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 film student Molly Evans launched a COVID-19 relief fundraiser called Rise Together, Sweat Together on May 17th.
Current Student Stephanie M. Falkeis has been awarded the Heldinnen in Serie Screenwriting Award and Development Grant for her project The Invisible Sister from FISA, the Film Industry Support of Austria.
On A Global Scale is a bi-weekly series about international co-productions by Columbia filmmakers.
Current Student Victoria Rivera was selected as a Film Independent Directing Lab Fellow with her feature film project Malpelo. Before Rivera’s Directing Lab Fellowship, she was previously chosen for Film Independent’s Screenwriting Lab in February 2020. Malpelo is being produced by alumna Camila Zavala '19 who developed the project as part of last year’s Film Independent’s Producing Fellowship.
Alumnus Greg Mottola ’91 directed the first three episodes of Dave, an FX original comedy series which premiered in March. The show was recently renewed for a second season after becoming the network's most-watched comedy series ever after streaming on Hulu. Mottola also served as an executive producer on the show.
Trumpet by current student Kevin Haefelin, and Así en la Tierra by alumnus Joel Vázquez Cárdenas ’18 have both advanced to the shortlist of the prestigious 2020 BAFTA Student Film Awards held by The British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Writing alumna Jayme Koszyn ’18 was named a finalist in Fish Publications Flash Fiction Short List for her flash fiction short story, “In the Here and Now.” Out of the 1,238 stories submitted, only fifty made it to the short-list.
This July, Finishing Line Press will publish a new collection of poems by writing alumna Alison Woods ’96, titled Bless This Home.
Conversations with Artists in Art Getting Art is a bi-weekly series and a play on Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. We interview artists about their art and 'getting art'.
Balk, a 2019 thesis film directed and co-written by alumnus Gabriel Wilson ’19, co-written by alumnus Ben Gottlieb ’19 and produced by alumna Jennifer Kaiser ’19, has been nominated for a College Television Award. Winners can expect a $3,000 cash prize and will be announced at the 40th edition of the event on May 30. The film had its premiere at last year’s Columbia University Film Festival.
Associate Professor Susan Bernofsky and alumna Alexandra Kleeman ’12 are two of this year’s recipients of the Berlin Prize, awarded by the American Academy in Berlin.
Winners were announced online last week for the renowned Tribeca Film Festival that was canceled due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Two Columbia films received recognition.