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
Seven films by Columbia Filmmakers will screen at the internationally esteemed 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
On Wednesday, the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund of Australia and award trustee Perpetual announced the shortlist for this year's Miles Franklin Literary Award. Writing alumna Madeleine Watts '19 is among the six Australian authors to be chosen as finalists for this prestigious award.
Theatre Management and Producing alumna Sunshine Lampitoc Smith '08 and Dramaturgy alumna Annie Jin Wang '20 participated in the creation of a devised production called Rooted: Stories of Belonging Inspired by Asian Elders.
Alumna Ashley Tata ’12 will direct Red Giant, the first digital opera from Rhymes With Opera, on June 20, 2021.
Alumna Yossera Bouchtia '19 participated in The Gotham's TV Series Lab with her show Yasmine/Jasmine from May 24-28, 2021.
Alumnus Ben Rosenthal '18 recently published his debut collection of short stories, S-Bahn 5:32, through Adelaide Books.
Study in Blue, a feature screenplay written by alumnus Patrick Clement '20, was among the Top Official Selection at the 2021 Richmond International Film Festival's screenplay competition.
In response to the murder of George Floyd and the national protests that followed, alumna Fajr Muhammad '19 co-edited a collection of work, How We Stay Free: Notes on a Black Uprising, along with Christopher R. Rogers and Paul Robeson House.
Several Theatre alumni are participating in various ways in the 2021 Global Forms Theater Festival.
Acting alumni Bari Robinson '10 and Grayson Powell '11 are featured in episode four of AMC's new series, Kevin Can F*ck Himself.
Writing Alumnus Daniel Penny '16 has been named one of the three Spring 2021 recipients of the prestigious McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism.
Student Aliza Brugger recently directed and edited the music video for artist Sa-Roc's new single Wild Seeds. Alumnus Scott Gerlomes '20 served as producer.