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

Poetry Alumna Isabella DeSendi '17 was recently announced as a winner of the 

Wai Lau, a current student in the visual arts program, is currently featured in four group

“Fierce, sometimes chaotic” wrote Stephanie Burt of 

The Student Spotlight series aims to highlight the work of current MFA students, asking them to share thoughts on their practice by answering curat

Alumnus Jamund Washington ’10 received the 2019 Cinereach Producer Award.

In Your Area, a short film written and directed by current student Daniel Slottje and produced by alumni Elliot Zarrabi '18, Jaclyn Noel '19 and Mi

On A Global Scale is a bi-weekly series about international co-productions by Columbia filmmakers.

Diversity in Film is a bi-weekly series covering underrepresented groups in Film.

Musical Classic Cabaret Finds New Meaning in Jonathan Seinen’s Third-Year Director’s Thesis

The Student Spotlight series aims to highlight the work of current MFA students, asking them to share thoughts on their practice by answering curat

The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.