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 alumna Jennifer Cody Epstein ’03 is set to release her latest novel, The Madwomen of Paris, in July 2023, through Penguin Random House.
Writing Alumnus Aaron Poochigian ’16 is set to release Mr. Either/Or: All the Rage (Etruscan Press, June 2023). The book is a sequel to Mr. Either/Or, published in 2017 by the same publishing house.
James Mangold ’99 will direct a new biopic chronicling the life of acclaimed singer-songwriter and pop culture icon Bob Dylan.
The results of the 2023 Tony Awards have been announced, and several projects worked on by Columbia theatre artists are among the winners.
Film alumna Claire Fowler '11 made her US television directorial debut on the latest season of Manifest, the hit series from Netflix.
Last week marked the opening of the fourth annual Global Forms Theater Festival. Running through June 11, 2023, this year’s festival shines a spotlight on a group of talented artists from the School of the Arts.
The winners of the 67th annual Drama Desk Awards were announced on May 31, 2023, and several projects from Columbia artists are among the winners.
Theather alumna Jillian Walker ’17 presents The Whitney Album at the Soho Rep Theatre in New York City.
In The Guest, the latest book from Emma Cline ’13, summer is coming to a close.
Fireworks Every Night (Random House, 2023), a debut novel by Beth Raymer ’08, offers a poignant portrayal of a young woman struggling to navigate the tumultuous landscape of her family in 1990s South Florida.
In this series, we catch up with Columbia filmmakers who have recently graduated to chat about their time in the Film Program, what they’re doing now, and their goals for the future. This week, we spoke with alumna Ellie Foumbi ’17.
Tali Keren '16 showcases her evocative exhibition Un-Charting in The James Gallery at CUNY Graduate Center, New York.