Columbia In The News: 2026
Links to external media stories that feature or mention Columbia College Chicago.
After winning a first-ever ruling, Tim Kappel and Loren Wells, an associate professor at Columbia College Chicago, tell "Billboard" they're ready for a Supreme Court fight: "I like our argument better than I like theirs." Hometown Pride Guides James Gutierrez '97 Home for Film Screening
The News-Gazette, Apr 08, 2026"ManDate," a film written and directed by Columbia College Chicago alum James Guitierrez, will screen in Danville, Illinois. The feature film stars Jon Lovitz from "Saturday Night Live." Future Film Composers Flock to Chicago
Axios Chicago, Apr 08, 2026Chicago is home to a top-ranked graduate program for film composers — Columbia College Chicago's Music Composition for the Screen MFA — an unexpected foothold in an industry dominated by Los Angeles and New York. Flashback to a Time When Government Reports Were Works of Art
Chicago Tribune, Apr 08, 2026Columbia College Chicago faculty member and graphic designer Guy Villa is featured in a Chicago Tribune story examining the visual history of government report design. Villa provides expert insight on how mid-20th century report covers used bold, intentional design to humanize complex data and engage audiences—contrasting sharply with today’s more generic, template-driven approaches. The Case for the Humanities in a Changing Job Market
Viewpoints Radio, Mar 29, 2026In a radio segment, Columbia College Chicago alum Anna VanWingerden '24 talks about how an english major doesn't box you into one career path. Spotlight on ‘Addictive’ Social Media Design After Landmark Verdict Against Meta, Google
EdSource, Mar 27, 2026Yonty Friesem, executive director of the Media Education Lab and associate professor at Columbia College Chicago, says the verdict is an indictment of social media companies that have targeted youths under the guise of free speech. How Early Black Chicagoans Used Photography to Redefine Their Image
NPR/WBEZ, Mar 26, 2026In an episode of "Curious City," Amy Mooney, professor of art history at Columbia College Chicago, discusses how early Black photographers in Chicago shaped representations of their communities and contributed to a broader artistic legacy.
Rashid Johnson, the Artist Who Photographed Jay-Z’s GQ Cover, Drew Inspiration From the Harlem Renaissance
GQ, Mar 24, 2026In GQ, Columbia College Chicago alum Rashid Johnson '00 discusses photographing Jay-Z for the magazine’s April issue, drawing on influences from the Harlem Renaissance to frame the artist as a contemporary Black thinker. Chicago 2050: Tonika Lewis Johnson Imagines a City Skyline That Bridges Racial Dividing Lines
Chicago Tribune, Mar 22, 2026In an op-ed for the Chicago Tribune, Columbia College Chicago alum Tonika Lewis Johnson '03 explores how Chicago’s skyline reflects decades of racial and economic segregation, drawing on her "Folded Map" project to illustrate disparities between neighborhoods. She challenges readers to reimagine a more equitable future where investment and opportunity extend across the entire city.
Women in an Ultra Bro Culture How to Protect Progress and Push Forward
COMMPRO, Mar 18, 2026In this opinion piece, Dominic Calabrese, an adjunct faculty member at Columbia College Chicago's School of Communication and Culture, discusses how recent political and cultural shifts have created new challenges for women’s rights and representation Alyssa Izquierdo on Building a Creator Agency Around the Contracts Nobody Else Was Reading
Net Influencer, Mar 17, 2026Alum Alyssa Izquierdo '16, who majored in broadcast journalism at Columbia Collee Chicago, launched Social Cafe Agency in Los Angeles, a boutique talent management firm representing women of color, primarily Latina and Black creators, across platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Like the River, Natya Dance Theatre Flows Through and Beyond 50 Years
Chicago Tribune, Mar 15, 2026Chicago Tribune highlights Natya Dance Theatre’s 50th anniversary, noting its deep ties to Columbia College Chicago through performances at the Dance Center while celebrating founder Hema Rajagopalan’s legacy of evolving Bharatanatyam within Chicago’s cultural landscape. Who Is Chase Infiniti? Recreate the Breakout Star's 2026 Oscars Look
USA Today, Mar 15, 2026USA TODAY highlights Chase Infiniti '22 as the breakout star of Best Picture winner “One Battle After Another,” noting her rise as both a standout performer and a defining style voice of the 2026 awards season after topping best-dressed lists at the Oscars. Chase Infiniti’s 2026 Oscars Came With a Custom Dress and 57 Carats of Diamonds
Vogue , Mar 16, 2026Vogue spotlights Columbia College Chicago alum Chase Infiniti’s Oscars debut, where she wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown and over 57 carats of De Beers diamonds while celebrating her film “One Battle After Another” winning Best Picture. Columbia Associate Professor Emeritus Recaps Oscars Predictions
ABC-7 Chicago, Mar 16, 2026ABC-7 Chicago welcomed back Ron Falzone, associate professor emeritus at Columbia College Chicago, to discuss this year's Oscar wins and the predictions he made on his pre-Oscar appearance on the morning show. Breaking Down Oscars 2026 Predictions With Chicago Expert
Fox 32, Mar 14, 2026ChicagoLive counts down to the 2026 Oscars ceremony with Ronald Falzone, an associate professor emeritus at Columbia College Chicago. Column: Crying a Lot at Oscar Movies Lately? It’s Not Just You.
Chicago Tribune, Mar 12, 2026In a reflection on this year’s most emotional Oscar contenders, the Chicago Tribune highlights Columbia College Chicago alumnus Chase Infiniti’s performance in “One Battle After Another,” noting the impact of a key scene in the Best Picture nominee. Physical Theater Festival Chicago Reveals Lineup for 13th Anniversary Celebration
BroadwayWorld , Mar 10, 2026BroadwayWorld announced the lineup for the 13th annual Physical Theater Festival Chicago (June 1–7), which will include performances at The Dance Center at Columbia College Chicago alongside Theater Wit. The festival features international and U.S. artists and introduces a new partnership with The Dance Center, which will host the Chicago premiere of Belgian company Chaliwaté. Here Are the Oscar Nominees for Best Picture — and Where You Can See Them Around Chicago
Chicago Tribune, Mar 10, 2026The Chicago Tribune highlighted Columbia College Chicago alumnus Chase Infiniti '22, who appears in the Best Picture–nominated film “One Battle After Another,” in a roundup of where Chicago audiences can watch this year’s Oscar contenders ahead of the March 15 Academy Awards ceremony. Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) : Silver Camera Award at Darkroom 2026 : Joel Sternfeld
The Eye of Photography, Mar 11, 2026The Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago (MoCP) honored Joel Sternfeld with the prestigious Silver Camera Award at Darkroom 2026 on Thursday, February 26, as part of the museum’s 50th anniversary celebration. 22 Things to Do in Chicago March 12-18
Chicago Sun-Times, Mar 13, 2026The Seldoms' Chicago premiere of “Floe” at Columbia College Chicago's Dance Center was included in The Sun-Times' list of cultural events for March 12-18. Columbia College Chicago to Formally Install its First Female and Black President in School's History
ABC 7 News, Mar 05, 2026ABC 7 featured the Investiture of Dr. Shantay N. Bolton, 11th President of Columbia College Chicago. Dr. Shantay N. Bolton was Formally Installed This Morning as Columbia's 11th President
WGN 9 , Mar 05, 2026Local news station WGN helped Columbia and the city of Chicago celebrate the Investiture of Dr. Shantay N. Bolton with a feature on their midday news segement. Dr. Shantay N. Bolton was Live on Air With FOX 32 for Her Investiture Ceremony Celebrations
FOX 32 Chicago, Mar 05, 2026FOX 32 helped Columbia College Chicago celebrate its new president during the Investiture Ceremony on Thursday, March 5. President Bolton spoke about the Renaissance Rising and the rebirth of Columbia to FOX 32 anchor Anita Blanton. Dr. Shantay N. Bolton Becomes the 11th President of Columbia College Chicago
CBS News Chicago, Mar 05, 2026Dr. Shantay N. Bolton officially became president at a ceremony called "Renaissance Rising: 135 Years Bold" in the student center on Wabash in Chicago's Loop. Interview with President Bolton featured on CBS News Chicago. Here Ae the Oscar Nominees for Best Picture — and Where You Can See Them Around Chicago
Chicago Tribune, Mar 04, 2026The "Chicago Tribune" provides guidance on where to watch Oscar-nominated films, giving a call-out to Columbia College Chicago alum Chase Infinity '22 who stars in "One Battle After Another," a best-picture nominee. The Future of John Oliver’s ‘Last Week Tonight’ Will Be a Stress Test for Paramount | Analysis
The Wrap, Mar 02, 2026Columbia College Chicago associate professor Anne Libera, director of Comedy Studies at The Second City, is featured in "The Wrap" analyzing the future of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” amid the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Libera says the media consolidation raises questions about creative freedom in late-night television, arguing that corporate leadership may prioritize control over prestige, positioning Oliver’s contract negotiations as a key test for the future of political comedy on HBO. Black History Month: Local Hip-Hop History Teacher, Emcee Talks Chicago Hip-Hop Origins, Contributions of Female Artists
WBBM Newsradio, Feb 27, 2026Amina Norman-Hawkins, an adjunct professor of instruction at Columbia College Chicago's School of Audio and Music, discusses hip-hop history and culture. What Was Caryl Churchill Smoking? And Other Chicago Highs
American Theatre, Feb 27, 2026Conchita Avitia ’18, a graduate of Columbia College Chicago’s Theatre Design BA program, is spotlighted in "American Theatre" as a rising Chicago lighting designer. The feature highlights her growing body of work across the city’s storefront and major stages, her passion project "Ruth on the Rocks," and her commitment to representation and mentorship in the field. Muskegon's Cinema Carousel to Screen Award-Winning Indie Film: Screenings Begin February 27 and Run through March 1
Fox 17 Western Michigan, Feb 23, 2026Columbia College Chicago alum Jake VanKersen '08 talks about his recent film "I Agree With You." In the video interview, Columbia gets a shout out thanks to fellow alum Michelle Dunaway '98, who is a co-host of Fox 17's "Morning Mix" in Western Michigan. Small Businesses Survive With Support From Their Communities, Chicago's Next Voices Columnist Writes
Chicago Sun-Times, Feb 21, 2026A 2025 survey found a drop in future confidence among small business owners. Next Voices columnist and Columbia College Chicago School of Business and Entrepeneurship alum Lashaunta Moore MA '22 responded by making a 12-month plan to buy products and services from local firms. ‘Subsurface’ Uplifts Human Creativity Over AI Slop
Chicago Reader, Feb 20, 2026Columbia College Chicago alums Brianna Yrene Ramirez '24, Jack Hale '25, and Alec Richard '25 and their production company Behind the Rock host a one-day exhibition and screening event on Feb. 21 that explores the tangible and communal elements of filmmaking.Taking on the Oscars
The Chicago Sun-Times, Feb 20, 2026Michael AJ Wright, a filmmaker and adjunct professor of instruction at Columbia College Chicago, gives credit to the late Jesse Jackson for sounding the alarm about marginalization in the film industry. Harper College’s ‘Behind the Groove’ Exhibit Explores Music and Memory
Daily Herald, Feb 17, 2026Krista Franklin, MFA ’13 is featured in the Daily Herald for her exhibition “Behind the Groove” at Harper College, highlighting her collage-based work inspired by funk, pop, and R&B music culture. From Muslim Portraiture to a Nose Punch: Photography Exhibits to See This Spring
Chicago Tribune, Feb 17, 2026The Chicago Tribune mentioned The Museum of Contemporary Photography's “MoCP at Fifty: Collecting Through the Decades” exhibition, running through May 16.
Black History Month Rings in 100 Years as Educators Push to Preserve Heritage
WTTW - Chicago Tonight, Feb 11, 2026Robert Hanserd, a historian and associate professor at Columbia College Chicago's School of Communication and Culture, discusses how Black history is central to the American story and should be framed as beginning with African origins rather than slavery.
Leadership Greater Chicago Selects Distinguished Chicago Leaders for The Daniel Burnham Fellowship
Patch, Feb 10, 2026Dr. Shantay N. Bolton, President and CEO of Columbia College Chicago, is among the 27 top executives to join the esteemed fellowship network dedicated to activating civic engagement to drive transformative change. Best, Worst, Surprising Commercials of Super Bowl LX
ABC-7 Chicago, Feb 09, 2026Peg Murphy, an associate professor in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Columbia College Chicago, shares her insights about this year's Super Bowl ads. Grant Park Music Festival Director Featured During Super Bowl Halftime Show
ABC-7 Chicago, Feb 09, 2026Carmelo Esterrich, a professor in the School of Communication and Culture at Columbia College Chicago, talks about the performance of Bad Bunny at this year's Super Bowl half-time show. Why Art Colleges Must Lead the AI Conversation
The EvoLLLution, Feb 05, 2026Emmanuel Lalande, Columbia's Senior Vice President for Enrollment Strategy and Student Success, was quoted in a story from "The EvoLLLution" that cautions against avoiding or resisting artificial intelligence in creative education. Meet the Class of Windy City Times’ 2026 Community Journalism Cohort
Windy City Times, Feb 04, 2026Six early-career and journalism-curious storytellers, including Columbia alum Patience Hurston, will learn the ins and outs of reporting on underserved communities this spring in Windy City Times and E3 Radio’s second-annual Our Stories, Our Power program. This year’s cohort is made possible with support from Columbia College Chicago and a grant from Press Forward National, a funder collaborative led by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation that is dedicated to strengthening and sustaining local news. Becky Raisman – ‘Earth Goddesses’ EP
Obscure Sound, Feb 04, 2026Columbia College Chicago alum Becky Raisman '07 presents a vibrant vision of femininity and perseverance on her new pop-forward EP. A New Exhibit at Museum of Contemporary Photography Takes Visitors on a Trip Through Time
Chicago Sun-Times, Feb 04, 2026Through carefully selected works from the last five decades of the museum’s history, the exhibition hopes to keep the art of storytelling and documenting history through photography relevant in the digital age. Dana Connell on Allbirds’ Shift Back to Ecommerce
Digital Commerce 360, Jan 30, 2026Dana Connell, director of external scholarships and associate professor of fashion studies at Columbia College Chicago, explains why rising brick-and-mortar costs and advances in direct-to-consumer platforms are pushing Allbirds to refocus on ecommerce. Analog as Antidote in the Age of AI
Crisis Magazine , Jan 30, 2026In an opinion piece on AI and authenticity, Greg Foster-Rice, associate provost for student retention initiatives and associate professor of photography at Columbia College Chicago, shares how students are turning back to film, darkrooms, and analog tools in search of work that feels tangible, human, and real. New Exhibit at Columbia’s Museum of Contemporary Photography Celebrates 50 Years of Collecting
WBBM, Jan 30, 2026The Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago's newest exhibit titled "MoCP at Fifty: Collecting Through the Decades" celebrates five decades of collecting. Ross Sawyers Photography Exhibition Opening Reception
Chicago Reader , Jan 28, 2026Associate Professor Ross Sawyers' solo exhibiton, "The Future Still Isn't What It Used to Be" opens February 1 at The Riverside Arts Center. The exhibition traces over two decades of work by Ross Sawyers, an artist who uses photography, sculpture, and drawing to explore the relationship between architecture and human aspiration. ‘I’m Only Blind’ Documentary Features Evanston Native Who Refuses to Let Disability Define Him
Evanston RoundTable, Jan 27, 2026The film "I'm Only Blind" was directed by filmmaker Kamelya Alexan '07, a Columbia College Chicago alum. It won Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary last year at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. Nikki Cameron '10 Named VP, Development At Bunim/Murray Productions
TV NewsCheck, Jan 27, 2026Nikki Cameron '10, a Columbia College Chicago graduate who earned a degree in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, has been named VP of Development at Bunim/Murray Productions. Cameron has been with Bunim/Murray since 2021, contributing to several of the company’s signature series including the Emmy-winning "Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” for Amazon Prime Video and "Family or Fiancé" at OWN.
Surprises: ‘Wicked: For Good’ Shut Out of Main Categories, Paul Mescal and Chase Infiniti Make the Cut After Oscar Misses
Variety, Jan 27, 2026“One Battle After Another” star Chase Infiniti '22 is now in the running for the leading actress BAFTA (as well as the Rising Star Award). Reflecting on 50 Years: MoCP Celebrates with Darkroom Benefit February 26
Chicago Gallery News, Jan 27, 2026Chicago Gallery News reported on MoCP's milestone celebration—50 years of championing photography in Chicago—and its annual benefit auction party, DARKROOM, happening February 26, 2026. Second City Changes Its Storied e.t.c. Stage to … Improv?
Chicago Tribune, Jan 23, 2026Anne Libera, associate professor and director of Comedy Studies in the School of Theatre and Dance, was featured in the Chicago Tribune discussing Second City’s decision to shift its e.t.c. Stage to a fully improvised format for the first time in the venue’s 43-year history. 2026 Oscar Nominations: 'Sinners' Expected to Top List for Awards
ABC-7 Chicago, Jan 22, 2026Columbia College Chicago film expert Ron Falzone shares his best bets for this year's Oscar nominees. Governance Under Pressure: Why Boards Make Abrupt Decisions—and Reverse Them
Forbes Online, Jan 21, 2026Adriel Hilton, vice president of institutional strategy and chief of staff at Columbia College Chicago, addresses the issue of board decision-making within the context of broader research on higher education governance. Oh My Goddess! Artist, Who Says He Doesn't Specialize in Portraits, Jumped at Chance to Paint Greek Goddess of Chaos and Destruction
Chicago Sun-Times, Jan 20, 2026Columbia College Chicago Illustration alum Alejandro Martell '22, known as Underseagravy, was featured in the Chicago Sun-Times for his mural of Eris, the Greek goddess of chaos and destruction, painted at ERIS Brewery and Cider House. Chicago-Bred Urban Comedy ‘Tube-E Movie’ Set for Nationwide Streaming Release on February 6
Screen Magazine, Jan 19, 2026"Tube-E Movie," written, produced, and directed by Film and TV alum William Adams '02, will premiere on February 6, 2026, streaming nationwide on PLEX. Tube-E Movie is a comedy that turns an eye on modern streaming culture and the conversations that surround it.
Chicago Professor on Carrying the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
ABC-7 Chicago, Jan 19, 2026Columbia College Chicago Historian and Associate Professor Robert Hanserd joined ABC7 on MLK Day. Capes & Blood Lassos: Maura Corey Talks Editing on Superhero Spinoff ‘Gen V’
Cinemontage, Jan 16, 2026Alum Maura Corey MFA '97, an editor for the Amazon Prime series "Gen V" (a spin-off of "The Boys"), is interviewed about her transition from working on commercial packages to unscripted television to comedy. The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2026
MovieMaker, Jan 15, 2026Chicago ranks #3 in this annual list thanks to shows like "The Bear," "Chicago Med," and "Chicago PD," and great educational institutions like Columbia College Chicago. Players 50 2026: The Institutions
New City, Jan 14, 2026Roell Schmidt and Meredith Sutton, producing director and artistic director of the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, were named to Newcity’s “Players 50 2026: The Institutions,” recognizing Chicago leaders shaping the city’s theater, dance, and performance landscape. The list also includes Daryl Brooks and Mark Frost, adjunct professors of instruction in The School of Theatre and Dance. Players 50 2026: The Producers and Places
NewCity, Jan 14, 2026Lawrence Daufenbach '08, executive director of the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture in Chicago, is recognized for his work revitalizing the landmark theater, bringing it back to its original mission by creating a place for those seeking an intellectual, physical and spiritual connection point. “The Ath” also launched its own in-house production wing and continues to host big-name acts while remaining accessible to local artists.
‘Watershed Ruling’: Appeals Court Says Musicians Can Win Back Their Copyrights Globally, Not Just in the U.S.
Billboard Magazine, Jan 12, 2026School of Business and Entrepreneurship Associate Professor Loren Wells' work as co-founder of the law firm Wells Kappel has culminated in a watershed appellate court decision affirming that music creators can reclaim their copyrights on a global basis. The ruling could mean major changes to how artists win back their music rights. MLK Day Presentations Highlight a Transformative Era in Chicago Politics
Herald News, Jan 13, 2026A powerful documentary about Black organizing and influence within the Chicago Democratic political machine, "Citizen Bowen" directed and edited by Columbia College Chicago Adjunct Professor Michael NG Wright, is coming to Carbondale and Springfield on Jan. 19, courtesy of a Southern Illinois University System Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday event.
Inside Brian Zieske’s Hybrid Approach to Recording
Provo Music Magazine, Jan 08, 2026In this feature article about Brian Zieske '04, an Audio Arts alum and sound engineer who onced worked under the legendary Steve Albini, Zieske discusses preserving the realness of analog recording, while refining it digitally. Yoonshin Park Includes Students' Artwork in Upcoming 'Prompt and Prompted' Exhibit
Chicago Tribune, Jan 07, 2026Artist and educator Yoonshin Park, who earned an M.A. and an M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago, is featured for her upcoming exhibition “Prompt and Prompted” at the Hyde Park Art Center, which incorporates the work of 12 of her students and explores artist books as an expanded art form. Dance for Winter 2026: Our Top 10 Includes Joffrey, Red Clay and a Visit From Martha Graham
Chicago Tribune, Jan 07, 2026The Chicago Tribune named The Seldoms’ “Floe,” presented at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, among its top dance picks for winter 2026. Actor Awards, Formerly SAG Awards, Nominations: ‘One Battle After Another’ Leads Film Nods With 7 as ‘The Studio’ Tops TV With 5
The Hollywood Reporter, Jan 07, 2026Chase Infiniti '22 received a 2026 SAG (Actor Awards) nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for “One Battle After Another,” which also earned nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble. Tommy Egan's Final Chapter Unfolds in 'Power Book IV: Force'
Reel Chicago, Jan 04, 2026After three seasons filmed entirely in Chicago, "Power Book IV: Force" prepares to close out Tommy Egan’s story, played by Chicago native and Columbia School of Theatre and Dance alum Joseph Sikora '98.Critics Choice Awards 2026: ‘One Battle After Another’ Wins Best Film, ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Adolescence’ and ‘The Studio’ Dominate TV Prizes
Variety, Jan 04, 2026"One Battle After Another," starring Columbia College Chicago alum Chase Infiniti, was named Best Picture at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards, one of the film’s three top wins of the night. Coming Soon: New Club That Aims to Jazz Up Evanston
Evanston Round Table, Jan 09, 2026Kurt Schauer, a 1987 graduate of Columbia College Chicago’s School of Visual Arts, is opening a new jazz club, Local Note, in downtown Evanston. Disapperances
NewCity, Jan 06, 2026NewCityLit featured a video essay by Joseph Meno, a professor in the School of Communication and Culture. The work was inspired by ICE enforcements in Chicago.
- To Be Replaced