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

PhotoInterim President Jerry Tarrer at Columbia College Chicago’s Student Center
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.

As a destination for innovators for nearly 135 years, Columbia provides a hands-on, practice-based creative education grounded in liberal arts, technology and business. New and returning studentswill study under the new academic structure, which now includes eight schools replacing the previous15 academic departments. The changes to the school’s academic structure mark a significant turning point in the college’s upcoming 135th-year anniversary.

Interim President and CFO Jerry Tarrerwill oversee a number ofnew priorities including reframing Columbia’s DEI initiatives in response to the college’s changing demographics as a newly designated Hispanic Serving Institution. Tarrer and Senior Vice President and Provost Marcella David appointed Dr. Rosita Sands as the Special Advisor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives. In this newly created leadership position, Dr. Sands willserve as a central support and convener of DEI initiatives across campus.

“Dr. Sands has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to creating a climate that is inclusive and equitable, as she tirelessly worked to elevate DEI concerns in research, community engagement, pedagogy, student support and student success, faculty and staff hiring, and all other aspects of her work at Columbia,” said Tarrer.

Starting this fall semester, Columbia is bringing some formerly separate departments under one roof – like theatre and dance – to take advantage of existing synergies, create more room for collaboration and enhance students’ cross-disciplinary skills. The college is making it easier for students to delve deeper into their chosen fields and explore other creative endeavors, all the while continuing to teach general education courses like English and math that will be foundational to student’s post-graduation success. 

Columbia College Chicago Academic Restructure and Interim Director Appointments 

  • School of Audio and Music: Associate Professor Ben Sutherland 
  • School of Business and Entrepreneurship: Associate Professor Gerardo Brindisi 
  • School of Communication, Culture and Society: Professor Ames Hawkins 
  • School of Design: Associate Professor Tom Dowd 
  • School of Fashion: Professor Colbey Reid 
  • School of Film and Television: Co-directors Associate Professor Eric Scholl and Professor Wenhwa Ts’ao 
  • School of Theatre and Dance: Professor Jimmy Noriega 
  • School of Visual Arts: Associate Professor Duncan MacKenzie 

Along with the new academic restructure, the college appointed Suzanne McBride and Steven Corey as Dean of Faculty Affairs and Dean of Academic Programming, respectively. Each will be appointed to the new decanal role for a two-year period, to cover the initial transition to the new school structure. They will be encouraged to teach one class during the academic year and will be supported in their scholarly and creative pursuits. McBride and Corey previously held dean positions as Dean of Graduate Studies (McBride) and Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Corey).  

“I call upon all of us to put the preparation of our students first and pull together to enhance our curriculum, our support services, and our community,” said Tarrer. 

“Together, we will make Columbia stronger and even more resilient as we approach 135 years of nurturing creative minds to build a brighter future.”   

Visit the president's page for more updates.

Recent News