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 Shayok Misha Chowdhury '16 and fifth-year Directing student Hazel McKibbin have been named honoraria recipients of the esteemed 2022 Princess Grace Awards.
This year, alumna Daria Polatin ’07 logs an accomplishment many writers only dream of: adapting her own novel for the screen as the creator and showrunner of Netflix’s newest thriller series, Devil In Ohio.
Tribeca has announced the Audience Award winners for their 2022 festival, naming Our Father, The Devil, by Ellie Foumbi '17, Best Narrative Feature.
The winners of the 2022 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers were announced this month, among them alumnus Patrick James Errington ’15 as the winner in the poetry category for his ‘sonorous’ collection, If Fire, Then Bird.
Update: June 13, 2022 Several projects worked on by Columbia Theatre artists took home prizes at last night's 75th annual Tony Awards Ceremony.
The winners of the 66th annual Drama Desk Awards were announced on June 8, 2022, and several projects from Columbia artists are among the award winners.
After 11 days of screenings and celebrations, winners of the 75th Festival de Cannes have been announced. Congratulations to Joyland by Saim Sadiq '19, which took home the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard category.
In this series, we have featured the new Columbia mentorship program that connects recent alumni with industry professionals.
The debut novel of poet, translator, and alumna E.J. Koh ’13 will be published by Tin House Books, arriving in summer/fall 2023.
Animation Conversations is an interview series with Film faculty, students, and alumni where we discuss working as screenwriters, directors, and producers in the animation industry.
When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th, Poetry Alumna Laima Vincė '94 started a project to amplify the voices of Ukrainian women who are currently experiencing the war firsthand.
Trailblazing translator, Adjunct Assistant Professor, and alumna Katrine Øgaard Jensen ’17 has been honored with Denmark’s prestigious Kjeld Elfelt Memorial Grant. 2022 is the final time the grant will be awarded.