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
Several Columbia filmmakers screened work at the prestigious 2019 Toronto International Film Festival this month.
Theatrical Outfit, a Theatre based in Atlanta, GA, has named Directing alumnus Matt Torney ’09 its new Artistic Director.
Sudarshan Suresh '19 and Barbara Cigarroa '18 were selected for Filmmaker Magazine's '25 New Faces of Independent Film' 2019 list.
Renee Marie Petropoulos '17 won the Best Female Director Award at the Hollyshorts Film Festival last month, for her film Tangles and Knots, which she wrote and directed.
The work of fiction alumna Selena Anderson ’10 seamlessly melds fantasy and realism, evident in her recent collection of short stories, Tenderoni, where she explores race, identity and Black womanhood in the American South.
Orchid.Summer, a new series of photographs by alumnus Matthew Morrocco ’15 is on view at the Olympia Project from August 22 to September 21.
Darling, directed and co-written by current student Saim Sadiq, co-written by current student Rodney Llaverias, co-produced by current student Jasmin Tenucci, and produced by alumna Mahak Jiwani ’18 won the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film at the 76th Annual Venice International Film Festival.
The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.
Poetry alumnus Adam O. Davis '06 is a 2019 winner of the Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry, presented by Sarbande Books. As winner, Davis will release his first poetry collection, Index of Haunted Houses.
At the Jerusalem Film Festival, House of Hummingbird, written and directed by alumna Bora Kim ‘11, won the prize for best first feature in the International category.
Acting alumnae Folami Williams '16 and Emily Murphy '17 are set to join the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.