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

Writing alum Antoinette Cooper '20 examines the experiences of Black women's bodies in her debut poetry collection Unruly

Directing student Miles Sternfeld has always craved bringing an unexpected moment to a musical from the canon. Now he has helped execute the bigges

Assistant Professor of Visual Arts, Director of Graduate Studies, and Concentration Head of Painting David Antonio Cruz and Visual

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

Less than a year after graduating from the Film program, Nimisha Misra '24 has won the prestigious Filmfare Award and SWA (Screenw

The National Endowment for the Arts has announced this year’s Literature Fellowships, with Columbia represented in both Creative Writing and Transl

The Ocean in the Next Room, a poetry collection by alum Sarah V.

Three Columbia University School of the Arts alums have been named 2025-2028 Jerome Hill Artist Fellows: Pamela Council'1

Three Columbia projects turned into four wins at the 40th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, held Saturday, February 22 in Santa Monica, Califo

Just two days after Writing alum Holly Brickley ’05 released her debut novel Deep Cuts, Deadline revealed the fe

Last night, celebrated filmmaker, Film Program alum, and Dean's Council Chair Katharina Otto-Bernstein '92(CC '86)

Writing alum Kristen Martin '16 publishes debut nonfiction book, The Sun Won’t Come Out Tomorrow (Bold Type Books, 2025).