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
Several films from Columbia students and alumni will head to the 30th annual Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF).
Three films worked on by Columbia filmmakers have been selected to screen at the 60th New York Film Festival, which began on September 30 and will run through October 16, 2022.
Directing student Chaesong Kim will perform in Lazarus 1972-2022 with Ping Chong and Company at La MaMa from September 29–October 16. The production is a reimagining of Ping Chong’s 1972 Lazarus, which was the first work he created as an independent artist.
The Forever Prisoner, Executive Produced by Former Adjunct Professor Rich Perello and Associate Produced by Creative Producing alumna Mahak Jiwani ’18, was awarded the honor of Outstanding Investigative Documentary at the 2022 News and Documentary Emmy Awards.
Recent alumna Maria Teresa Fidalgo '21 was selected for the Berlin-based Takt residency, which will run from January to March 2023.
Film Student Erin Ramirez’s project Love, as an Illusion was awarded the Sundance Institute's first ever Latine Fellowship. Ramirez was one of 11 emerging Latinx artists chosen, each with projects in differing stages of development.
Alumna Aisha Porter-Christie '13 will adapt Margaret Peterson Haddix’s young adult novel, Running Out of Time, for NBCU streamer, Peacock.
Alumna Cherien Dabis '04 is stepping in front of the camera to star in Mo, the new comedy series from Netflix.
Alumna J.D. Shields ‘18 has joined the team on a newly ordered ABC drama series, The Company You Keep starring and executive produced by Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us, Gilmore Girls).
Circa, recently published by Mariner Books, is the second novel from alumna Devi S. Laskar ’96.
Little Amal, a giant puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl who has thus far traveled over 9,000 kilometers through 12 countries, has made her way to NYC to explore the five boroughs.
Visual Arts alumnus Mark Yang ’20 engages flesh and masculinity in a solo show, Gymnós, at Half Gallery in New York City. This show will be on view from September 7 to October 7, 2022.