Photos by University Photographer, Dan Moore.
Jessica Plascencia was ready to break free. She believed success meant leaving Green Bay behind—and in 2017, she did just that, choosing UW–Oshkosh for its distance and her independence. It wasn’t far on the map, but for Plascencia, a first-generation college student, that hour-long drive was a radical act of courage—a leap of faith toward her desire for “something bigger.” A chance to turn the page and start writing her future on her own terms.
A Professional Pivot
Plascencia’s path to graduate school wasn’t always clear—but a conversation with a classmate helped spark the idea.
“I remember asking a classmate, ‘Have you heard of graduate school? Are you doing that?’ I didn’t know what it was at the time. She was also a psychology major and said, ‘Oh yeah, I’m definitely going.’ That’s when I started looking into it seriously.”
She graduated from UW–Oshkosh in 2021 with a double major in psychology and Spanish, plus a minor in Social Justice. That same year, she made a pivotal decision: to enter UW–Green Bay’s Master of Social Work program immediately after undergrad.
Initially, she had her sights set on the counseling program at Marquette University. “I was really set on Marquette for a while. I even accepted their offer to join the counseling program. But when I thought about the cost, the move, and whether counseling was really what I wanted to do, it started to feel like too much.”
Ultimately, she changed course—and found a better fit, this time with Green Bay in her sites. “I realized I wanted something broader, more flexible. That’s why I chose social work.”
Turns out UW-Green Bay was the only school she applied to specifically for social work—and it proved to be the right choice.
“Social work felt like the right path because it’s so broad. If I ever decide I don’t want to do clinical work, I can still pivot into something else.
It’s a very transferable degree.”
Her decision to switch her graduate school path was also shaped by practical considerations.
“One of the biggest differences between a counseling degree and a social work degree is that counseling programs focus primarily on developing clinical skills and techniques to provide therapy. In contrast, social work programs prepare students through clinical practice, while incorporating trainings related to advocacy, resource coordination, social justice, and societal structures.”
“At Green Bay, my foundational classes were rooted in advocacy and community work. That shaped how I approach therapy—which can differ from the lens a colleague with counseling training might use.”
Building on that foundation, she moved through the program with focus and momentum, completing her MSW in 2023 after two intensive years of study, and without taking a break.
From Intern to Clinician
These days, Plascencia is writing her next chapter in social work.
“I actually live right by campus now, which is funny because I grew up in Green Bay too—I went to Preble High School,” Plascencia says. “But back then, I was always thinking, ‘I’m ready to go somewhere else.’”
As part of her clinical training and current employment, she works at US 2 Behavioral Health Care, a nonprofit outpatient clinic in Appleton that provides culturally responsive mental health services to individuals and families across the region. The clinic focuses on advancing health equity and reducing barriers to care, particularly for underserved and minority populations. Many of Plascencia’s therapy sessions are conducted virtually, which limits her commute to just a couple of days a week.
She began interning at the clinic in Fall 2022, during her second year of graduate school at UW-Green Bay. After realizing that her first-year internship in school social work wasn’t the right fit, she spoke with a campus mentor who suggested she reach out to the founder of a local clinic. That conversation led to an interview, and she began interning there. Toward the end of her placement in Spring 2023, she was offered a part-time position—a role that evolved into full-time employment after graduation.
“Everything just kind of aligned,” she said. “It was the right place at the right time.”
In her role, Plascencia has gained valuable insight into how clients begin their mental health journeys and how care is coordinated. Referrals are typically based on clinician availability, with new clients matched to the most immediate openings. Some are referred by psychiatrists or other therapists—especially those seeking Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—while others find the clinic through its website, social media, or community trainings like trauma-focused workshops.
DBT is a structured form of therapy that helps individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships and build healthy coping skills. It combines individual counseling with group-based skills training and is especially effective for clients dealing with mood disorders, self-harm or emotional regulation challenges. The clinic’s DBT program, which includes multiple sessions each week, has been especially impactful in her development.
“DBT is a more intensive form of therapy than standard outpatient care,” Plascencia said. “It’s a great program, and it’s helped me grow as a clinician. When I got trained in DBT, it really sent me off,” she said. “I learned so much about interventions, skills and how to build treatment plans.”
Working alongside professionals from different backgrounds has also shaped her perspective. She collaborates with colleagues from a mix of disciplines, drawing on the strengths of both social work and counseling training. Observing how their training influences their approaches has given her a broader view of the field and affirmed the versatility of her own path in social work.
Representation and Resilience
Plascencia’s passion for social work is deeply personal. As a first-generation college student and Hispanic woman, she often felt the absence of culturally attuned adult role models growing up. “I think it could have been helpful to have a trusted adult I could talk to,” she said. “That’s part of why I do this work now.”
“Growing up, I didn’t feel super understood,” she said. “I went to a private Catholic school where most students didn’t share my background or values. That shaped how I see representation today.”
Her early interest in advocacy led her to consider law school and immigration law, but a conversation with a mentor helped her realize that social work offered a more emotionally connected way to serve undocumented and underrepresented populations. “I think if I had been an attorney, my appointments probably would have turned into therapy sessions,” she recalls.
Despite the academic twist and turns, her parents were unwavering in their support. “My full-time job was to be a student,” she said. “Education was always a priority.”
At UW–Green Bay, she found not just a program, but a community. “There was always something happening—events, students studying together, a real sense of belonging.” That sense of connection extended beyond academics. “At UW-Green Bay, there was a centralized space for students of color,” she said. “It made a huge difference in how connected I felt.”
In her pursuit of bigger opportunities, Plascencia once looked beyond her hometown. But over time, she realized that the future she was pursuing had led her back to where she started.
“Green Bay wasn’t my first choice,” she admitted, “but it felt like Green Bay chose me—and now I know it was the best decision I could’ve made.”
Listen to Jessica talk about her time in UW-Green Bay’s Master in Social Work program in this video: UW-Green Bay Gives Graduate Students the Power to Rise.