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 Cheapest France in Town, a poetry collection by Seo Jung Hak, has been translated from the Korean by Writing alumna Megan Sungyoon ’20.
Paradise Logic, a debut novel by Writing alumna Sophie Frances Kemp ’23 will be published by Simon & Schuster and Scribner UK in the spring of 2025.
The Bric House Gallery, a cornerstone in Brooklyn's cultural landscape, is presenting B-side: (Broken) Memory and Remix, a group exhibition featuring the photographic works of Assistant Professor of Visual Arts, Director of Graduate Studies, and alumna Adama Delphine Fawundu ’18.
Anonymous, produced by Film student Ash Matthews-Warren, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Two Columbia films have been selected to screen at the Academy Award qualifying PÖFF Shorts Film Festival.
Fin (The End), written and directed by Film student Fernando Reinaldos, won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Short at the 2023 NewFest festival.
The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.
The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.
To the Ends of the Earth / 땅끝까지, a new play that ran last month at Jack, was directed by Keenan Tyler Oliphant ’21 and starred Yeena Sung ’20. Sami Pyne ’20 served as the show’s producer, and Taeeun Yeo ’23 worked as a community outreach consultant.
In this special edition of Filmmakers Connect, we speak with Ben Odell '04 and his mentee, Mitch Gomes '20.
Film alumnus Ken Kristensen ’08 has written two episodes of Peacock’s The Continental: From the World of John Wick.
Five Star Stranger, a debut novel by Writing alumna Kat Tang ’22, will be published by Scribner Books, a subsidiary of Simon & Schuster, in August 2024.