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
Writing alum Anika Jade Levy '23 has published her debut novel, Flat Earth, earlier this month with Catapult Books.
Award-winning director and Theatre alum Celine Song '14 discusses the transition from theatre to film, dealing with economic precarity, and the need for artists to put their work in high-stakes environments.
Visual Arts alum Vesna Pavlović '07 is showing in two major exhibitions to close out the year.
Palestine 36, the feature film by Annemarie Jacir '02 currently making waves on the festival circuit, recently secured another victory when it was awarded the top prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Assistant Professor of Visual Arts Adama Delphine Fawundu '18 is currently exhibiting three interrelated works exploring the interconnectedness of geographies and our shared humanity—fittingly, these exhibitions take her work across the globe.
Acting alum Greg Cuellar '17 is starring in Initiative, a groundbreaking new play by Else Went having its world premiere at The Public Theater.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Writing and Fiction alum Hannah Lillith Assadi '13 will publish her third novel, Paradiso 17, with Knopf in March 2026.
Visual Arts student darylina powderface is currently exhibiting her short film, how it used to be, at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston (ICA).
Film and Media Studies MA alum Payton McCarty-Simas '24 has published their second book, That Very Witch: Fear, Feminism, and the American Witch Film with Luna Press Publishing.
Four films by Columbia alums have been selected as their countries' official submissions to the 98th Academy Award for Best International Film.
Boots, a new series co-run by Film alum Andy Parker '11 and based on Greg Cope Wire’s memoir The Pink Marine, has just come out on Netflix and has held a spot in the top 10 most watched television shows since its premiere on October 9, 2025.
Writing alum Naima Coster '15 has just announced the forthcoming release of her third novel, Take What You Can, with Pamela Dorman Books, an imprint of Viking (Penguin).