Jamie Murphy Soika graduated from Temple University (located in Philadelphia, PA) in 2021with double majors in Painting and English with a concentration in creative writing with a focus in fiction. Originally from Pennsylvania, Jamie moved up to Fairbanks, AK this year to work as a STEAM Education Fellow for OneTree Alaska, an education and research program that is based on UAF’s campus. Jamie has had her paintings shown in a solo exhibition, as well as multiple group exhibitions, at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, and is also the recipient of the John Feely Hopkins Short Story Award for her short story writing. Growing up, Jamie has always had a fascination in, and love for, all the ways we tell stories, whether that is visually through art and film, or through written or spoken words in fiction and song. She is also passionate about the communities and conversations that storytelling fosters and has a continued interest in growing those connections.  Since coming up to Fairbanks, Jamie has fallen in love with everything that Alaska has to offer—whether it be the negative degree temperatures or the ability to skate on frozen lakes. If she is not writing and painting, you can most likely find her ice skating or running the UAF trails.