

It started with the determination to find answers. Justice Saxby, a first-generation college student and UW\u2013Green Bay alumna of the Class of 2025, always had a unique way of seeing the world. \u201cI used to think that clouds were made from smokestacks,\u201d she recalled. \u201cI\u2019d think, \u2018Oh, they\u2019re making the clouds today.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

That early misunderstanding ignited a fire within that drove her to a decision; to gain a deeper awareness of the environment around her, extending far beyond air pollution.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started thinking, what do I want to leave behind? What are my nieces and nephews growing up with?\u201d Saxby says. \u201cThe environment is really the foundation of everything. People care about the economy and all that, but if the environment\u2019s not thriving, none of it survives.\u201d<\/p>\n

That mindset shaped her college search and ultimately led her to UW\u2013Green Bay.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t even know that\u00a0environmental science<\/a>\u00a0was a possible major for a while,\u201d she admits. Initially considering environmental engineering, her path became clearer after a campus visit. \u201cI toured Green Bay, and I was like, this is it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She began to think big and became future-focused, including a growing resolve to help fix what she felt was \u201cnot right\u201d in the world. That blend of curiosity, concern and responsibility stayed with her. She saw environmental science not just as a subject, but as a way to turn her values into action.<\/p>\n

Like many college students, Saxby began with a strong interest in environmental issues. It was in her experiences and discoveries along the way that revealed a clear idea of how that passion would translate into a major and a career.<\/p>\n

Savvy Saxby<\/h3>\n

For a first-generation college student, the\u00a0admissions<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0financial aid<\/a>\u00a0process can be daunting. Saxby successfully navigated this with the support of her family and UW\u2013Green Bay admissions counselor Meagan Manders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had actually met Justice during a visit to Kewaunee High School,\u201d recalls Manders. \u201cShe stood out right away\u2014she asked thoughtful questions about academics, cost and campus life. She really wanted to understand what she was getting into.\u201d<\/p>\n

Manders later surprised Saxby by attending her high school awards banquet to present UW-Green Bay\u2019s Byron L. Walter Scholarship. \u201cBeing able to present that scholarship to her in person was special,\u201d Manders says. \u201cIt\u2019s different when you meet students on their turf, where they\u2019re comfortable. You get to see who they are in their own space\u2014and with Justice, you could tell how much her family meant to her and how seriously she was taking this next step.\u201d<\/p>\n

The moment marked the beginning of a string of\u00a0scholarships<\/a>\u00a0that helped shape Saxby\u2019s college experience. In her sophomore year, she received the Carol L. DeGroote Scholarship\u2014whose namesake she keeps in touch with.\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s 92, and we still make time to get together,\u201d Saxby says. \u201cShe\u2019s amazing\u2014a role model.\u201d In her junior and senior years, Saxby was awarded the Science and Math Faculty Scholarship.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rooted and Rising<\/h3>\n

Scholarships were just the beginning. Saxby quickly began building on that foundation by securing a job in the Registrar\u2019s Office the summer before her freshman year\u2014just down the hall from Manders\u2019 office.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember walking past the registrar\u2019s office one day and doing a double take\u2014there she was, sitting at a computer,\u201d Manders recalls. \u201cI hadn\u2019t seen her in over a year, and suddenly she was part of the campus community. We\u2019d exchange little hellos and check-ins over the years,\u201d Manders remembers. \u201cIt was so cool to watch her grow\u2014not just as a student, but in confidence. You could tell she was exactly where she was supposed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

For many high school seniors and their families, the cost of college can feel like the biggest barrier. It was no different for Saxby, who knew that pursuing higher education would require both financial planning and support. Through the guidance of UW\u2013Green Bay\u2019s admissions and financial aid staff, she was able to navigate those concerns and uncover scholarship opportunities that made college not only possible\u2014but sustainable. With that foundation in place, Saxby began to build a college experience that reflected both her passions and her purpose.<\/p>\n

With her financial concerns eased and a sense of belonging taking root, Saxby began to take on roles that aligned with both her academic and personal interests: greenhouse attendant, science study lounge assistant, yoga instructor, and STEM ambassador.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cI got paid to talk to kids about science and why it\u2019s cool,\u201d Saxby says. \u201cAnd I got paid to water plants and plant seeds. It\u2019s kind of just like\u2014yes, it\u2019s work, but it\u2019s also what I love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back on her school\/life\/work balance, Saxby would encourage incoming students to look for on-campus jobs that offer flexibility and align with their goals. \u201cYou can work at the science study lounge, and they\u2019ll basically pay you to do your homework,\u201d she says. \u201cOr find jobs with perks\u2014like free coffee at the campus caf\u00e9. I always tell students\u2014look for jobs where you can merge what you love with what you need.\u201d<\/p>\n

These jobs weren\u2019t just about income\u2014they were about belonging.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I came in as a freshman, I had zero experience,\u201d Saxby says. \u201cSo I just started saying yes to things\u2014helping grad students, volunteering, working in the greenhouse. It wasn\u2019t just about getting paid; it was about building something that made me competitive for scholarships and future opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Manders agrees that, as a student, working on campus can be just as impactful as taking classes\u2014and that fellow employees and staff are often just as important as faculty. \u201cThe reason we work at UW\u2013Green Bay is because of students like Justice,\u201d Manders reflects. \u201cYou meet someone with potential, and you help them get started\u2014but then they take that opportunity and do incredible things with it. That\u2019s the story we get to be a small part of.\u201d<\/p>\n

On campus jobs and opportunities are also a great way to \u201ctest drive\u201d a major. Saxby\u00a0 explored her field through outdoor recreation trips and early research experiences. After a summer research opportunity following her freshman year, she briefly considered a shift away from research. It fueled her, and she continued to learn from her experiences. \u201cI remember being in my global climate change class and there was a documentary that reignited that research side of things,\u201d she says. \u201cThen I had two more research experiences, which really solidified that that was the route I wanted to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

That growth has led to her next chapter: graduate school. Saxby has been accepted into a graduate program at Utah State University, where she plans to continue her work in environmental science. She\u2019ll miss UW-Green Bay but looks forward to a change in scenery and work\/study scenarios.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be a bit warmer,\u201d she says. \u201cLogan [Utah] is at a higher elevation, so the summers are dry, and the winters aren\u2019t as harsh. I think it\u2019ll be a great place to keep growing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saxby\u2019s courageous decision to attend UW\u2013Green Bay empowered her to pursue her passion and deepen her commitment to environmental science and research. With the support of her family, professors, staff, co-workers and friends, she\u2019s continuing to rise. \u00a0Her head may still be in the clouds\u2014only now, it\u2019s in the pursuit of science.<\/p>\n

Post-Script: Justice Saxby\u2019s Top Tips for On-Campus Fun and Profit<\/h3>\n

How to earn money, gain experience \u00a0and maybe even score free coffee while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n

Justice Saxby is smart, savvy and happy to share her \u201cinside knowledge\u201d when it comes to being a Phoenix. Whether you\u2019re looking to build your resume, pay for textbooks, or just find a job that lets you do your homework on the clock, Saxby has been there\u2014and done all of it. Here are her top tips for making the most of on-campus jobs, internships, and research opportunities at UW\u2013Green Bay:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
    Start Early\u2014Even Before Classes Begin<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Saxby landed her first job at the Registrar\u2019s Office before her freshman year even started. \u201cI\u2019ve been there all four years,\u201d she says. \u201cIt helped me get comfortable on campus and gave me a head start.\u201d<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n
      Look for Jobs That Align with Your Major<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Working in the campus greenhouse or science study lounge wasn\u2019t just a paycheck\u2014it was a way to reinforce what she was learning in class.<\/p>\n

      \u201cIt\u2019s work, but it\u2019s also what I love,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n
        Don\u2019t Overlook \u201cOffice\u201d Jobs<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Jobs like working in the Registrar\u2019s Office or other student services departments offer stability, great experience, and a front-row seat to how the university runs. Plus, they look great on a resume.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \n
          Find the Perks<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Some jobs come with hidden benefits.<\/p>\n

          \u201cAt the science study lounge, they basically pay you to do your homework,\u201d Justice says. \u201cAnd if you work at the campus caf\u00e9, hello\u2014free coffee!\u201d<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \n
            Say Yes to Opportunities\u2014Even If You\u2019re Not Sure Yet<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Justice didn\u2019t wait for the \u201cperfect\u201d job.<\/p>\n

            \u201cI had zero experience when I started,\u201d she says. \u201cSo I just started saying yes to things\u2014helping grad students, volunteering, anything that gave me experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. \n
              Merge What You Love with What You Need<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              From yoga instructor to STEM ambassador, Justice found jobs that matched her passions.<\/p>\n

              \u201cYou\u2019re getting paid, but you\u2019re also gaining experience that looks great on a resume,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

              And from Meagan Manders\u2019 perspective, the key is simply to start asking:<\/p>\n

              \u201cIt can be overwhelming but find one person you feel comfortable with and just ask the question. That\u2019s the best way to advocate for yourself and get connected.\u201d<\/p>\n

              \n

              Written by Michael Shaw<\/p>\n

              Link to original story: https:\/\/news.uwgb.edu\/featured\/08\/14\/the-power-of-justice\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              It started with the determination to find answers. Justice Saxby, a first-generation college student and UW\u2013Green Bay alumna of the Class of 2025, always had a unique way of seeing the world. \u201cI used to think that clouds were made from smokestacks,\u201d she recalled. \u201cI\u2019d think, \u2018Oh, they\u2019re making the clouds today.\u2019\u201d That early misunderstanding […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":12968,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","institution":[111],"story_category":[],"class_list":["post-12967","campus_story","type-campus_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","institution-uw-green-bay"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story\/12967","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/campus_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12967"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12968"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"institution","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/institution?post=12967"},{"taxonomy":"story_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story_category?post=12967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}