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
Down Dog, a short film directed by student Shae Xu, written by alumna Claire Brooks ’20 and produced by alumna Mackenzie Lyle '20 and student I-Hui Lee, was screened virtually at the Urbanworld Film Festival through September 27, and will screen at the NewFest New York LGBTQ + Film Festival from October 16-27. NewFest is New York’s largest presenter of LGBTQ film & media and the largest convener of LGBTQ audiences in the city.
Student Kevin Haefelin won the Maverick Award for Best Student Short Film at the Woodstock Film Festival 2020 for his film Trumpet. Written and directed by Haefelin, produced by Youmi Haefelin-Roch and with student Alex Yarber serving as Unit Production Manager, Trumpet took the edge over five other shorts in its section.
Theatre Alumnus Shayok Misha Chowdhury ’16, Writing Alumni Ricardo Alberto Maldonado ’08 and Ge Gao ’17, and Visual Arts Alumni Vivianne Chiu ’19, Alison Taylor ’05, Elif Uras ’03, and Writing Assistant Professor Shane McCrae were all named NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellows for 2020.
Early this morning, the Swedish Academy awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature to former undergraduate writing student Louise Glück.
Through the New Body, the chapbook with which Alumna Isabella DeSendi '17 won the 2019 Poetry Society of America 30 and Under Chapbook Fellowship has been published by the Poetry Society of America and is available for pre-order now.
Film alumnus Kevin Lau ’13 writes for HBO’s Lovecraft Country. Lau co-wrote the show’s sixth episode, “Meet Me in Daegu,” with series creator Misha Green, and he is credited as story editor on all eight episodes.
To Sonny, written by alumna Maggie Briggs '19 and co-directed by Briggs and alumnus Federico Spiazzi '18, will screen at the Aesthetica Short Film Festival, November 3-30.
The National Book Foundation announced the finalists for the 2020 National Book Award today—among them alumna Mei Mei Berssenbrugge '73 for her book of poetry, A Treatise on Stars (New Directions, 2020).
Alumna Daphne Palasi Andreades '19 recently signed a two-book deal with Random House for her debut novel, Brown Girls, and a forthcoming novel.
Alumna Sue Johnson '81 is featured in two Solo Exhibition Hall of Portraits from The History of Machines in Rockville, Maryland at Gibb Street Gallery and at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced the recipients of its 2020/21 scholarships program with three Columbia students included.
WalkUpArts produces Baby Jessica’s Well-Made Play, penned by alumnus Philip Santos Schaffer ’18 with dramaturgy by alumna and staff member Anna Woodruff ’18, is a phone adventure to the bottom of the well and back again.