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

The Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival has announced the winners of its 2023 competition, and current playwriting student D

Film alumna Nic Yulo '18 has published a new picture book with Penguin Random House.

Theatre alumnus Colm Summers ’22 is taking the helm as director ofEvery Brilliant Thingat the Geffen Playhouse in Los

Mona Simpson ’85 returns with a new novel, Commitment, published by Knopf earlier this spring.

Presented by James Fuentes Gallery in New York, Metropolis: 36 Views of New York is a new solo exhibition by Visual Arts alumnus Stipan Ta

The Rachel Uffner Gallery is presenting Purell Night & Day, a captivating new exhibition by Visual Arts alumna Susan Chen ’20.

Theatre alumna Daaimah Mubashshir ’15 is set to co-host the exciting annual reading festival, (Writ)ual Mix Mixfest 2023,

Film Student Helēna Šania Volbeta has been awarded the 2023-2024 Jānis Grundmanis Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship for Study in the US for the

Sarah-Jane Collins ’18 is the author of Radiant Heat, a new novel set to be published by Berkley Books on January 23, 2024.

Writing alumna Tenzin Dickie ’14 has published The Penguin Book of Modern Tibetan Essays (Penguin, 2023), a groundbreaking anthology of mo

Writing alumna Elysha Chang ’11 has just released her debut novel titled A Quitter’s Paradise.