Explore news from the School of Communication and Culture
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association honors Columbia College Chicago’s “Allium, A Journal of Print & Prose” with a Silver Collegiate Crown Award and individual recognition for students and their poetry.
Columbia College Chicago’s top-notch student-led media outlet recognized again for excellence in collegiate journalism.
The “Chronicle,” Columbia College Chicago's student-run media outlet, brings home 34 awards — including nine first-place honors and the division sweepstakes title.
Journalists Jake Wittich ‘17, managing editor of “Windy City Times,” Anna DeShawn, founder of E3 Radio, and guest speakers share their expertise in a six-week program on community journalism at Columbia College Chicago.
Students from Columbia College Chicago will engage with entertainment industry leaders on the same lot where “Avatar,” “The Sound of Music,” and other great films were made.
Students channel their inner Jimmy Kimmels to create “Columbia After Dark.”
From the thousands of images she captured in 2025, Columbia College Chicago alum and staff photographer Julie Lucas ’96 curated 25 standout photos that show Columbia at its best.
From new leadership to standout student and alumni achievements, here are the stories that captured the most attention on Columbia’s website in 2025.
WCRX, Columbia College Chicago’s student-run radio station, brings back its annual fundraiser and broadcast to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Celebrated artist and activist Tonika Lewis Johnson ’03 returns to Columbia College Chicago to reflect on receiving the “genius grant” and the work that brought the recognition.
The Chicago Journalists Association recognizes Jake Wittich ’17, managing editor of “Windy City Times,” for coverage of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community and the media outlet’s digital revitalization.
Columbia College Chicago students brought light, sound, and imagination to the city’s annual Arts in the Dark parade on State Street.
In recognition of Columbia College Chicago’s 135th anniversary, students collaborate with the school’s archivists and the Hokin Gallery to tell Columbia’s story.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation recognizes the Englewood native and Columbia College Chicago graduate, who uses creativity as a catalyst for social change.
Columbia College Chicago Associate Professor Elio Leturia was recognized for addressing the challenging issue of artificial intelligence through creative teaching.
The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) recognized the story “Surviving the Housing Crisis,” which appeared in the Columbia College Chicago student-created interactive digital publication “In Flux.”
This summer, Columbia students participated in an immersive study abroad trip to Japan that sparked personal growth, cross-cultural collaboration, and new creative perspectives.
Erin McCarthy has been awarded a national teaching fellowship from the HistoryMakers.
"The Columbia Chronicle," Columbia’s student-led news outlet, earned the Peter Lisagor Award for Best Campus Coverage and was named a finalist in the Best Email Newsletter category.
Thanks to scholarships, students attended the 2025 Chicago Women's History Conference, gaining insights into women's history and the future of women’s rights.
Columbia College Chicago’s School of Communication and Culture holds open house to introduce Columbia community to new Digital Content Studio and upgraded Live TV Studio.
Niko Gerentes ’18, a Columbia College Chicago alum, voices four distinct characters in the animated short “The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis.”
Molly Williams, who earned her BA in Fiction Writing at Columbia College Chicago, will pursue a PhD at the University of Cambridge, focusing on Victorian literature and ecological ethics.
Columbia College Chicago’s student newspaper “The Columbia Chronicle” won the sweepstakes for the mid-sized school category at the Illinois College Press Association Awards.
Alum Michelle Brady ’07, a military veteran and attorney, proves it’s never too late to return to the literary world.
Columbia College Chicago Journalism alum Katherine Iorio ’13 wins Emmy for CNN's breaking news coverage of the Israel-Hamas War as part of CNN's team that covered outbreak of Israel-Hamas conflict.
Columbia College Chicago and partners will host the Chicago premiere of “Meanwhile,” a powerful documentary about art and resilience directed by Catherine Gund.
Columbia College Chicago students from six majors collaborated to create “In Flux,” an innovative interactive magazine that addresses real-world issues through bold storytelling and cutting-edge design.
"The Power of Persistence" gala showcases student innovation, teamwork, and determination, all while raising funds for scholarships supporting student success.
Columbia's bilingual students at The Chronicle gain invaluable guidance working with a newly appointed bilingual faculty advisor.
Columbia students and alums are among those who came together with NBCUniversal executives and reporters to network and learn more about AI.
Columbia College Chicago kicks off the new academic school year with a renewed spirit and excitement to welcome freshmen and transfer students to its South Loop campus on September 3.
Nine Columbia students got their 15 minutes of fame on the popular Sound Opinions podcast with hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot. The special edition episodes aired interviews with Columbia students who are up-and-coming writers, musicians, and photographers.
The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication recognizes the Columbia College Chicago student publication for its exceptional creativity in showcasing Chicago's Latino artistic community.
As a kickoff to Columbia College Chicago’s 135th Anniversary, the college is honoring 24 distinguished alumni across all disciplines as part of “24 in 2024,” a college-wide initiative that celebrates Columbia alumni and their career accomplishments.
Columbia students come together to produce and promote an end-of-year showcase of student fashion designs.
Jackie Spinner takes home award for her opinion piece about student journalism.
Spring 2024: Columbia College Chicago Highlights
This is everything attendees need to know before Columbia College Chicago’s Manifest Arts Festival: Breakthrough 2024.
Higher education leaders Nivine Megahed, president of National Louis University, and Raymond E. Crossman, president of Adler University, will be honored at the college’s 2024 Commencement ceremonies
Dive into the world of children’s books and culture with associate professor Katie Paciga from Humanities, History and Social Sciences at Columbia College Chicago.
As the U.S. winners, students Angie Belloso, Breyona Smith, and Brianna Jennes earn an all-expense paid trip to London for the next stage of the international competition.
“The Columbia Chronicle” and the Science and Math Department collaborate to bring students, faculty, and staff together in Chicago’s Grant Park for the April 8 astronomical event.
Led by dedicated faculty, Columbia students journeyed to Austin for immersive experiences, collaborative projects, and valuable networking opportunities, reinforcing the institution's commitment to practical education and student success.
Telemundo Chicago’s Iris Berríos, NBC Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern, and Latino News Network’s Hugo Balta — who teaches at Columbia — join forces to talk elections and issues surrounding getting out the LatinX vote.
From microplastics to sustainable swaps and the Columbia College Chicago Green Buildings Program (CCC – GBP), Science and Math Chair Beth Davis-Berg covers environmental sustainability ahead of Earth Day.
Columbia College Chicago’s student-led newspaper garners more prestigious awards and receives recognition for its crisis coverage.
Columbia College Chicago brings Toni Morrison's “The Bluest Eye" to the stage March 13-23, made possible by student collaboration in dance, theater, writing, and other creative disciplines.
Yonty Friesem, PhD, shares their experiences with the Illinois Media Literacy Coalition and Columbia’s Media for Social Impact program.
During Women's History Month, we honor female-identifying artists who make ShopColumbia a unique shopping experience in the heart of Columbia College Chicago’s campus.
Columbia's Theatre department will stage a powerful adaptation of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye," exploring racism's impact on an 11-year-old girl in 1940s Ohio.
"The Columbia Chronicle” team brings home 20 awards from the Illinois College Press Association, including first-place honors for general excellence, editorials, podcasts, and photojournalism.
Columbia College Chicago students got together in their Communication Department courses to discuss the details of the biggest night in advertising
Share signs of love and kindness through American Sign Language (ASL). Want to learn ASL? Columbia offers an ASL institute for beginners and intermediate learners.
Tom Eslinger, an advertising pro and assistant professor at Columbia College Chicago, offers his insights on Super Bowl advertising.
Columbia students are collaborating to present the inaugural Musical Theatre Dance Concert.
ASL students gathered for two-day conference featuring creative performances and ASL learning sessions at Columbia College Chicago
Columbia launched the school’s first student newspaper “CC Writer” in 1973. Renamed “The Columbia Chronicle” in 1978, the news source now reaches its audience via multiple channels including its website and special quarterly print editions.
Funds raised by Columbia’s annual Unleashed Gala — an immersive experience designed, curated, and driven by students — make a difference for students.
Columbia College Chicago is proud to announce that the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) granted the ASL-English Interpretation bachelor’s program with a 10-year accreditation extension in October 2023.
At the International Conference and Training on Digital and Media Education, Yonty Friesem discusses how Columbia students learn to identity misinformation.
The Journalism and Women Symposium comes to Columbia with invited speaker Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of Interior, and offers important takeaways for Journalism students.
Columbia College Chicago, in partnership with award-winning actress and playwright Regina Taylor, launched a community-based project series called Black Album Mixtape.
A range of performances and experiences showcasing student and faculty artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Professor Laurence Minsky and Scot Westwater '99 delve into the evolving landscape of marketing, analyzing the power of Conversational AI in their new book.
Six students win scholarships thanks to arts criticism and songwriting competitions, earning them spots on the popular podcast hosted by Associate Professor Jim DeRogatis and fellow music critic Greg Kot.
"The Columbia Chronicle" is one of eight collegiate newsrooms awarded a $10,000 grant to incorporate solutions journalism into their media operations.
Perched upon Columbia College Chicago’s 600 S. Michigan building, the new tower houses an antennae and transmitter that relays a clearer and more reliable signal to downtown Chicago.
The award provides ten $15,000 scholarships and one full-tuition scholarship to students transferring from Chicago-area community colleges to Columbia College Chicago.
“Our Chicago: Freedom Music,” a celebration of freedom expressed through the music of Chicago’s Black community, will feature Adjunct Faculty Member Andre Daniels (aka Add-2) and Alum CaSera Heining ’17 (aka DJ Ca$h Era).
Robert Hanserd is among 12 awardees of fellowship that provides opportunities to demonstrate how faculty can creatively incorporate the HistoryMakers’ African American video oral history archive into curricula.
Haley Patton, a Film and Television major at Columbia College Chicago, earns spot on the 2023 ALL In Student Voting Honor Roll.
A team of Columbia College Chicago students create an integrated campaign for PETA and get global recognition for their work.
Long-time "Chicago Tribune" theatre critic Chris Jones and jazz legend and former Columbia faculty member Bobbi Wilsyn will be honored at the college’s 2023 Commencement ceremonies.
The Spring 2023 campaign targets prospective students across the United States.
“The Latinx Word,” a collaborative magazine project produced by Associate Professor Elio Leturia and his students, is one of the works nominated for a Society of Professional Journalists, Chicago Headline Club Lisagor Award.
Student team from Columbia College Chicago wins innovation competition by leveraging new technologies to promote brand.
Associate Professor Elio Leturia will interview the Jeff Award-nominated singer and performer Ana Santos for his Latino Voices class.
"The Columbia Chronicle" staff wins big and takes home 13 first place awards, including one for DEI coverage.
“Morocco, Morocco” was directed by Associate Professor Jackie Spinner and funded in part by Columbia College Chicago.
Columbia students in media arts to benefit from scholarships, training, and enhanced course content as part of a dynamic new partnership.
NRF Foundation scholarship recipients from Columbia place second in Student Challenge and enjoy three days of fashion industry events and networking opportunities.
In April, five Columbia College Chicago scholarship winners will travel to New York City where the Fashion Scholarship Fund will recognize the students at a gala event.
Alum Paige Barnes ’21 recalls how her experiences at Columbia paved the way to her current roles as morning anchor and reporter at WSBT in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan