UWGB Transformed Nicole by…

…letting her lead.

In no uncertain terms, Nicole Vaux is a leader, but she knew that leadership is meant to serve others, not oneself.

“I found my voice, my identity, my strength, and my love of learning at UWGB,” Nicole says. “Through my engagement with UWGB leadership organizations, I strengthened my character and sense of purpose to improve the lives of teenagers through secondary education, and I learned of my love for service.”

Many on-campus leadership experiences helped strengthen Nicole’s character, molding her into a future leader of others. She recalls her role as an executive member of SGAs Executive Board, her tenure as a Resident Assistant, her service for the Black Student Union, and her term as editor for the Sheepshead Review in facilitating her process from student to visionary. And Nicole has many UWGB faculty members to thank.

“Rebecca Meacham introduced my love of the Harlem Renaissance and impacted my life as a literature teacher and advisor of literature magazines, and Aeron Haynie helped develop my love of critiquing poetry and literature and analyzing text through multiple lenses,” Nicole explains. “I remember Grant Winslow and his love of working with students to help make their college experience unique, fun, and memorable, and James Coates for the work we did mentoring students of color in area middle and high schools.”

Post graduation, Nicole continued her service as a secondary education English teacher, coach, and advisor of SGA, school newspaper, and school magazine. Being a true believer in the power of education, Nicole recently earned her Ph.D. In Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of Alabama, following a Master’s and Educational Specialists degrees in Educational Leadership.

“I’ll never forget the rich experiences I gained at UWGB, and I’ll apply them when I begin my professoriate in the fall,” she asserts.

After UWGB allowed Nicole to be a leader, it sounds like Dr. Vaux is just getting started.

Name: Nicole Vaux

Grad Year: 2003

Major: English

Minor: Secondary Education and History

 

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

Melanie with her students

UWGB Transformed Melanie by…

…bringing Germany to Green Bay.

Melanie Lasee (nee Froelich) started learning German at a time when she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life. “I knew I wanted to be a teacher or work in a school,” Melanie explains, “and I tried math because I always loved it in high school, but that wasn’t it. I tried counseling and liked most of my professors, but that wasn’t doing it either. I decided to take a January interim class, German 1, and I immediately loved it.”

Of course, like many UWGB alumni, one mentor was especially influential for Melanie, and that mentor was Herr Doktor Werner Prange.

“Herr Doktor Werner Prange most impacted me during my time at UWGB,” Melanie says. “Herr Prange was so interesting, engaging, and funny, and the class was held in a non-traditional classroom. I did really well. Herr Prange suggested I try the German Intensive Workshop, and I did and I was hooked.” Eventually, Herr Prange facilitated an experiential learning trip to Germany, a trip that Melanie says simply brought the German language to life.

“He took us to Germany and showed us so many amazing places. We went to Fascing and Oktoberfest celebrations hosted by the German American Society of Green Bay. We visited 26 cities in 28 days, and it was the most amazing trip of my life,” Melanie explains.

But Herr Prange’s guidance didn’t end there: “He helped me plan my semester in Germany, so that I could get my teaching license,” asserts Melanie. “If I had never taken that first German class and met Herr Prange, I have no idea where I would be today.”

Not surprisingly, Melanie is a successful German teacher and takes her students to Germany on a regular basis, following in the footsteps of Herr Prange.

Name: Melanie (Froelich) Lasee

Grad Year: 1996

Major: German

Minor: Secondary Education

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Angela by…

…helping her help others.

When Angela Bub started her freshman year at UWGB, she was undecided as to what to do with her life. But she found a sense of belonging in Zeta Omega Tau, the Sheepshead Review and Habitat for Humanity.

“By becoming connected with older students, I was able to become more engaged in school,” she said. “In doing so, I significantly raised my GPA and found my passions: helping others and writing.” Angela asserts that these organizations not only provided her with a purpose, they also transformed her into a well-rounded individual who thrived in the interdisciplinary setting that UWGB offered.

Angela credits Karen Bircher, Mike Stearney, and Rebecca Meacham as role models throughout her academic career, fueling her passion for helping others. Ultimately, Angela parlayed this inspiration into a career in education and now works as a therapist in a non-public school in Oakland, California, helping those in need. She is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work, an accomplishment she never could have imagined without UWGB’s help.

“My UWGB experience transformed me and the foundation of my educational career. These organizations [Zeta Omega Tau, the Sheepshead Review, and the Humane Society] impacted me in countless ways and have shaped who I am as a person today,” Angela says.

Name: Angela Bub
Grad Year: 2012
Major: English
Minor: Secondary and Human Development

Photo submitted by: Angela Bub

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Natalie by…

…motivating her to be a marathoner, not a couch potato.

“Entering college, I was a scared and timid 18-year-old,” says Natalie Salkowski, “but I left a confident woman. Being involved as a Resident Assistant, at the Kress as a Fitness Instructor, and in the Professional Program in Education developed me into a strong young woman who could fearlessly face the world.”Amanda and friends post race

Helping her along the way were Chrisanna Coletta and Laura Vietmeyer, Natalie’s mentors and supervisors during her time as an RA and Fitness Instructor.  “Laura has inspired me to always reach for all of my dreams no matter how lofty. Chrisanna now lives further away, but I am still glad to call her a friend as well,” Natalie says. “She helped me so much to grow into myself and to be true to who I really am. Her advice and friendship helped me in more ways than I can explain.”

During her time as a Resident Assistant, Natalie recalls having “an amazing staff to work with every single year.” Whether it meant putting on programs or simply spending quality time with each other, Natalie says, “It was a ton of fun to relax every night after class and be ridiculous with a group of people who were only there to be kind and not to judge.”

As a lover of fitness and exercise, Natalie also discovered a love of running while at UWGB. “I would run in the arboretum after class as a stress reliever that grew into a new passion. This passion grew into members of the Kress staff inspiring me to run in the Green Bay 1/2 Marathon as a junior. Once I did, I was hooked. The day after I graduated in 2013, I ran in the Green Bay Full Marathon and did so last year as well. With the love and support of my UWGB family, I was transformed from a couch potato to a marathoner.”

Ultimately, it was this blend of academic and personal experience that allowed Natalie to flourish as a person. “I discovered through all of these activities my love of leadership, fitness, and learning. It has made me a better teacher at the school I work at, a better coach, and a good role model for all of my students,” Natalie says. “The people I have met at UWGB have surely shaped me into the person I am today and have made me a better person.”

Name: Natalie Salkowski
Grad Year: 2013
Major: Biology
Minor: Secondary Education

Photos submitted by: Natalie Salkowski

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.