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 Kai Oh '24 opened her solo exhibition Will You Marry Me? on February 15, 2025 at Subtitled NYC, a gallery that foregrounds interdisciplinarity and collaborative practices between artists and curators.
Film alum Ivan Rome ’24 has been selected for the 2025 class of the Black Boy Writes / Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative for emerging voices.
Directing alum Rory McGregor ’17 has joined the newest revival of Glengarry Glen Ross as Associate Director.
Columbia filmmakers Constance Tsang '20 and Gabriel Mayers (CC '17) will screen their work at the 54th edition of New Directors/New Films (ND/NF) set to take place from April 2 through April 13, 2025.
Writing alum Antoinette Cooper '20 examines the experiences of Black women's bodies in her debut poetry collection Unruly (Legacy Book Press, 2025).
Directing student Miles Sternfeld has always craved bringing an unexpected moment to a musical from the canon. Now he has helped execute the biggest surprise on Broadway.
Assistant Professor of Visual Arts, Director of Graduate Studies, and Concentration Head of Painting David Antonio Cruz and Visual Arts alum Gabriel Martinez ’09 are among the 35 artists—21 from across the United States and 14 local to New Orleans—selected for the upcoming residency at the Joan Mitchell Center Foundation in New Orleans.
The 97th Academy Awards started on a high for Columbia film, as heavy favorite Kieran Culkin took home the night’s first award for his role in A Real Pain, executive produced by Jennifer Westin ’06.
Less than a year after graduating from the Film program, Nimisha Misra '24 has won the prestigious Filmfare Award and SWA (Screenwriter's Association of India) Award for her work as writer on the Netflix series Kaala Paani.
The National Endowment for the Arts has announced this year’s Literature Fellowships, with Columbia represented in both Creative Writing and Translation.
The Ocean in the Next Room, a poetry collection by alum Sarah V. Schweig ’09, has been published by Milkweed Editions.
Three Columbia University School of the Arts alums have been named 2025-2028 Jerome Hill Artist Fellows: Pamela Council '14, Jeffrey Meris '19, and Asif Mian '18.