MFA with Distinction, Center for the Book, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa Summer 2025

Thesis Advisor: Sara Langworthy Thesis Project: What We Have Left: Solastalgia in Iowa City

MA Library & Information Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa May 2025

Advisor: Colleen Theisen Link to my SLIS Capstone Portfolio

MA English as a Second Language, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota 2015

MFA Ceramics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 2000

MA Ceramics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 1999

BA Visual Arts, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota 1991

It’s a Fine Line: Seven Artists Exploring Themes of Linearity, Time, and Text. Group Exhibition at Arts Iowa City, Iowa City, Iowa. October 2 - 31, 2026

Iowa State Fair Fine Art Exhibition. Juried group exhibit at the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, Iowa. August 13-23, 2026. Third place award. 

Book As Art v.13: Mixed Messages. Juried group exhibit at the Decatur Arts Alliance Decatur Arts Alliance, the Decatur Branch of the Dekalb County Public Library, and the Georgia Center for the Book. Sep. 12 – Oct. 25, 2025. https://decaturartsalliance.org/the-book-as-art/

What We Have Left, Solastalgia in Iowa City. Solo exhibit of my MFA Thesis Exhibit, K. Merker Gallery, North Hall, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. February, 2025.

Embracing the Tangible, College Book Art Association’s Juried exhibition, Madison, WI, USA. 2025

New Altitudes, North American Hand Papermakers Member’s Showcase, Denver, CO, USA. 2024

New Terrain, Morgan’s 12th Annual Juried Exhibition in Papermaking, Cleveland, OH, USA. 2024

Luminosity, Group show of paper and light, Merker Gallery, North Hall, Iowa City, IA, USA. 2024

Solstice, Solo exhibit, K. Merker Gallery, Iowa City, IA, USA. LED Lights & Flax Drawings. Spring Solstice 2023

2025 - Present: Sole Proprietor, Jenny Otis Miller Artist, Studio #461, Mainframe Des Moines, IA

Spring, 2025: Bookbinding Graduate Research Assistant, Center for the Book, University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

• Work with Center for the Book faculty to support curriculum and programming for graduate and undergrad courses

• Provide direct technical support for graduate students working on book arts projects during designated lab hours

• Assist Center for the Book director and administrative coordinators with oversight and maintenance of studios

2023–2025: Collections Care & Conservation Technician, Main Library, University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

• Provide technical assessment of damaged books and repair books from the library’s circulating collection

• Support the Director and Collections Conservators in special projects including the design and sewing of custom housing and supports for rare books and making an inventory of the maps backlog with recommended treatments

• 2023 recipient of the Academic Enrichment Award for students working in the University of Iowa Libraries

• Production of an annotated bibliography for Collections Conservator as a resource for future student employees

Fall 2024: Teacher of Introduction to Book Arts, Center for the Book, University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

• Worked with my Center for the Book Faculty Advisor to design and implement new curriculum that fulfilled undergraduate general educational requirements

• Taught the University of Iowa’s Book Arts studio course with 14 undergraduate students

• Advised students as they curated and installed their own work in the Merker Gallery

• Created a budget for materials and managed all supplies during the semester-long course

• Organized research visits to the University of Iowa’s Special Collections to inspire creative projects and to promote innovative academic research in the field of book arts

Summer 2023: Researcher, Amana Heritage Society (AHS), Amana Heritage Museum Amana, Iowa

• Supported the AHS Director and Museum Curator in their exhibition and publishing agendas

• Consulted with Museum Curator on exhibition design and artifact selection to best illustrate the history agricultural and business endeavors prior to 1932 in the Amana Colonies

• Analyzed and digitized artifacts from the Amana Colony’s secular print history (1870-1932)

2022–2023: Papermaking Research Assistant, Center for the Book, University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

• Managed papermaking studio and updated the student project research archives

• Worked with Center for the Book faculty to support curriculum goals for graduate courses and special programming

• Provided technical support for graduate students working on their papermaking projects during set lab hours

• Monitored studio materials and equipment to maintain a safe and productive community environment

Summer 2022: Researcher, Amana Historical Society (AHS) Printshop & Book Bindery Middle Amana, IA

• Supported the AHS leadership team with curatorial research related to the historic print shop and book bindery

• Prepared didactic information and consulted on design for a new museum exhibit showcasing book and print history

• Collaborated with Professor Emeritus Gary Frost and Retired AHS Director Lanny Haldy to product an interpretive inventory of artifacts related to the history of bookbinding and secular print culture in the Amanas from 1870-1932

2020 – 2021 Outreach & Engagement, Stanley Museum of Art (SMA), University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

• Graduate Assistantship working with Education Curatorial Team to prepare for the SMA’s Inaugural Exhibition

• Collaborated to design virtual outreach programming and community education resources during the pandemic

• Created a pilot program with creative activities inspired by works of art held in the Stanley Collection

• Presented “Artists, Activism and Museums” illuminating my research interest of art / activism

• Created the YouTube series “Unexpected Insights” where four specialists discuss one work of art from the SMA

Summer 2020: Outreach and Engagement Internship, African American Museum of Iowa Cedar Rapids, IA

• Collaborated with the AAMI Exhibition Curator and the Education Team on community engagement programming

• Engaged with the Obermann Center’s “Humanities for the Public Good” summer fellowship program and produced

• Designed and facilitated art programming related to the AAMI’s “Unwavering” exhibition on 21st Century Activism including an artist-led participatory mural project and an online community writing project

2018 –2022: Writing Center Consultant, University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

• Consulted with PhD students and candidates in the College of Education’s Writing Resource Center, to draft, revise, and polish a wide range of academic writing projects

• Worked with Directors of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Writing Center to support writing across university contexts and in the wider community through public library programs

• Advised on all phases of academic and creative writing projects with undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and visiting scholars from a wide array of academic fields

2015 –2017: English Language Fellow, Mandalay University Mandalay, Myanmar/Burma

• Contracted with the U.S. State Department to work English language teacher and consultant with the English Department at Mandalay University for 20 months

• Prepared MU department heads from all departments to present at conferences in English

• Collaborated with MU English faculty to design student-centered, active learning pedagogy for pre-service teachers in the Diploma in English Language Teaching program

• Served as the Academic Writing instructor for MA Students

• Taught English for Communicative Skills to two sections of undergraduate English majors

• Organized two International Conferences on English Language Teaching & Learning with support from the Regional English Language Officer and other English Language Fellows.

• ELT&L Conference planning duties included proposing and managing a budget, creating a registration system for 200 conference participants, creating a call for proposals, selecting and scheduling conference presentations, creating certificates for participants and 40 presenters, preparing the conference hall venue, handling catering services, and leading 30 students and 4 faculty to prepare the venue and host international conference participants

Summer 2015: English Teacher Trainer & Mentor, All-India ACCESS Program Maharashtra State, India

• Taught English and other academic subjects to ACCESS students from throughout India for American Councils

• Facilitated non-academic activities such as sports, visual art, leadership, and team building

• Developed curriculum for American Councils to integrate English language objectives into all academic subjects

• Adapted the Oral Language Proficiency Assessment for American Councils and trained staff to conduct assessments

Spring 2014: English Teacher, Higher 23 Preparatory School Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• Taught English to two sections of grade 11 students at Higher 23 Preparatory School.

Fall 2014 & Spring 2015: English Teacher Trainer, Youth Solidarity English Language Programs Antalya, Turkey

• Taught subject matter courses in geography, public speaking, and reading to Afghan high school students

• Designed curriculum for the American Councils on Education youth programs

2012 – 2014: English Language Teacher Trainer, Peace Corps Ethiopia Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• Collaborated with the Peace Corps Ethiopia education team to design and provide TESOL training for Peach Corps

Trainees in the education sector, as well as health and environment sector volunteers.

• Co-facilitated a life-skills training of trainers (TOT) for thirty university professors who were working with the

Fall 2013 – Summer 2014: University Success Program for Young Ethiopian Women. Program Developer and Student Mentor, FHI 360 & USP Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• Worked with the Gender Program Directors, Addis Ababa University Faculty and Directors of USP (University Success Program for Ethiopian Young Women) to foster academic success of first year female STEM students

• Conducted a mixed-methods case study focused on first year female students in STEM and the variables of academic confidence, English language proficiency, and academic success for my MA ESL capstone at Hamline University

• Led weekly courses on communicative English and academic English for first-year students at Arat Kilo campus

• Worked with British Council to provide free English language proficiency assessments for all students in USP

2013: English Language Mentor, Kotebe College of Teacher Education Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• Brought the British Council’s English 4 Teachers pilot program to Kotebe students and faculty.

• Ran the English Language Improvement Center Activities

2011 – 2012: English Language Teacher Trainer, College of Teacher Education Debre Markos, Ethiopia

• Implemented a program to support preservice English teachers working in the primary schools

• Worked with teachers and administrators to build mini libraries in classrooms throughout the community

• Supported directors and empowered teachers to create their own materials for teaching and mini libraries

2009 – 2011: Reserve Teacher and Program Manager, Minnesota Literacy Center (MLC) St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Managed trainings and provided support to MLC’s volunteer teachers

• Supported the adult education workshops and GED programs conducted at Rondo Library

2008 – 2011: Studio Artist, Northrup King Building Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Conducted Research & Development for my Jerome Project Grant (Forecast Public Arts)

• Utilized access to bird specimens in the University of Minnesota’s Zoological Collection and the Bell Museum

• Produced handmade pottery, sculptures, and botanical illustrations and exhibited them during open studio events

2006 – 2008, Exhibitions Manager, Northern Clay Center Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Curated and installed ten exhibitions annually and managed publicity for events including press releases

• Managed a team of NCC coworkers who were part-time staff working on the exhibition team

• Worked with exhibiting artists to maximize their vision while simultaneously minimizing potential risks

• Provided NCC volunteers with educational resources and training to provide quality public programming

2002 – 2006: Teacher and Visiting Artist, Northern Clay Center Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Worked with K-6 classroom teachers to align clay projects with Minnesota Academic Standards

• Taught adult community education courses including handbuilding, tiles, and special firing techniques

2002 – 2005: Adjunct Lecturer, Ceramics & Visual Arts, St. Catherine University St. Paul & Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Managed the ceramics studio including ordering supplies, firing kilns, and designing curriculum

• Taught beginning and advanced ceramics courses to students enrolled on the St. Paul campus

• Guided ceramics students in the design, production, and installation of collaborative public art projects

• Taught intro level Art Appreciation and Folk Art courses to students enrolled at the Minneapolis campus

2004 – 2006: Instructor of Botanical and Zoological Illustration, Como Zoo Conservatory St. Paul, Minnesota

• Collaborated with zoo employees to provide opportunities for students to draw live ‘animal ambassadors’

• Taught a variety of courses including low relief clay tiles, animal illustration, and approaches to book design

2005 – 2006: Instructor, Ceramics and Sculpture, Edina Art Center Edina, Minnesota

• Taught beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses in pottery, tile making, and sculpture

Summer, 2004: Adjunct Lecturer, Ceramics / Clay Sculpture, St. Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota

• Taught beginning and advanced courses in clay sculpture including handbuilding, glazing, and firing kilns

Grant Funded Project, 2002: Consultant, Office of the State Archeologist, University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa

• Worked part-time to create replicas of woodland pottery artifacts for education and outreach programming

• Collaborated with the director on preliminary development of education curriculum specific to woodland pottery

2000 – 2002: Adjunct Lecturer in Ceramics, Mount Mercy College Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• Instructor for beginning and advanced ceramic courses

• Deconstructed, moved, and reconstructed a gas kiln to make room for new construction on the campus

2000 – 2001: Ceramics Visiting Lecturer, Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• One-year sabbatical replacement position teaching ceramics classes including pottery and sculpture

1998 – 2000: Graduate Teaching Assistant in Ceramics, University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa

• “Instructor of Record” for undergraduate ceramic courses focused on handbuilding projects

• President of the University of Iowa Ceramics Society student organization from 1999 to 2000

2026 Iowa State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit, Des Moines, Iowa. 3rd Place Award in Sculpture. 

2025 Holle Award for Excellence in Book Arts, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama. Financial prize award winner.

2025 Book As Art v.13: Mixed Messages, Decatur Arts Alliance, Second Place Award. 

2025 Caxton Club Book Arts Grant, 2024-2025 Book Arts Graduate Students, Chicago, Illinois.

2024 Summer MFA Fellowship Award, CLAS, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

2024 Anderson Ranch Full Scholarship for Printmaking Workshop, Snowmass Village, Colorado.

2024 Codex 2024 Full Scholarship for Conference Symposium, Oakland, California.

2024 New Terrain, Morgan’s Annual Juried Papermaking Exhibit, Cleveland, Ohio. People’s Choice

2023 Academic Enrichment Award, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa.

2023 Graduate Fellowship Award, Center for the Book, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

2023 Full Scholarship, Paper Book Intensive, Ox-Bow School of Art, Saugatuck, Michigan.

2016 English Language Fellowship, Mandalay University, Mandalay, Myanmar/Burma.

2015 English Language Fellowship, Mandalay University, Mandalay, Myanmar/Burma.

2013 Early Grade Reading Project Grant Recipient: Books for Africa, Amhara, Ethiopia.

2012 Early Grade Literacy Centers Project Grant Recipient: MNRPCV, Amhara, Ethiopia.

2005 Jerome Foundation Research & Development Grant, Forecast Public Artworks, Minnesota.

2000 3rd Place, National Ceramics Competition, Juror: Wayne Higby. Evanston, Illinois.

2000 Teaching Assistantship, Ceramics Department, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

1999 Grotto Grant Recipient, St. John’s Pottery, Collegeville, Minnesota

1999 Proudfoot Scholarship Recipient, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

1999 Teaching Assistantship, Ceramics Department, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

1998 Fine Arts Council Grant, Clay Bodies for Outdoor Ceramic Sculpture, Iowa City, Iowa.

1998 Teaching Assistantship, Ceramics Department, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Kinder Inquiries, The 50th Anniversary of the Death of an Ornate Box Turtle (2024-1974) is held in the following collections:

• University of Iowa Library Special Collections, Iowa City, IA

• University of Georgia Library Special Collections

• Private Collections 

Nina Hole’s and Friends and Fire-mates: Matchbook Show, My matchbook contribution is held in the Permanent Collection of the Grimmerhus Ceramic Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Cup Plant (2006), Watercolor. Held in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA.

Angelica (2006), Watercolor. Held in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA.

Miller, J. S. (2025). What we have left: solastalgia in Iowa City [University of Iowa]. 

https://doi.org/10.25820/etd.008075

Wong, M. S., Miller, J. S., & Treadwell, B. (2019). English language teacher preparation in Myanmar: Challenges and prospects. In M. S. Zein & R. Stroupe (Eds.), English language teacher preparation in Asia: Policy, Research and Practice (pp.244-260). New York, NY: Routledge.

Miller, J. S. (2015). English language proficiency, academic confidence, and academic success: A

case study of first-year female students at an Ethiopian university. Paper 193, MA in ESL Capstone,

Hamline University’s School of Education Student Capstones and Dissertations.

https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1192&context=hse_all

Otis, J. S. (2003). Space and form: New work by Maren Kloppman. Ceramics Monthly, February

2003, p. 58+

Otis, J. S. (2000). Ecological and cultural collaboration: Moving toward a new visual language.

Master of Fine Arts Thesis (Ceramics), University of Iowa School of Art and Art History.

Miller, J. (2025, June 5-7). Kinder Inquires: The 50th anniversary of the death of an ornate box turtle [Lightning Round Presentation]. CBAA Conference, Madison, WI, United States.

Miller, J. (2023, October 19-21). Low relief flax drawings [Workshop]. Paper Tides: North American Hand Papermakers Conference, Providence, RI, United States.

Miller, J. (2019, October 19-21). Meaning making and stance taking: Exploring identity through art, [Workshop]. International Writing Center Association - IWCA-NCPTW Conference, Columbus, OH,United States.

Miller, J. (January 2016). Simple story books: Encouraging student expression and creativity in English [Workshop]. British Council’s Fifth Annual Conference for Teachers of English: English Matters, Diverse Contexts in Education. Mandalay Hill Resort, Mandalay, Myanmar.

College Book Arts Association (CBAA)

Des Moines Art Museum

National Peace Corps Association

The International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA)

Public Space One, Iowa City, Iowa

North American Hand Papermakers (NAHP)

Stanley Museum of Art, Iowa City, Iowa