Sigma Kappa - University of Kansas

H H H Sigma star SurrouNDeD BY SuPPort Finding a supportive community is crucial to students beginning their college journey; they need to find a place to belong, where they can be their authentic selves and form resilient friendships. Jess Leibson '02 found a welcoming community in Sigma Kappa. Jess knew Xi Chapter would be a great support system from the start after an encouraging conversation with one of the members about journalism. Over the years, she continued to receive encouragement from her sisters, and one even took her under her wing to join Student Senate. "At Xi, I finally understood what it felt like to unconditionally love friends," Jess shared. "No matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, I know I will care about them for the rest of my life." A rewArDING CAreer Throughout her career, Jess has had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles. After finishing her thesis in Nicaragua, she received her master's degree in community economic development. She then worked for three Fortune 500 companies, beginning as a journalist and moving into other roles in the public and private sectors. Any position she held always came back to writing, and she eventually became the chairman of the Internal- External Marketing Communications Forum and the social media manager of one of the companies. BeGINNING to eXPreSS CreAtIVItY Jess enjoyed writing and playing piano in college, but what she didn't know at the time was that she could also paint! When she experienced health issues that caused her to walk with a cane for more than a year, she joined the finance committee of the Art Therapy Studio's board in Cleveland. "I began to realize how healing art therapy is for people, so I explored it as a hobby," she said. "I just never wanted to stop." Jess began selling her art many years ago at a local art gallery in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Now, Valley Floor Art is sold exclusively on her website and at international art exhibits. Art AS tHerAPY AND A VeHICLe for CHANGe After her stepdad passed away, life seemed to change drastically. Sharing her art felt like exhaling a deep breath. "I thought about what I really wanted most and the things he always encouraged. I was what most people considered 'successful,' but I wasn't truly happy," Jess shared. "I thought it was time to examine why. I looked at all my paintings and realized they were telling me something when I only saw nature peering back at me." Jess took her childhood dream of becoming a naturalist or environmentalist and became a master naturalist through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. She tied her passion into her art to support conservation efforts, and 10% of her proceeds benefit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This year, Jess' art was accepted into World Art Dubai and was shown digitally at the Dubai World Trade Center. In addition, her latest piece, representing the emotional aspect of the Roe vs. Wade overturn, was recently accepted as a part of Misk Week, which will be held at the Misk Art Institute in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December. IN Her free tIme Jess works as a freelance editor in her spare time and volunteers at the largest urban old-growth forest in Evansville, Indiana. She also enjoys making stained glass, cooking, doing yoga, painting, writing, hiking, playing piano, knitting, reading, creating natural healing remedies, and she even took up scuba diving this summer. Jess also loves playing with her chunky rescue cat. If you would like to learn more about Jess' art, you can visit her website at valleyfloorart.com, or check out her TikTok and Instagram at @valleyfloorart. You can also connect with her at jessica.leibson@gmail.com. fINDING HAPPINeSS tHrouGH CreAtIVItY Jess Leibson '02 Surrounds Herself with Supportive Communities Jess with her owl friend, Gizmo!

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