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

Visual Arts alum Vivian Vivas ’23 launched her video exhibition titled may I die before I’m gone. Hosted by Alexander Ber

The recipients of the 2024 New Voices Filmmaker Grant, in partnership with Netflix, have been announced, with Film student Apa Agbayani

These works of historical fiction, all by Columbia alumni, provide fascinating windows into life long ago, with plenty of wisdom for our current ag

Dramaturgy alumna Meropi Peponides ’13 has been named a co-creative director and producer-in-residence of the iconic Under the Rad

A dynamic group of School of the Arts alumni will participate in this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest performing arts festiva

Pamela Palmer, a play with several Columbia Theatre artists in the cast and creative team, is set to premiere at the Williamstown Theatre

Fulfillment features Linder’s drawings, video, and sculptures, forming a multimedia installation.

Writing alumna Kristin Vukovic '09 has published her debut novel The Cheesemaker’s Daughter(Regalo Press, 2024)

Film alumna Mariana Saffon ’19 has been awarded the prestigious Baumi Script Development Award for her first feature Mar de Le

Film alumnus Jacob Jaffke ’10 is a producer on MaXXXine, an American slasher film written and directed by Ti West.

An interdisciplinary team of School of the Arts alumni has launched Welcome to My Room, a one-woman show comprising a dynamic blend of mus

Writing alumnus John O’Connor ’03 has published The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster (S