Student & Alumni Affairs

A Welcome Message from Laila Maher

Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs

Now more than ever it is crucial for artists to be supported as they pursue their craft. The life of an artist as well as that of a student involves much more than the classroom and the work itself, and this is where the Office of Student Affairs comes in. In addition to guiding new students through the process of transitioning to the School of the Arts, we plan the School-wide orientation, School of the Arts Convocation, and support student groups, events, and activities. 

We also play a critical role in connecting School of the Arts students to the larger university and necessary services, and help students navigate many of the central offices including Health Services (which houses the Office of Disability Services, Insurance, Immunization, and Counseling and Psychological Services), Columbia Residential, Public Safety, University Life, the International Students and Scholars Office, and the Registrar's Office. Our office also helps to uphold many of the School and University-wide policies and we manage the School’s disciplinary procedures.

The Artists’ Resource Center, also part of our Office, maintains information on funding opportunities and career resources for students and alumni at the Columbia University School of the Arts, and provides consultations to students and alumni to help them look for professional development opportunities and more.

After graduation, the Office of Alumni Affairs provides more than 7000 alumni artists, creators, and leaders with opportunities to stay connected with the School of the Arts, the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA), and one another through alumni programming, benefits, a monthly newsletter, and collaborations with CAA Arts Access.

Our ultimate goal is to support our students and alums while they pursue their education as valued members of our dynamic community and as they navigate their time after graduation.
 

Student & Alumni News

Current student Farah Mohammad has artwork in the show Give Me Space: New Prints 2020/Summer, hosted by the International

This week, it was announced that the novel The New Wilderness by alumna Diane Cook ’12 made the longlist for the 2020 Man Booker Prize.

Deep Delta Justice, debut book by alumnus Matthew van Meter ’16, is a nonfiction retelling of the critical court case in mid-20th century Louisiana

Inez, Doug and Kira, a feature film written and directed by alumna Julia Kots '08, was acquired by 1091 Pictures for worl

Recent alumna Mónica Félix ’20 created the online exhibit Romance Tropical after the eponymous 1934 movie directed by Juan E.

Recent alumna Jai Hamid Bashir ’20 is the winner of the Zócalo Public Square Poetry Prize, a prestigious award given to a poem tha

Once Upon a Time I Lived on Mars by alumna Kate Greene ’20 is a memoir about Greene’s time living in the Hawaii Space Exp

Every year, the Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition recognizes new and innovative television pilots and connects a select few television writers

Theatre Alumna Ayvaunn Penn '18 and Alumnus and Staff member Clarence Coo '10 have been named finalists for the 2020 Eugene O’Neill National Playwr

Two films by Columbia alumni and current students showed at the Maryland Film Festival from June 12 until June 21.