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
Alumni Cyril Aris '17, Antoneta Kusijanović '17 and Lauren Wolkstein '10 as well as Professor Katherine Dieckmann were invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Acting alumnus Grayson Powell ’11 co-stars in the first episode of Amazon’s new romantic comedy television series Modern Love.
Current Playwriting student Julián Mesri has been invited to write for Milagro Theater’s INGENIO Milagro program.
Directing alumnus Kareem Fahmy ’07 is making a splash in theatre, directing two plays this fall.
Alumnae Tanya Rae Merrill ‘18 and Pauline Shaw ‘19 join several other emerging artists in Domestic Horror, an exhibit at the Gagosian.
Fiction alumna Jenessa Abrams ’17 is having a great year. Recently long-listed for the Berlin Writing Prize for her short story, All American Ghost Busters another one of Abrams’ short fiction pieces, Griddlecakes, or the Word Above Grief was recently released from British-based independent publisher, Platypus Press, as part of their Shorts digital series.
This fall, Adjunct Assistant Professor and alumna Adama Delphine Fawunda ’18 will be featured in five exhibits across the country.
Three films by Columbia filmmakers were selected to screen at the 46th Annual Telluride Film Festival, Mizaru, Night Swim, and Ford v Ferrari.
Three works by Columbia filmmakers premiered at the 57th Annual New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center, Fit Model and The Raven.
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.