Discover where a degree from Columbia College Chicago can take you. Our alumni are shaping today’s creative industries—working for major networks, launching their own ventures, and earning recognition across the arts, media, and business. Explore how they’re making an impact—and how you can, too.
of grads become working professionals*
Average starting salary
Average salary 20 years post-graduation
animator and 3D modeler
Jessica Durbala specializes in motion graphics and animation, as well as CG modeling, live-action filming, and video editing. With three years of experience at American Pinball, she has developed a diverse skill set, from creatively directing a pinball game to filming and designing marketing promos and tutorials. She has filmed a wide range of live-action content, from mechanical tutorials to creative pieces for pinball machines.
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producer and production manager
Paul Garnes is an experienced producer, line producer, and production manager with a career spanning major studios like Disney, Dreamworks, HBO, and Paramount Pictures. He has held key roles at Foxx/King Productions and Simmons-Lathan Media Group. Garnes was recruited by Tyler Perry in 2006, where he oversaw operations and production, including the creation of Perry’s studio and backlot. He produced Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed 2011 film Middle of Nowhere and executive produced Selma in 2014, which earned multiple award nominations, including Academy Award and Golden Globe recognition. Garnes also produced the final season of the popular BET series The Game.
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director, cinematographer, and writer
Michael Goi, ASC, ISC is a highly accomplished director, cinematographer, and writer. He has directed popular television shows such as “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “The Rookie,” and “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” and wrote and directed the viral film “Megan Is Missing.” With over 70 narrative credits as a cinematographer, Goi’s work includes “American Horror Story,” “Glee,” and “Salem.” He has earned four Emmy nominations and recognition from the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) for his achievements. A past president of the ASC and an Honorary Member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers, Goi is also an advocate for international collaboration in cinematography.
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Singer-songwriter
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Megan Hammond, known professionally as m.e.h., has been making waves in the music scene with her unique blend of neo-soul and pop. After moving to Chicago in 2018 to attend Columbia’s Contemporary, Jazz, and Popular Music program, Hammond quickly gained attention for her standout vocal performances. Her genre-defying sound has earned her recognition, including a recent interview with WBEZ. Now 24, Hammond continues to captivate audiences with her innovative and vulnerable approach to music, performing at events like Lollapalooza’s Chicago Made Music Showcase on her birthday, and solidifying her place in the industry as an emerging artist.
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journalist and Emmy-winning producer
Katherine Iorio is an Emmy Award-winning producer for CNN, an international journalist, and a media consultant from Chicago. She holds a BA in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago and an MA in International Journalism from City University London. Katherine has covered a range of significant events in Chicago, including the NATO Summit and the 2012 Presidential Election, as well as international stories such as the Pope’s Holy Land Tour, the conflict in Ukraine, and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa during her time in London from 2013 to 2014.
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TV actress and author
Patricia Kara is a multifaceted entertainment professional with over thirty years of experience as an actress, model, spokesperson, and television personality. She is best known for her role alongside Howie Mandel in CNBC's "Deal or No Deal." Her extensive career includes appearances on "America’s Got Talent," "Extra," "Access Hollywood," and co-hosting with Donny Osmond on "TimeLife: Pop Goes the 70’s." Patricia has also worked with major brands like AT&T, Disney, and Toyota, released a workout video, and launched "Dish with Trish," an online food and culture series. She has authored the book “Dream on Now Deliver,” and has created her own instructional series, “Secrets to a Successful You.”
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Muralist/Illustrator
Mac McGuire has worked as a muralist in Chicago since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Illustration in 2024. She is currently working on her third self-published comic and has several mural proposals in the works. McGuire had the opportunity to come back to Columbia for a commissioned mural honoring the school’s 135 anniversary in 2025.
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Grammy-winning Gospel artist
Jonathan McReynolds, a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician from Chicago, has risen to prominence in Christian and contemporary gospel music. With collaborations with artists like Stevie Wonder, H.E.R., and Justin Bieber, McReynolds has earned numerous accolades, including 15 Stellars, 4 Doves, and BMI's Songwriter of the Year and Champion’s Award. He has also achieved six consecutive #1 radio singles and starred in the BET movie Favorite Son and TV series Sunday Best.
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Film and TV actor
Joseph Sikora is an award-winning American actor who studied acting at the Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston, Illinois, and at Columbia College Chicago where he received his BA degree in Theatre. Since 2014, Sikora has starred as “Tommy Egan” in the Power series (Power, Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book IV: Force). He also acted in Ozark, Chicago PD, and the animated series, Teenage Euthanasia.
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Stand-up comedian featured on Netflix and Comedy Central
Asha Ward is a stand-up comedian, actor and writer based in NYC. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2021 with a BA in Comedic Writing and Performance. She currently writes for Saturday Night Live and joined the 48th season as the show's youngest ever writer. She received her first Emmy nomination in 2023 for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. Her stand up has been featured on Netflix and Comedy Central.
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