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

Creative Producing alumna Tara Roy ’17 is publishing The Magnificent Ruins, a debut novel, with Algonquin Books, an imprint of Hachette Bo

Film alumna Victoria Rivera ’20 is among the filmmakers selected to participate in Film Independent’s second annual Episodic Directing Intensive.

Writing Alumnus Ricardo Alberto Maldonado '08 has recently been appointed as the Executive Director and President of the Academy of American Poets.

Good Night, Oscar, a new play featuring the work of several Columbia theatre artists, has made its Broadway debut.

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a new play by Jocelyn Bioh ’08, will premiere on Broadway in fall 2023.

David Pastor ’04 is the co-writer and co-director of Bird Box Barcelona, a new thriller that will be released by Netflix on July 14, 2023.

Adjunct Assistant Professor and Writing alumna Hilary Leichter ’12 is set to launch her second book,Terrace Story (HarperCollins

Sound Art alumnus Nolan Lem ’15 has landed a post-doctoral fellowship at the prestigious Chalmers Institute of Technology, where he will conduct in

Swim Class (48" x 60," oil on canvas,2021), a painting by Visual Arts alumna and Adjunct Assistant Professor Yuri Yuan

James Mangold ’99 is the the director of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the upcoming fifth and final installment

Visual Arts alumnus Uri Aran '07 is currently featured in a solo show titled I’m a Restaurant at the Andrew Kreps Gallery

Sound Art alumnus Chatori Shimizu ’16 will be part of the ensemble for Woman at Point Zero, a new multimedia opera premie