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 of the Undergraduate Visual Arts Program Oscar yi Hou CC ‘21 has been named the recipient of the third annual UOVO prize.
Alumnus Jonathan Seinen ’20 directs and produces Ho Ka Kei’s Iphigenia and the Furies (On Taurian Land) at Theatre Passe Muraille, in Toronto, Ontario.
Joel Sedano, a current Poetry and Literary Translation student, and JoAnne “Jo-Joe” Lee, a graduate student in the School of Social Work, recently received a 2022 Racial Justice Mini-Grant for their proposed project, a podcast titled Resilience Against Power and Privilege (RAPP).
Third year Creative Producing student Stephanie Choriatis is the creator of Lights, Camera, TEACH, a new film education podcast.
Stay Awake, written and directed by alumnus Jamie Sisley '15 and produced by alumnus, Adjunct Professor and Senior Production Advisor Shrihari Sathe '09 received a special mention from the Generation 14plus youth jury.
The Directors Guild of America recently revealed this year’s TV nominees for the DGA Awards, and three Columbia filmmakers have received nominations.
Palm-Lined With Potience by Alumnus Basie Allen '19 will be published by Ugly Duckling Presse on March 15, 2022. The collection is now available for pre-order.
Alumna Abbigail Nguyen Rosewood '17, the founder of Neon Door, recently launched the site's first immersive literary exhibition. The website is now live at this link.
Playwriting alumnus Julián Mesri ’20 is the music director and orchestrator for Brian Quijada’s new musical, Somewhere Over the Border.
Current student Phoebe Brooks finds joy and spectacle through good-natured comedy in her thesis production, Der Ring Gott Farblonjet.
Dramaturgy alumna Lauren Whitehead '14 has been named a finalist for the 2022 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.
Jubilee for a New Vision by Playwriting alumnus Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko's ’09 will play at The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space on February 21 at 7 pm.