News

Columbia College Chicago Names Five Dean Appointments to Lead Academic Growth

As part of Columbia College Chicago’s Renaissance Rising initiative, the college has appointed five deans to lead its eight schools beginning August 16, 2026.

Colossal Founder Christopher Jobson ‘04 on Curiosity, Creativity, and “Curating Wonder”

Ahead of his June 3 AIGA Chicago conversation, Columbia College Chicago alum Christopher Jobson reflects on the interdisciplinary creative culture that helped shape contemporary art platform Colossal and Joy Machine gallery.

Award-Winning Chicago Architecture Center Tour Highlights Columbia’s Role in South Loop Revitalization

An award-winning Chicago Architecture Center tour explores Columbia College Chicago’s role in preserving architecture and shaping the South Loop.

Julie Minbiole Named Editor-in-Chief of “The American Biology Teacher”

Columbia College Chicago Associate Professor Julie Minbiole, PhD, has been named the next editor-in-chief of “The American Biology Teacher,” bringing her interdisciplinary approach to science education and scientific literacy to a national leadership role.

Columbia Students’ Animated Short “Frankie” Selected for Oscar-Qualifying New York International Children’s Film Festival

“Frankie,” a capstone animated short created by Columbia alums, has been selected for the 2026 New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Columbia’s Semester in LA Returns to the Fox Studio Lot for Speaker Series

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.

Bruce Mau Challenges Columbia Students to Design for the Full Human Experience

Bruce Mau, one of the most influential voices in contemporary design, visited Columbia College Chicago for an immersive presentation that asked students to rethink how design engages the senses.

Columbia College Chicago’s 25 Favorite Photos of 2025

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.

Top Stories of 2025: What Readers Loved Most

From new leadership to standout student and alumni achievements, here are the stories that captured the most attention on Columbia’s website in 2025.

Graphic Design Student Lands Career-Launching Role at L’Oréal

A Columbia class set Angie Belloso on a path to a full-time role in L’Oréal’s 2026 Management Trainee program.

Interior Architecture Student Receives Prestigious 2025 NEWH National Scholarship

Columbia College Chicago Interior Architecture student Eyerusalem Hagos has received the 2025 NEWH Scholarship sponsored by Tackett Hospitality, a competitive national honor in hospitality design.

Animation Professor John Losacco Wins International Award for “The Perfect Present”

Columbia College Chicago Animation professor John Losacco wins Best Animated Short Film in North America for “The Perfect Present.”

Columbia Lights Up State Street at Chicago’s Arts in the Dark Parade

Columbia College Chicago students brought light, sound, and imagination to the city’s annual Arts in the Dark parade on State Street.

Designing for Better Learning: Dave Broz Presents Research at Global Education Summit

Associate professor of Interior Architecture Dave Broz presented research at the researchED Education Summit in Brisbane, Australia.

Students and Faculty Explore Radical Futures in the Chicago Architecture Biennial

Columbia students and faculty are showcasing bold, community-focused projects in the 2025–26 Chicago Architecture Biennial

Columbia Senior’s Illustration Featured in Adobe Social Media Campaign

Senior Graphic Design major Angela Kalish turned a connection from the Adobe Creative Retreat into a high-profile commission, creating an illustration for Adobe’s back-to-school social media campaign.

Recent Columbia Graduates Win Second Place at AEJMC Student Magazine Awards for 'In Flux'

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.”

Columbia Students Explore Creativity and Culture in Japan

This summer, Columbia students participated in an immersive study abroad trip to Japan that sparked personal growth, cross-cultural collaboration, and new creative perspectives.

Robin Whatley and Research Team Discover North America’s Oldest Known Pterosaur

Faculty member Robin Whatley helped uncover North America’s oldest known pterosaur, a 209-million-year-old fossil that reshapes scientific understanding of prehistoric ecosystems.

Columbia Design Students Earn Global UX Award Nominations

Two student teams from Columbia College Chicago’s School of Design earned nominations for the 2025 International UX Awards in the New Talent category.

Columbia Animation Students’ Film Wins Multiple Animation Festival Awards

Columbia Animation students’ film “Hitchhiker” is winning national acclaim, earning awards at both the New York Short Animation Festival and Feel The Reel International Film Festival.

Science and Mathematics Professor Luis Nasser Publishes Research on Musical Harmony

Luis Nasser’s new paper explores the thermodynamic roots of why harmony sounds pleasing to the ear.

Animation Career Review Ranks Columbia’s Animation Program Among the Best in the Nation

Columbia College Chicago’s Animation program ranked #5 nationally among schools offering an Animation-related BA by "Animation Career Review."

Columbia Interior Architecture Students Selected for Metropolis Future100

Three interior architecture students were honored in “Metropolis” magazine’s 2025 Future100 list for their innovation and design excellence.

Smart Strands: Columbia Students Launch 'Braid' App for Textured Hair Education

Four seniors from Columbia’s UX/UI design program are addressing a longstanding gap in the beauty industry with Braid, an educational app offering extensive resources on textured hair care.

Students Launch “In Flux,” an Interactive Digital Magazine

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.

UX Design Students Develop App Prototype for Easier Campus Navigation

CampusNav, an app prototype developed by a UX Design student team, helps Columbia College Chicago students navigate campus and access key resources.

The Power of Persistence: Columbia College Chicago's Student-Led Gala Celebrates Creativity and Resilience

"The Power of Persistence" gala showcases student innovation, teamwork, and determination, all while raising funds for scholarships supporting student success.

School of Design Receives $75,000 Grant for Student-Led Game Development

The School of Design has been awarded a $75,000 Illinois Innovation Voucher grant to fund a student-led project developing an educational game focused on college and early career development.

Work of Columbia Alum and Adjunct Professor Shines on the Emmy-Winning Show FX’s ‘The Bear’

Adjunct Professor Lisa Korpan ’19 reflects on her pride in working as art director on FX’s “The Bear,” the impact of her Columbia education, and how her experience informs her teaching.

Welcoming Interim President Jerry Tarrer and a New Academic Structure for 2024-2025 School Year

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.

Summer Programs at Columbia Ignite Young Talent

Columbia College Chicago keeps its campus vibrant during summer with initiatives like Blues Camp, Design Your World, and Summer at Columbia, offering local youth immersive experiences in music, design, and media while fostering their creative futures.

Columbia College Chicago Honors 24 Alums for ‘24 in 2024’

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 Rock L’Oréal's Global Competition 

Angie Belloso, Brianna Jennes ’24, and Breyona Smith ’24 just had the trip of a lifetime to London, snagging second place at L'Oréal Brandstorm.

Columbia Students Partner With NASCAR to Create Race-Themed Games

You don’t have to be a race enthusiast to enjoy the interactive activities produced by Columbia students in preparation for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race.

Fashion Show Leverages Student Talent From Multiple Disciplines

Columbia students come together to produce and promote an end-of-year showcase of student fashion designs.

Spring Semester In Review At Columbia

Spring 2024: Columbia College Chicago Highlights

Get Ready for Manifest Arts Festival 2024, a Student-Powered Event

This is everything attendees need to know before Columbia College Chicago’s Manifest Arts Festival: Breakthrough 2024.

Columbia to Confer Honorary Degrees on Two Higher Education Trailblazers at its May 2024 Commencement

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

Meet the 2024 Manifest Student Team

Columbia College Chicago’s annual Manifest Arts Festival is a student-driven tradition that showcases the work of talented creatives across disciplines. Meet the team who is making Manifest into a reality.

Columbia Team Wins U.S. L'Oréal Brandstorm Competition for Fourth Year in a Row

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.

Students Enjoy Action-Packed South by Southwest

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.

Empowering Creatives at ShopColumbia

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.

Advertising Students Discuss the Best Super Bowl Ads of 2024

Columbia College Chicago students got together in their Communication Department courses to discuss the details of the biggest night in advertising

Student-Run C3 Expo Welcomes Anime and Manga Fans to Columbia

Columbia students hosted a pop culture extravaganza that showcased student art, event-planning savvy, and love of cosplay.

Student-Produced Musical Theatre Concert Set for Feb. 15-16

Columbia students are collaborating to present the inaugural Musical Theatre Dance Concert.

Apollo Baldoz ’09 Created Visuals for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

Apollo Baldoz ’09 was part of the design and animation team that created the visuals for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

Stand Up, Speak Out with Actress and Playwright Regina Taylor

Columbia College Chicago, in partnership with award-winning actress and playwright Regina Taylor, launched a community-based project series called Black Album Mixtape.

June Events at Columbia College Chicago

A range of performances and experiences showcasing student and faculty artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Columbia Professor, Alum Explore Conversational AI in New Book

Professor Laurence Minsky and Scot Westwater '99 delve into the evolving landscape of marketing, analyzing the power of Conversational AI in their new book.

Corporate Collaboration Presents Students Opportunity to Bring Gift Bag Designs to Market

Students at Columbia College Chicago learn the art and business of design thanks to partnership with gift bag seller and marketing firm.

Columbia College Chicago Announces the 2023 Chicagoland Transfer Awards

The award provides ten $15,000 scholarships and one full-tuition scholarship to students transferring from Chicago-area community colleges to Columbia College Chicago.

Columbia Ranked No. 1 Illustration School in Illinois

‘Animation Career Review’ announces 5th annual rankings in Illustration, with Columbia College Chicago topping the list.

Columbia Launches Advertising and Marketing Campaign

The Spring 2023 campaign targets prospective students across the United States.

Three-Peat First-Place Win for Columbia's L'Oréal Brandstorm Team

Student team from Columbia College Chicago wins innovation competition by leveraging new technologies to promote brand.

Assistant Professor Dave Pabellon on Design, Equity, and Communities of Protest

Why leaning into connections and fostering relationships is more important than ever.