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
Alumnus Charles Browning ’06 will be taking over the role of Avery in the Broadway production of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson beginning January 17.
We talked about the adaptation of classical theatre texts and the importance of community engagement with Directing alumnus and Associate Artistic Director of the Classical Theatre of Harlem, Carl Cofield ’14.
The Fabelmans, co-written by alumnus Tony Kushner (CC '78) and director Steven Spielberg, was one of the winners at last night’s Golden Globe Awards.
Four Way Books is set to publish If Some God Shakes Your House by Writing alumna Jennifer Franklin '96 in March.
Arya, a short film by alumna Federica Belletti ’16, has been awarded the BAFTA-Yugo Short Film Commissioning Grant.
Film Student Minkyu Kang recently won a DGA Student Film Award for his short, Children of Light.
Thirst for Salt, a debut novel from Adjunct Associate Professor Madelaine Lucas ’19, is forthcoming from Tin House in March of this year.
The Literature Translation Institute of Korea, with support from the Korean Ministry of Culture, awarded alumna E. J. Koh ’13 the 2022 Translation Grand Prize in recognition of her translation of Yi Won's poetry collection, The World's Lightest Motorcycle, alongside the poet Marci Calabretta.
Playwriting alumnus Jeffrey James Keyes ’10 has been selected to join Pipeline Theatre Company’s PlayLab Class of 2023.
Translations by Adjunct Assistant Professor Megan McDowell, former Adjunct Assistant Professor Julia Sanches, and Writing alumna Hannah Kauders '20 are on the shortlist for this year’s Premio Valle Inclán, an annual prize for translators of full-length Spanish works.
Directing alumnus Kareem Fahmy ’07 has several upcoming world premieres and productions for his two new plays, American Fast and A Distinct Society, scheduled for 2023.
Visual Arts alumni Sophie Kovel ’22 and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Orlee Malka ’18, presented several works as part of Figural Realism, a group exhibition on view at Jenkins Johnson Projects in Brooklyn, NY.