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
Columbia University alumni and faculty are making waves in the Brooklyn theater scene with a new project, Double Feature, a collective of theater artists reimagining classic plays through intimate staging and contemporary reinterpretation.
Three projects featuring the work of Columbia filmmakers have made the official selection for this year's Venice International Film Festival.
Visual Arts alumna Anna-Ting Möller '23 is presenting Fantasy of the Fabrication, an exhibition that delves into our preconceived ideas about the cycle of life, particularly focusing on microbiology, fungi, and mold.
Earlier this month, Microscope Gallery announced their representation of Sound Art alumnus Kamari Carter '19.
Writing student Rochelle Goldstein has been named the 2023 winner of The Iowa Review Award for Nonfiction. Goldstein’s essay, "The Stain," will be published in the Winter 2023/2024 issue.
Poetry alumna Tiffany Troy ’22 has published Dominus (BlazeVOX, 2023), her first full-length poetry collection. Dominus was conceived and compiled during Troy's time as a student at Columbia.
The Raven Theatre Company has named Theatre alumna Sarah Slight ’09 as its new Artistic Director.
Our Father, the Devil, written and directed by Ellie Foumbi ’17, will hit theaters in the US on August 25, 2023 at the Quad in New York City.
Crystal Hana Kim '14 (CC '09) will publish her new novel, The Stone Home, on April 2, 2024 with HarperCollins.
Playwriting alumnus Harrison David Rivers ’09 has written a new play called The Salvagers. The play, scheduled to debut in November 2023 at Yale Repertory Theatre, is directed by filmmaker Mikael Burke.
Writing alumna Samantha Childs ’14 has recently published her new picture book titled Henri and the Magnificent Snort (Sea Lavender Publishing, 2023).
Rising third-year Film student Alex Bateman is a recipient of the Phil Zwickler Memorial Research Grant from Cornell University.