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Faculty Spotlight

At Columbia College Chicago, we believe that those who are actively engaged in the subjects they teach are uniquely qualified to share their expertise in the classroom. That's why our faculty comprises industry leaders who bring the most contemporary, innovative thinking to the structure and delivery of our curriculum. At Columbia, you’ll find talented, diverse educators who share a passion for creative work that reflects, supports and, most importantly, shapes the culture of our times.

  Faculty Listing

A comprehensive directory of full- and part-time faculty.
  • head shot of wenhwa tsao

    Columbia's Wenhwa Tsao Screens Personal Short Film at DC Indie Festival

    Feb 06, 2026

    Wenhwa Tsao, interim co-director of the School of Film and Television at Columbia College Chicago, brings a story of labor, love, and resilience to the DC Independent Film Festival.

  • group of people standing in front of vogue signage

    Czech Edition of 'Vogue' Spotlights Professor’s Leadership

    Dec 15, 2025

    “Vogue CS” lists Associate Professor Sandra Kumorowski among their featured leaders thanks to her work advancing arts marketing education via Columbia’s Prague Global Marketing practicum.

  • three people standing in front of film festival step and repeat sign

    Columbia Filmmakers Win Big at Festivals

    Dec 04, 2025

    “Traces of Home,” produced by Associate Professor Dan Rybicky, wins the Grand Jury Prize at DOC NYC, while “The Game Camera,” produced by Associate Professor Carolina Posse and created with Columbia talent, receives several festival awards.

  • person holding award in front of step and repeat sign with pcc on it

    Columbia Professor Wins Award for Media Relations Excellence

    Sep 24, 2025

    Kevin Christophersen, an associate professor at Columbia College Chicago, takes home the Silver Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago.

  • photo of two people posing in front of hollyshorts sign

    Columbia Filmmaker’s 'Lineage' Screens at Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Festival

    Aug 18, 2025

    Michelle West, assistant director and adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago’s Semester in LA program, wrote, directed, and produced the very personal film in collaboration with Columbia alums and faculty.

  • still from American Parent with the title and Roku in text on image

    Two Columbia-Connected Films Find a Home on Streaming

    Jul 28, 2025

    Make plans to watch “American Parent” and “Dawn Dusk”— two films rooted in personal storytelling and backed by Columbia College Chicago talent.

  • fernando jones wearing hat and holding guitar

    July 6-11 Named International Fernando Jones' Blues Camp Week by Illinois Governor

    Jul 02, 2025

    Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Fernando Jones, an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago, will offer a free blues camp for school-aged musicians at Columbia’s Music Center.

  • head shot of erin mccarthy

    Columbia Associate Professor Awarded Prestigious Fellowship for Innovative Teaching

    Jun 20, 2025

    Erin McCarthy has been awarded a national teaching fellowship from the HistoryMakers.

  • photo of jerry brindisi holding award statuette

    Columbia's Jerry Brindisi Wins 2025 Music Business Educator of the Year Award

    May 15, 2025

    Columbia College Chicago congratulates Jerry Brindisi, interim director of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, on his Music Business Association win.

  • person conducting orchestra

    Columbia Audio and Music Professor Named Finalist for American Prize in Composition

    Apr 30, 2025

    Philip Seward received recognition for the opera “A House Divided,” which he composed with the support of a Columbia College Chicago Faculty Development Grant.

  • head shot of molly schneider

    Columbia Associate Professor Molly Schneider Wins 2025 Broadcast Historian Award

    Mar 10, 2025

    Molly Schneider, PhD, receives the prestigious award for her book “Gold Dust on the Air: Television Anthology Drama and Midcentury American Culture.”

  • head shot of karla rae fuller

    Ten Women Who Shaped Film: Columbia Professor Shares Her Picks for Most Influential Female Filmmakers

    Mar 07, 2025

    Karla Rae Fuller, PhD, a professor at Columbia College Chicago and author of a recent book on inclusive screenwriting, shares her perspective on the women who have had the most profound impact on film.

  • Photo

    Columbia College Chicago Theatre and Audio/Music Alumni and Faculty Nominated for Jeff Awards

    Mar 05, 2025

    Columbia College Chicago alumni and faculty from the schools of Theatre and Dance and Audio and Music have earned nominations for the Jeff Awards, which celebrate excellence in Chicago theatre.

  • Photo

    Academy Award Voter Kubilay Uner Talks Oscar-Nominated Film Scores

    Feb 24, 2025

    Kubilay Uner, director of Columbia College Chicago’s top-rated Music Composition for the Screen program, reflects on his first year as voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and shares his insights on this year’s five nominated original film scores.

  • Photo

    New Article by Columbia Professors Explores the Legacy of Sonic Pioneer Steve Albini and Electrical Audio

    Feb 13, 2025

    The authors look at the entrepreneurial approach and lasting impact of the late Steve Albini on the music industry, highlighting his dedication to artistic integrity and fairness through his studio, Electrical Audio.

  • head shot of carolina posse

    Columbia College Chicago's Carolina Posse Selected for Prestigious Alex Trebek Legacy Fellowship

    Sep 26, 2024

    The fellowship, offered by the Television Academy Foundation, provides essential support for educators attending the foundation’s annual Media Educators Conference, which occurs October 9 to 11.

  • Photo

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

    Sep 19, 2024

    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.

  • Photo

    Theatre Advisory Board Launches with Inaugural Event Honoring Sheldon Patinkin

    Sep 04, 2024

    The new Theatre Advisory Board, comprised of alumni and industry leaders, celebrates the life and legacy of Sheldon Patinkin at their inaugural event, September 21.

  • Photo

    Columbia TV Expert Predicts This Year’s Emmy Winners

    Sep 04, 2024

    Dr. Sharon Marie Ross, an associate professor in Film and TV, shares her best bets for this year’s Emmy winners, from the epic revival of “Shogun” to the controversial comedy nominee “The Bear.”

  • Photo

    GRAMMY-Winning Columbia Faculty Member Inducted Into Chicago Blues Hall of Fame

    Aug 08, 2024

    Michael Freeman, who teaches in the School of Audio and Music at Columbia, inducted as a "Legendary Producer."

  • Students working on the "Curious Bunny" mural on the Student Center.

    Students Paint the Town: Columbia and Partners Expand Wabash Arts Corridor With New Murals

    Aug 01, 2024

    Columbia College Chicago, in strategic partnership with Behr Paint, The Home Depot, and One Summer Chicago, is transforming the Wabash Arts Corridor with vibrant new murals.

  • Photo

    Columbia's Kubilay Uner to Join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

    Jul 01, 2024

    Kubilay Uner leads Columbia’s Music Composition for the Screen program, which has been ranked the best in the world by “The Hollywood Reporter.”

  • Photo

    Columbia Faculty, Alums Chosen for Walder Foundation's 2024 Platform Awards

    Jun 25, 2024

    The Walder Foundation has named three Chicago-based performing artists, including two Columbia College Chicago alumni and one faculty member, as recipients of its prestigious 2024 Platform Awards.

  • Photo

    Adjunct Faculty Member to Perform at Midsommarfest Street Festival

    Jun 07, 2024

    Ryan Black, who teaches Audio classes at Columbia, joins NÆ on stage in Chicago’s Andersonville Neighborhood on June 8.

  • head shot of jackie spinner standing in front of window

    Columbia Professor Jackie Spinner Wins Prestigious Media Award

    May 14, 2024

    Jackie Spinner takes home award for her opinion piece about student journalism.

  • rachel jimenez penca poses in front of a rack of clothes and shoes

    Ask the Expert: How to Style Yourself for Graduation

    Apr 30, 2024

    Columbia College Chicago Adjunct Professor Rachel Jimenez Penca uses her personal styling expertise to advise graduates on what to wear on their big day.

  • Photo

    Celebrating World Book Day with Caldecott Award Committee Member Katie Paciga

    Apr 22, 2024

    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.

  • Photo

    Ask the Expert: Beth Davis-Berg on Environmental Science

    Apr 02, 2024

    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.

  • Photo

    DARKROOM Leap Night Celebrates Excellence in Photography on the Rare Extra Day of the Year

    Mar 11, 2024

    Silver Camera Awardee Dawoud Bey was honored at DARKROOM for lasting legacy on Columbia College Chicago’s Photography Department and the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) .

  • yonty friesem in front of bus

    Associate Professor Yonty Friesem Presents Keynote Address on Media Literacy in Brussels

    Mar 07, 2024

    Yonty Friesem, PhD, shares their experiences with the Illinois Media Literacy Coalition and Columbia’s Media for Social Impact program.

  • Photo

    Film Composer and Professor Discusses Original Score Oscar Nominees

    Mar 04, 2024

    Kubilay Uner, who leads Columbia's top-ranked music composition for screen program, on his favorite Academy Award-nominated score and his best bet for this year's winner.

  • Photo

    Fashion Studies Chair Colbey Reid Publishes New Book and Article on the Domestic Posthuman

    Feb 12, 2024

    Columbia College Chicago’s Colbey Reid and her co-author look at various iterations of the posthuman and assert the need for alternative, feminist readings of technology and the future of humanity.

  • Photo

    Learn 5 ASL Signs to Spread the Love at Columbia College Chicago

    Feb 08, 2024

    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.

  • portrait of tom eslinger

    Super Bowl Ads: What Matters and What Works

    Feb 05, 2024

    Tom Eslinger, an advertising pro and assistant professor at Columbia College Chicago, offers his insights on Super Bowl advertising.

  • Chicagoland Transfer Award winner Meliha Calisir

    Book by Professor Larry Minsky and Co-Authors Named Finalist for Prestigious Marketing Award

    Jan 22, 2024

    Authors explore conversational AI’s impact on engagement, behavior, and brand image in book honored by the American Marketing Association Foundation.

  • Photo

    Then, Now, Next—The Dance Center at Columbia College Chicago’s 50th Anniversary Season Offers Joy and Solace

    Jan 18, 2024

    The Dance Center at Columbia College Chicago celebrates the present moment in dance with a series of firsts.

  • Andrew Whatley

    'Jeopardy!' Invites Columbia College Chicago Staff Member Back a Second Time

    Jan 02, 2024

    Andrew Whatley, Senior Director of Enrollment Marketing Communications, is BACK for a second time on Jeopardy! after making his first appearance on the show last year.

  • Photo

    Associate Professor in Communication Is Keynote Speaker at Fulbright Conference in Romania

    Nov 01, 2023

    At the International Conference and Training on Digital and Media Education, Yonty Friesem discusses how Columbia students learn to identity misinformation.

  • head shot of susan kerns

    Columbia Associate Provost Editor of New Book on 'Desperately Seeking Susan' Director Susan Seidelman

    Sep 26, 2023

    Film producer and feminist film festival co-founder Susan Kerns is editor of “ReFocus: The Films of Susan Seidelman,” which includes Kerns’ interview with the director.

  • head shots of laurence minsky and scot westwater

    Columbia Professor, Alum Explore Conversational AI in New Book

    Aug 16, 2023

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

  • Students and professor gather around table and look at gift bag designs.

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

    Jul 31, 2023

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

  • Andre/Casera

    Columbia Faculty and Alum to Be Featured on ABC7 Chicago’s Juneteenth Special

    Jun 16, 2023

    “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).

  • Photo

    Adjunct Faculty Member Ryan Black to Perform an Experimental Soundscape

    Jun 06, 2023

    Performance artists Ryan Black and JaNae Contag will present “Temporal Biomes,” an original project commissioned by 150 Media Stream, on June 14 and 15 at 150 N. Riverside Plaza in Chicago.

  • Photo of Heather Gilbert on a black background

    Columbia Professor Gilbert Nominated for Tony Award

    May 25, 2023

    Professor Heather Gilbert is nominated for second Tony in lighting design.

  • Photo

    Professor Susan Imus on the Therapeutic Impact of the Arts

    Apr 17, 2023

    Columbia College Chicago Professor Susan Imus shares how the healing power of art and performance led to a fulfilling career with a global impact.

  • graphic of paul giamatti head in center, splitting head of stephen asma in half

    Professor Stephen Asma Launches Podcast 'Chinwag' With Actor Paul Giamatti

    Apr 10, 2023

    Columbia Professor Stephen Asma partners with actor Paul Giamatti to dive into world of oddities in “Chinwag.”

  • Photo

    Columbia Faculty Reveal Keys to the Trade in New Book on Music Marketing

    Apr 03, 2023

    How experience and partnership inspired two BUSE faculty members to write the book they wished they saw in the world.

  • portrait of Rami Gabriel

    HHHS Associate Professor Publishes Book Decades in the Making

    Apr 03, 2023

    Columbia College Chicago History, Humanities, and Social Sciences Associate Professor Rami Gabriel’s new book “A Suspicious Science” was published by Oxford University Press.

  • Dave Pabellon

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

    Mar 13, 2023

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

  • Photo

    Adams Brings Journalism Skills to ECW Classroom

    Mar 06, 2023

    Journalist and new English and Creative Writing faculty member Joshua Adams follows his passions for teaching, writing to the Columbia College Chicago classroom.

  • portrait of james brust standing by window

    New Faculty Member Brings Expertise in Virtual Production to Columbia

    Mar 06, 2023

    Associate Professor James Brust joins Columbia to equip students with in-demand skills in virtual production and emerging technologies.

  • robert hanserd and Rami Gabrie with a group photo of individuals in Ghana

    Trip to Ghana Emphasizes Importance of Music, Culture, and Connection

    Feb 27, 2023

    Associate Professors Robert Hanserd and Rami Gabriel visited Ghana as part of their collaborative research on culture, identity, and diaspora.

  • Photo

    Instructor and Alum Vanessa Wright '02 on Filmmaking, Marketing, and Success at Cannes

    Feb 20, 2023

    How intention and community led to a life of advocacy and change-making.

  • Photo

    Ellen Winters Reynolds' Second Act as Professional Vocalist and Teacher

    Feb 20, 2023

    A love of music leads to a life-changing career shift for Ellen Winters Reynolds, an adjunct faculty member at Columbia College Chicago.

  • Photo

    CTVA Associate Professor to Discuss Her New Book on Diverse Screenwriting at the Chicago Cultural Center

    Feb 13, 2023

    Associate Professor Karla Rae Fuller will read from her latest book “Do the Right Thing: Five Screenplays That Embrace Diversity.”

  • tom eslinger poses in frong of vibrant green and black artwork

    Advertising Innovator Brings His Passion for Branded Entertainment to Columbia

    Feb 13, 2023

    Assistant Professor Tom Eslinger pitches branded entertainment to Columbia students.

  • head shot of robert hanserd

    HHSS Associate Professor Co-Authors Groundbreaking Book 'Five Hundred African Voices'

    Feb 13, 2023

    Associate Professor Robert Hanserd explores previously unknown African slave ship survivor tales in “Five Hundred African Voices.”

  • Photo

    Columbia Journalism Professor to Discuss Documentary with Pulitzer Prize Winner in D.C.

    Feb 06, 2023

    “Morocco, Morocco” was directed by Associate Professor Jackie Spinner and funded in part by Columbia College Chicago.

  • Photo

    Chicago Reporter Names Hugo Balta Executive Editor

    Feb 06, 2023

    Adjunct faculty member and Columbia parent Hugo Balta hopes new role at "The Chicago Reporter" brings opportunities to Columbia students.

  • Photo

    Fashion Studies Associate Professor Justin Dougan-LeBlanc Pushes Boundaries

    Jan 30, 2023

    Trained as an architect, Columbia College Chicago’s Justin Dougan-LeBlanc takes on challenges in both fashion and art.

  • Photo

    The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago Announces Interim Director

    Jan 06, 2023

    Meredith Sutton will become the interim director of the Dance Presenting Series.

  • G Thomas Allen Singing on stage

    Singer and Music Instructor G. Thomas Allen Celebrates Second GRAMMY Nominated Project

    Nov 21, 2022

    “When you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work,” says Allen.

  • faculty member John Losacco sitting at a desk in front of computer monitors

    Animation Offers Unexpected Professional Opportunities for Assistant Professor John Losacco

    Nov 21, 2022

    New full-time faculty member John Losacco worked as an arcade game animator for years before realizing that teaching animation could be just as fun.

  • Photo

    Making the Intangible Tangible: Filmmaker and Associate Professor Carolina Posse Helps Turn Ideas Into Films

    Oct 31, 2022

    A Columbia associate professor and alum, Carolina Posse journeys from South America to Chicago to make movies and transform students into filmmakers.

  • Photo

    Wilfredo Cruz on his Latest Book, 'Latinos in Chicago: Quest for a Political Voice'

    Oct 10, 2022

    Associate Professor of Humanities, History, and Social Sciences Wilfredo Cruz is ready to spark a conversation about the lesser-known history of Chicago politics. 

  • Photo of Bill Guschwan standing.

    Juggling Act

    Sep 26, 2022

    Associate Professor Bill Guschwan enjoys many roles, including juggler, mental wellness advocate, and teacher of game design and programming

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Faculty Listing

A comprehensive directory of full- and part-time faculty for each school.

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