It started with the determination to find answers. Justice Saxby, a first-generation college student and UW–Green Bay alumna of the Class of 2025, always had a unique way of seeing the world. “I used to think that clouds were made from smokestacks,” she recalled. “I’d think, ‘Oh, they’re making the clouds today.’”
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.
“I started thinking, what do I want to leave behind? What are my nieces and nephews growing up with?” Saxby says. “The environment is really the foundation of everything. People care about the economy and all that, but if the environment’s not thriving, none of it survives.”
That mindset shaped her college search and ultimately led her to UW–Green Bay.
“I didn’t even know that environmental science was a possible major for a while,” she admits. Initially considering environmental engineering, her path became clearer after a campus visit. “I toured Green Bay, and I was like, this is it.”
She began to think big and became future-focused, including a growing resolve to help fix what she felt was “not right” 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.
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.
Savvy Saxby
For a first-generation college student, the admissions and financial aid process can be daunting. Saxby successfully navigated this with the support of her family and UW–Green Bay admissions counselor Meagan Manders.
“I had actually met Justice during a visit to Kewaunee High School,” recalls Manders. “She stood out right away—she asked thoughtful questions about academics, cost and campus life. She really wanted to understand what she was getting into.”
Manders later surprised Saxby by attending her high school awards banquet to present UW-Green Bay’s Byron L. Walter Scholarship. “Being able to present that scholarship to her in person was special,” Manders says. “It’s different when you meet students on their turf, where they’re comfortable. You get to see who they are in their own space—and with Justice, you could tell how much her family meant to her and how seriously she was taking this next step.”
The moment marked the beginning of a string of scholarships that helped shape Saxby’s college experience. In her sophomore year, she received the Carol L. DeGroote Scholarship—whose namesake she keeps in touch with.
“She’s 92, and we still make time to get together,” Saxby says. “She’s amazing—a role model.” In her junior and senior years, Saxby was awarded the Science and Math Faculty Scholarship.
Rooted and Rising
Scholarships were just the beginning. Saxby quickly began building on that foundation by securing a job in the Registrar’s Office the summer before her freshman year—just down the hall from Manders’ office.
“I remember walking past the registrar’s office one day and doing a double take—there she was, sitting at a computer,” Manders recalls. “I hadn’t seen her in over a year, and suddenly she was part of the campus community. We’d exchange little hellos and check-ins over the years,” Manders remembers. “It was so cool to watch her grow—not just as a student, but in confidence. You could tell she was exactly where she was supposed to be.”
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–Green Bay’s admissions and financial aid staff, she was able to navigate those concerns and uncover scholarship opportunities that made college not only possible—but sustainable. With that foundation in place, Saxby began to build a college experience that reflected both her passions and her purpose.
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.
“I got paid to talk to kids about science and why it’s cool,” Saxby says. “And I got paid to water plants and plant seeds. It’s kind of just like—yes, it’s work, but it’s also what I love.”
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. “You can work at the science study lounge, and they’ll basically pay you to do your homework,” she says. “Or find jobs with perks—like free coffee at the campus café. I always tell students—look for jobs where you can merge what you love with what you need.”
These jobs weren’t just about income—they were about belonging.
“When I came in as a freshman, I had zero experience,” Saxby says. “So I just started saying yes to things—helping grad students, volunteering, working in the greenhouse. It wasn’t just about getting paid; it was about building something that made me competitive for scholarships and future opportunities.”
Manders agrees that, as a student, working on campus can be just as impactful as taking classes—and that fellow employees and staff are often just as important as faculty. “The reason we work at UW–Green Bay is because of students like Justice,” Manders reflects. “You meet someone with potential, and you help them get started—but then they take that opportunity and do incredible things with it. That’s the story we get to be a small part of.”
On campus jobs and opportunities are also a great way to “test drive” a major. Saxby 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. “I remember being in my global climate change class and there was a documentary that reignited that research side of things,” she says. “Then I had two more research experiences, which really solidified that that was the route I wanted to go.”
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’ll miss UW-Green Bay but looks forward to a change in scenery and work/study scenarios.
“It’ll be a bit warmer,” she says. “Logan [Utah] is at a higher elevation, so the summers are dry, and the winters aren’t as harsh. I think it’ll be a great place to keep growing.”
Saxby’s courageous decision to attend UW–Green 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’s continuing to rise. Her head may still be in the clouds—only now, it’s in the pursuit of science.
Post-Script: Justice Saxby’s Top Tips for On-Campus Fun and Profit
How to earn money, gain experience and maybe even score free coffee while you’re at it.
Justice Saxby is smart, savvy and happy to share her “inside knowledge” when it comes to being a Phoenix. Whether you’re 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—and done all of it. Here are her top tips for making the most of on-campus jobs, internships, and research opportunities at UW–Green Bay:
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Start Early—Even Before Classes Begin
Saxby landed her first job at the Registrar’s Office before her freshman year even started. “I’ve been there all four years,” she says. “It helped me get comfortable on campus and gave me a head start.”
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Look for Jobs That Align with Your Major
Working in the campus greenhouse or science study lounge wasn’t just a paycheck—it was a way to reinforce what she was learning in class.
“It’s work, but it’s also what I love,” she says.
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Don’t Overlook “Office” Jobs
Jobs like working in the Registrar’s 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.
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Find the Perks
Some jobs come with hidden benefits.
“At the science study lounge, they basically pay you to do your homework,” Justice says. “And if you work at the campus café, hello—free coffee!”
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Say Yes to Opportunities—Even If You’re Not Sure Yet
Justice didn’t wait for the “perfect” job.
“I had zero experience when I started,” she says. “So I just started saying yes to things—helping grad students, volunteering, anything that gave me experience.”
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Merge What You Love with What You Need
From yoga instructor to STEM ambassador, Justice found jobs that matched her passions.
“You’re getting paid, but you’re also gaining experience that looks great on a resume,” she says.
And from Meagan Manders’ perspective, the key is simply to start asking:
“It can be overwhelming but find one person you feel comfortable with and just ask the question. That’s the best way to advocate for yourself and get connected.”
Written by Michael Shaw
Link to original story: https://news.uwgb.edu/featured/08/14/the-power-of-justice/