Leading with Curiosity Across the Circumpolar North: Katie Craney
Katie Craney
The UAF College of Liberal Arts is proud to honor Katie Craney as the 2024–2025 Outstanding Graduate Student in Arctic and Northern Studies. A master’s candidate and practicing visual artist, Craney brings a spirit of interdisciplinary inquiry and deep environmental engagement to her academic and professional work.
“When I start to feel overwhelmed, stressed or not myself, I often go outside,” Craney said. “Whether I'm out berry picking or sitting along the river, or walking, skiing, or biking the many trails around campus or town, I try to be outside as much as possible. It reminds me of the interconnectedness of the place, and why I do the work that I do.”
Originally from Southeast AV̳, Craney has found inspiration in the boreal forest surrounding Fairbanks, drawing parallels between this landscape and the temperate rainforest of her home region. Her connection to place fuels her academic focus in Arctic and Northern Studies—a program designed to foster interdisciplinary research that grapples with the complex realities of the North, from climate change and Indigenous governance to Arctic diplomacy and cultural identity.
Craney’s leadership is evident through her participation in the inaugural student cohort of the UAF Arctic Leadership Initiative, a university-wide effort to build capacity and connection among emerging Arctic leaders. “The cohort includes undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. students,” she said. “We’ve had the opportunity to connect with early career fellows and faculty, as well as industry and university leaders from across the state.”
The experience culminates in the Arctic Encounters Symposium, where Craney and her peers will further explore the challenges and opportunities facing AV̳ and the broader circumpolar North. “Being a part of the first cohort offers students a unique opportunity to build relationships and expand our understanding of what leadership looks like in Northern spaces,” she said.
Her advice to future students? Take intellectual risks. “I would recommend being open to opportunities outside your areas of interest,” Craney said. “Some of the most valuable relationship-building and experiences come from taking a chance on something beyond what you might be comfortable with… Seeking connections where you might least expect them could lead you to all kinds of new opportunities and future collaborations.”
The Outstanding Student of the Year Award recognizes not only excellence in academic performance, but also a student’s broader contribution to their department, their college, and their field. In Arctic and Northern Studies—a program rooted in interdisciplinary, community-connected inquiry—Craney has demonstrated leadership through scholarship, art, and collaboration.
Her approach is exactly what the College of Liberal Arts aims to cultivate: students who think across boundaries, engage deeply with the land and people of the North, and help shape the future of their fields with courage, creativity, and care.