Alum George Chen on Building a Life in Development
Apr 10, 2023How supporting the arts became a calling and a passion for one #Columalum.
Alum Stories
Alum Ashley Brown '10 on Live Events, Tour Managing, and Business Building
Mar 06, 2023How staying true to a love of events led to incredible success and her own production company.
Instructor and Alum Vanessa Wright '02 on Filmmaking, Marketing, and Success at Cannes
Feb 20, 2023How intention and community led to a life of advocacy and change-making.
Joseph Sikora: From Stage and Screen to Behind the Scenes
Nov 07, 2022Columbia alum Joseph Sikora ’98 on acting, performance reviews, and fostering safe spaces to create
Alumni Reach Historic Milestone
Oct 24, 2022A historic milestone was set by the alumni community.
Columbia Alum Finds Career Satisfaction as Chicago Mayor's Speechwriter
Mar 21, 2022With a degree from Columbia in public relations, Alyssa Cinatl enjoys her role writing behind the scenes for Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Toy Monique Hawkins MFA ’17 Shares Her Journey With CTVA Students
Mar 14, 2022Hawkins, Vice President of Development and Scripted Programming for BET Networks and BET Studios, recently visited campus to talk with students about her career in film and what she's been up to since her time at Columbia.
CTVA Alumni to Have Film Shown at NYC Indie Theatre Film Festival
Jan 24, 2022"One Woman Hamlet", co-directed by Cinema and Television Arts alums Kseni Avonavi, MFA ’19, and Ayesha Abouelazm MFA ’17, will be screened at the 2022 NYC Indie Theatre Film Festival, February 10-20, 2022.
The Many Paths Forward with Audio Arts and Acoustics: Alum Jackie Loupakos ’19 on Life After Columbia
Nov 15, 2021As her skills and experiences evolved while a student at Columbia, Loupakos became interested in working in sound for film. After taking Audio for Visual Media I with Michael Coyle, Loupakos knew that she wanted to explore sound design and recording.
William Meiners MFA '96 Publishes First Book, 'Though the Odds Be Great or Small'
Sep 27, 2021'Though the Odds Be Great or Small' is about Notre Dame's 1957 Comeback Season and the Year That Changed College Football.
Filmmaker Thavary Krouch, MFA ’13, Wants You to Know You are a Success
Sep 20, 2021After graduating in 2013, Krouch dove into the world of filmmaking. She now works as the Independent Film Coordinator for the City of Chicago, where she gets to pay forward the mentorship and support that she received early on in her career.
Taz Johnson ’19 on Audio Arts and Acoustics and Persevering through the Pandemic
Sep 03, 2021Johnson has been working successfully as a freelance audio engineer since 2015, taking many of the skills he learned at Columbia with him along the way.
Pax Helgesen ’15 on the Road to Creating Audio for Games
May 15, 2021Pax Helgesen ’15 has carved out a successful career in sound design. Now, he's here to pay it forward.
Filmmaker Kseni Avonavi, MFA ’19, on the Path of Persistence
Mar 18, 2021Obstacles aplenty lay before filmmaker Kseni Avonavi on the path to her dreams. This is her story of resilience, persistence, and success.
Christopher Rohrbeck ’19 Uses Science to Inform His Films
Mar 05, 2021Rohrbeck was able to tie his Biology minor to his Cinema and Television Arts major while at Columbia.
Teena Sloane-Hendricks ’20 Continues Legacy at Columbia With Her Children
Feb 08, 2021The first time Teena was on campus, in 1984, she knew that she would return – and encourage her future children to do so too.
Jessica Borowski ’10 on Persevering for the Dream in Acoustics
Jan 25, 2021Audio Arts and Acoustics Alum Jessica Borowski had to fight for what she wanted. Here's how she landed her dream job in a competitive field.
Tomas Videla, MFA ’19, on Building a Life from His Love of Music
Jan 03, 2021For Tomas Videla, music was always a part of his life, but he never imagined that he’d be scoring the soundtrack for the upcoming HBO documentary about Tiger Woods.
Alum Emma Young ’20 on the World of Pop Performance
Dec 02, 2020Artist Emma Young discusses music, songwriting, and the community that has supported her growth.
Ryan Trembath ’07 Writes First Book About Signature Shoes
Nov 16, 2020When the COVID-19 pandemic caused Illinoisans to quarantine, Ryan Trembath ’07 used the opportunity to follow a lifelong dream – to write a book.
Oula Yassine '20 and the Advent of the Culture Collection
Nov 06, 2020Fashion alum Oula Yassine discusses how her time at Columbia helped her develop her unique style and advance her career.
Luther Hughes BA ’16 Has Been Awarded Numerous Prizes in 2020
Oct 16, 2020Hughes has recently been awarded the 2020 Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship and the 2020 92Y Discovery Poetry Prize
Sahar Mustafah MFA Fiction ’13 Publishes New Novel, The Beauty of Your Face
May 26, 2020The Beauty of Your Face has been named a Most Anticipated Book of 2020 by Marie Claire, Bustle, Real Simple, and Literary Hub.
Nick Olson BA ’14 Publishes first Novel, Here’s Waldo
May 08, 2020Atmosphere Press will publish the novel within the next year
Alumna Sets Up Columbia Scholarship in Honor of Parents
Apr 10, 2020Columbia College Chicago alum sets up scholarship for Marketing students in honor of her parents
MFA Creative Writing/Fiction Alumnus Solome Skaff ‘04 Publishes Book, LifeCare
Jan 29, 2020Solome Skaff MFA '04 wrote LifeCare, a personal guide that helps people process through the difficulties of life.
Shining a Light on Broadway
Nov 15, 2019Theatre Design Associate Professor Heather Gilbert discusses her award-winning work in the Broadway play The Sound Inside.
Congratulations to All of Our Graduates
May 13, 2019Columbia College Chicago celebrated the class of 2019 at this year's Commencement ceremonies.
2018 Year in Review: Shape What’s Next
May 13, 2019A look back at some the past year’s highlights and accomplishments by Columbia College Chicago’s creative and scholarly community.
The Next Generation of Philanthropy
Jan 29, 2019With the new Tonika Johnson Scholarship for Photography, Tonika Johnson ’03 gives back to Columbia with purpose. Congratulations to first year student Nyia Sissac, the inaugural winner of the scholarship.
Red Clay Dance Collaborates Across Continents
Nov 06, 2018Led by alum Vershawn Sanders-Ward ’02, the TransAtlantic Project brings Chicago’s Red Clay Dance and Uganda’s Keiga Dance Company together at the Dance Center Nov. 8-10.
Columbia College Chicago "In the News" 2018
Oct 30, 2018Columbia’s students, alumni, and faculty filled the headlines over the last academic year with top rankings, historic achievements, and continued engagement with art and activism.
Highlights from Theatre Reunion Weekend
Oct 23, 2018Columbia welcomes alumni and supporters for a reunion celebration at the newly renovated Getz Theater Center. Mayor Rahm Emanuel proclaims October 19, 2018, as Columbia College Chicago Theatre in Chicago.
A Space for Storytelling
Oct 16, 2018Sez Me: The Columbia Story Hour (and a Half) brings a Chicago sensibility to the new live storytelling series on campus.
Graphic Novel Captures a World on the Brink
Sep 18, 2018Illustration alum Nick Drnaso’s "Sabrina" is the first-ever graphic novel to be longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
Animating Empathy Through Tiny Details
Sep 11, 2018Interactive Arts and Media Associate Professor K-J Mathieson discusses her award-winning animated short film “Corky.”
FSSI Event Continues to Raise Funds
May 01, 2018The Faculty and Staff Scholarship Initiative event exceeded expectations and continues to raise funds for students in need.
2017 Year in Review
Apr 25, 2018A look back at the achievements, highlights, and innovations of faculty, students, and alumni of Columbia College Chicago in the past year.
How Would You Define Chicago Hip-Hop?
Apr 03, 2018With the launch of Columbia’s Hip-Hop Studies minor, members of Columbia and the Hip-Hop community share their perspectives on what makes Chicago Hip-Hop unique.
Challenge Accepted: Columbia Alum and Trustee Raises the Bar
Feb 20, 2018Jeremy Efroymson MFA ’98, Vice President of the Efroymson Family Fund, discusses how a $1 million challenge grant will bolster support for the creative work and success of Columbia students.
A Wealth of Talent: Faculty and Staff Fundraise for Students
Feb 20, 2018The Faculty and Staff Scholarship Initiative (FSSI) group volunteers their time and talents to support the next generation of creative professionals.
A Dancer and Her Tools: Onye Ozuzu’s “Project Tool”
Feb 06, 2018Onye Ozuzu performs at the Chicago Cultural Center with award-winning work and a plan for survival.
Focusing in on a Movement
Jan 23, 2018Photographer for the Hillary Clinton campaign, and most recently the Women’s March in Chicago, Sarah Matheson ’16 is always ready with her camera.
Columbia's First #GivingTuesday
Nov 27, 2017#GivingTuesday highlights the support of Columbia’s community and the direct impact generosity has on Columbia students.
Here's the Score: Showcasing Alumni Compositions
Nov 14, 2017Hot off the heels of being named a top music program in the country for the second year in a row, a Masters in Music Composition for the Screen alumni showcase reveals the collaboration process between composers and filmmakers.
Development and Alumni Relations: Columbia's Frontline
Nov 14, 2017Meet Columbia’s new fundraising team, whose diverse professional backgrounds bring new energy and vision to build a culture of engagement and giving.
90s Pilsen Through Akito Tsuda's Lens
Oct 17, 2017After more than two decades, the Pilsen community welcomes back Photography alum Akito Tsuda ’93 to celebrate his book and exhibition, "Pilsen Days."
Celebrating the Dammeyer Fellowship
May 09, 2017Ervin Johnson’s Dammeyer Fellowship culminated in a weekend-long exhibition at Ravenswood’s Gallery 19.
In Good Company
Apr 25, 2017Years of collaborative relationships converge in Photography faculty member Cecil McDonald Jr.’s debut monograph.
Meet Columbia's New VP of Development and Alumni Relations
Mar 28, 2017Shawn Wax, Columbia's new VP of Development and Alumni Relations, discusses what he's most looking forward to at the college and why he admires Chicagoans.
Just Bead It
Feb 28, 2017Stephan Wanger ’94 recycles thousands of Mardi Gras beads into gigantic, detailed mosaics—and teaches others to do the same through his nonprofit, Bead Town.
A Seat at the Table
Feb 28, 2017Recent alumni return to Columbia to discuss their post-graduation journeys as successful Black professionals.
Chicago Point Zero
Feb 28, 2017The intersection of feminism and social practice is at the center of Columbia’s upcoming exhibition.
Stepping Inside Chicago Video Game History
Oct 04, 2016A part of Chicago’s video game history since the 90s, Josh Tsui ’91 wants to preserve that history in "Insert Coin: Inside Midway’s 90s Revolution."
Art Beyond the Walls
Sep 20, 2016Alum Ervin Alex Johnson ’12 amplifies the intersection between social media, activism and art in his #InHonor exhibition.
Filmed On Location
Sep 06, 2016Chicago shapes the career of Hollywood producer and alum Bob Teitel ’90.
Lighting Up the Steppenwolf Stage
May 10, 2016Columbia College Chicago alumna Caroline Neff joins the Steppenwolf Theatre acting ensemble.
Diane Dammeyer's Generous Pledge Funds Photography Fellowship Focused on Social Issues
May 10, 2016Fellowship creates new partnership between Columbia College Chicago and Heartland Alliance.
DEMO Magazine Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Dec 15, 2015Magazine commemorates 10 years of highlighting alumni accomplishments with special A-to-Z issue
Alumni Aiming High
Dec 08, 2015President Kim joins more than 60 alums for a New York City Alumni Reception at CNN to help foster stronger connections between alumni and campus community.
Alumni Gamers Level Up
Dec 08, 2015Four Columbia alumni thrive in the booming game design industry.
CA+S Welcomes Selma Producer Paul Garnes
Nov 24, 2015Cinema Art + Science welcomes Selma Executive Producer Paul Garnes to connect with students at the 2015 Written Image Award Ceremony.
Reading on the Rails
Nov 24, 2015Creative Writing alumna Danielle Wilcox partners with Chicago Transit Authority to bring art publication to Red Line riders.
What Might a Columbia Education Mean?
Nov 10, 2015The College Assembly and the Universal Learning Outcomes Committee invite all to discuss recommendations for college-wide learning outcomes.
ShopColumbia Hosts Holiday Market Preview
Nov 03, 2015ShopColumbia gives shoppers a head start with a Nov. 23 preview of the 7th Annual Holiday Market, featuring merchandise created by alumni and students.
Board of Trustees Welcomes Four New Members
Nov 03, 2015New Trustee class includes two alumni.
Inaugural “Columbia Weekend” Attracts Enthusiastic Crowd
Oct 27, 2015Wabash Arts Corridor Crawl, Parent and Family Weekend, Alumni Day and the Halloween Gathering, come together for a weekend to celebrate arts, culture, and the Columbia College Chicago community.
Two Columbia Artists Take Home 3Arts Awards
Oct 27, 2015Associate Professor Fo Wilson and alumnus Frank Waln each receive unrestricted $25,000 arts award.
DEPS Introduces Summer Alumni Residency Program
Jul 01, 2015The Department of Exhibition and Performance Spaces introduces first ever Summer Alumni Residency Program
Columbia College Chicago Presents 19th Annual Story Week Festival of Writers
Feb 23, 2015Featured guests include Edwidge Danticat, Marlon James, Chris Abani, Mitchell S. Jackson, T. Geronimo Johnson, Audrey Niffenegger, Bernice L. McFadden, playwrights Regina Taylor and Kia Corthron, and more
In Celebration of Sheldon Patinkin
Jan 26, 2015Columbia College Chicago, Steppenwolf Theatre and Second City host "A Celebration of the Life of Sheldon Patinkin"
History of Corrido Music Reconnects Professor, Alumna
May 12, 2014The occasional distant saxophone riff and scuffles from the above floor are all that sneak through the brief quiet of a classroom in the music building.
Senior Frank Waln Empowers Others through Activism, Music
May 01, 2014Audio Arts & Acoustics senior Frank Waln vowed to himself the day he left his home on a South Dakota reservation—where he is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and identifies as Sicangu Lakota—that he would return one day to help those in his community reach their creative success.
Tyler Bradley MAM ‘18 Takes Her Dreams to Infinity and Beyond
May 22, 2023Since completing Columbia's Arts Management (MAM) program, Bradley has continued to grow her business, found success in various roles at Disney, and now has advice for students with the same determination.
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