…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.