Film Festival Selects Animated Student Short for Screening

“Frankie”— a capstone project created by Columbia College Chicago students — will be screened as a Kids First! Film Festival-curated film.

Fashion Show Leverages Student Talent From Multiple Disciplines

Columbia students come together to produce and promote an end-of-year showcase of student fashion designs.

Columbia Professor Jackie Spinner Wins Prestigious Media Award

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

Columbia to Confer Honorary Degrees on Two Higher Education Trailblazers at its May 2024 Commencement

Higher education leaders Nivine Megahed, president of National Louis University, and Raymond E. Crossman, president of Adler University, will be honored at the college’s 2024 Commencement ceremonies

Meet the 2024 Manifest Student Team

Columbia College Chicago’s annual Manifest Arts Festival is a student-driven tradition that showcases the work of talented creatives across disciplines. Meet the team who is making Manifest into a reality.

The Columbia Community Gathers for Solar Eclipse

“The Columbia Chronicle” and the Science and Math Department collaborate to bring students, faculty, and staff together in Chicago’s Grant Park for the April 8 astronomical event.

NBCU Academy and 'The Columbia Chronicle' Host Panel Discussion About LatinX Voter Engagement

Telemundo Chicago’s Iris Berríos, NBC Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern, and Latino News Network’s Hugo Balta — who teaches at Columbia — join forces to talk elections and issues surrounding getting out the LatinX vote. 

'Columbia Chronicle' Wins 20 Awards at Illinois College Press Association Award Ceremony

"The Columbia Chronicle” team brings home 20 awards from the Illinois College Press Association, including first-place honors for general excellence, editorials, podcasts, and photojournalism.

Student-Run C3 Expo Welcomes Anime and Manga Fans to Columbia

Columbia students hosted a pop culture extravaganza that showcased student art, event-planning savvy, and love of cosplay.

Alum Brandon Faris '02 Part of Team Behind New Run-DMC Docu-Series

Professional pivot leads to career success for Columbia College Chicago alum, highlighting the creative versatility of our graduates.

Super Bowl Ads: What Matters and What Works

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

Student-Produced Musical Theatre Concert Set for Feb. 15-16

Columbia students are collaborating to present the inaugural Musical Theatre Dance Concert.

Alum-Made Documentary About Mushers and Their Sled Dogs Now Streaming on PBS, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV+

“Musher,” a film made by Columbia College Chicago alums, follows four women and their dogs as they prepare for an annual race in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

What to Watch and Where to Wander This Winter: Columbia Edition

Columbia College Chicago and its creative community of alums, faculty, and students offer plenty of opportunities to keep you entertained this holiday season and beyond.

Columbia Sound Professionals Along for the Ride at NASCAR's Chicago Pit Stop

Adjunct professor, students, and recent alums from Columbia College Chicago play important roles in bringing the sounds of NASCAR to local spectators and race-loving fans around the world.

Alum Jacob Mooney Lands Job at Pioneering Interactive Trading Card Company

Persistence pays off for Game Design Alum who now works at Wizards of the Coast.

Meet the Face of Columbia College Chicago's TikTok

Junior Alexia Tamayo finds joy highlighting the Columbia College Chicago community on TikTok and ZeeMee.

Brower Brothers Make the Leap With Semester in LA

Columbia College Chicago seniors, twins Wyatt and Wrett Brower’s leaps of faith have brought them across coasts and closer to their dream careers.

Pinball Wizard Jessica Durbala '21 Launches Her First Game

Columbia College Chicago Computer Animation alum plays pivotal role in developing new pinball game that uses animation, storytelling, and a creative design to engage players and collectors.

Columbia and DePaul Students Plan and Host Communications Career Conference

Two chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America come together to connect students with communications professionals.

New Faculty Member Brings Expertise in Virtual Production to Columbia

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

Advertising Innovator Brings His Passion for Branded Entertainment to Columbia

Assistant Professor Tom Eslinger pitches branded entertainment to Columbia students.

Cinema and Television Arts Students Forge Friendships While Creating Films

Georgia Lee, Liberty Thomas, and Marissa Traver set their sights on careers in film and television production and find friendships along the way.

Chicago Reporter Names Hugo Balta Executive Editor

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

Semester in LA Amplifies Opportunities for Audio Arts and Acoustics Student

Driven by a love of music and travel, Raina Villareal ventures to LA to meet sound professionals and explore sound engineering careers.

Columbia Students Named Finalists in NRF Foundation’s Student Challenge

Columbia students will earn scholarships and again head to New York City to meet with retail industry leaders and attend the NRF Foundation Honors event.

Anchor and Reporter Paige Barnes ’21 Found Stories Worth Telling at Columbia

Alum Paige Barnes ’21 recalls how her experiences at Columbia paved the way to her current roles as morning anchor and reporter at WSBT in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan

Make Columbia Part of Your Holiday Season: Watch Alum Movies and Shows 

Check out our list of 2022 Columbia-alum streaming projects

Columbia College Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology Join Forces to Offer Students Expanded Learning Opportunities

Beginning with the Spring 2023 term, Columbia Cinema and Television Arts and Interactive Arts and Media students can participate in a for-credit exchange program with Illinois Tech, giving them opportunities to complement their media and arts education with the academic strengths of neighboring Illinois Tech.

Communication & Media Studies Research Network Names Eric Freedman New Research Network Chair

In this new role, the dean of Columbia’s School of Media Arts will take on several responsibilities, including serving as editor of ‘The Journal of Communication and Media Studies.’

Newcity's Film 50 2022 Celebrates Members of Columbia's Community

Associate Provost and Associate Professor Susan Kerns as well as numerous alums and former students named on Newcity’s listing of Chicago’s top film professionals.

Columbia Presents Written Image Awards to Student and Alum Screenwriters

On Nov. 28, Columbia College Chicago hosted its annual event to honor Cinema and Television Arts students and alums.

Google Play Names Mental Health App Developed by Columbia Team 'Best App for Good'

Created by a team that includes Associate Professor Bill Guschwan and past and present Columbia students, the STIGMA app makes Google Play’s "Best of 2022" list.

Student Short Screened and Named Finalist at 2022 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival

Columbia College Chicago students Chengyu Lu and Yixi Luo (Micro) screen their film “Far Above the Starry Sky” at annual festival in Xiamen.

Adjunct Faculty Member Michael Freeman's Project Garners a GRAMMY Nomination

“Into the Little Blue House,” a GRAMMY-nominated children’s album, was produced by Michael Freeman, an adjunct faculty member in the Audio Arts and Acoustics department at Columbia College Chicago.

Animation Offers Unexpected Professional Opportunities for Assistant Professor John Losacco

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.

Alum Cara Lawson's Whirlwind Year Results in Film Screening at Tribeca Festival and Enormous Gratitude

Selected for Rising Voices — which promotes stories by BIPOC filmmakers — Alum Cara Lawson '14 seizes unique storytelling opportunity and sees the helpful side of the film industry.

Columbia Faculty and Students Participate in Moroccan Film Festival

CTVA Professor Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa was a judge at the International Film School Festival of Tétouan in Morocco, which featured films from Columbia students.

Professor, Alum, and Student Part of Award-Winning Integrated Marketing Campaign

Professor Laurence Minsky — along with alum Dmitry Sandel ’96 and student Madison Apton — helps team win gold at Marcom Awards, an international competition.

Columbia Film Student Lands Prestigious Internship

Ben Dawson, a junior at Columbia studying film and cinematography, is one of 12 students selected for the Television Academy Foundation Internship Program.

Cultivating Creativity at Columbia: A Student Finds His Place

Advertising major Christian Navas flexes his creativity in multiple mediums and finds like-minded creatives at Columbia College Chicago.

Ryan Seacrest Gives Shout Outs to Columbia Students

Columbia College Chicago Radio students meet media personality Ryan Seacrest at the Radio Hall of Fame 2022 Induction Ceremony and get a special shout out from the stage before introducing Ellen K for her induction.

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

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

Columbia Fashion Studies Students Compete in O’Hare Fashion Packed Challenge While CTVA Students Document the Action

Five Fashion Studies students are participating in the Fourth Annual O'Hare Fashion Packed Challenge, which has all been caught on camera by CTVA documentary students hired by the Chicago Department of Aviation.

Columbia Communication Students Have Surprise Meeting with Governor J.B. Pritzker

Students take the opportunity to tout Columbia’s impressive record of getting out the vote and enjoy a photo opp with the Governor.

National Transfer Student Week

In honor of National Transfer Student Week, we interviewed five Columbia students about their transfer experience.

A Sound Education

Audiologist-turned-educator/podcaster Steve Taddei ‘13 credits his experiences at Columbia for launching his career and his calling.

Film Project of Assistant Professor and Alum Selected for Chicago International Film Festival’s CIX: Lab

After receiving close advising and preparation from mentors throughout the coming year, the film will be unveiled at The Pitch at Industry Days at the 2023 Chicago International Film Festival.

Just Say 'Yes'

Alum Luke Miller ’05, director of photography for "Grace and Frankie," works his way through and up LA’s film and television industry.

Juggling Act

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

Audiobook Produced and Directed by Columbia Adjunct Faculty Member Wins Top Prize

'Winnie-the-Pooh' audiobook receives AudioFile Magazine’s Earphones Award.

Columbia Alums' Student Films Featured at Chicago Horror Film Festival

Get your Halloween season off to a spooky cinematic start and check out Columbia-made films on September 24 and 25.

Civic Media Students Win Top Honors in the 2022 AEJMC Student Magazine Contest

Columbia graduate students Francia Garcia Hernandez and Jordyn Harrison recognized for stories written in Professor Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin’s Solutions Journalism class.

Stunned or Just Really Happy? Alum Christian Sprenger '07 Wins Emmy, Other Columbia Alums Earn Nominations

Congratulations to alum Christian Sprenger ’07 for his second Emmy win and to all the Columbia alums nominated for Emmys this year.

A Game-Changer

Recent graduate James Jiang lands job in game industry after earning a degree in Computer Animation.

Melding Passions Leads to a Career in Music Journalism

Alum Kendall Polidori ’21 reflects on discovering her career while at Columbia.

Columbia Dean Examines Artificial Intelligence in New Book

‘Artificial Intelligence and Playable Media’ by Eric Freedman will be available on September 2.

Columbia College Chicago Faculty Member Interviewed for New Menendez Brothers Documentary

Associate Professor Sharon Ross discusses the convicted brothers’ TikTok defenders in Menendez Brothers: Misjudged?

Hollywood Reporter Lists Columbia Among Top U.S. Film Schools

Columbia College Chicago ranks #12 on the publication's annual list.

Columbia College Chicago Named to MovieMaker Magazine's List of the 40 Best Film Schools of 2022

The publication recognizes Columbia for its outstanding directing training, massive alumni base, and unique Semester in LA program.

Two Columbia Students Named Next Generation Scholarship Semifinalists by NRF Foundation

Columbia students once again earn top spots and compete for $10,000 and $25,000 scholarships.

A Columbia Student Film Makes the 2022 Yugo BAFTA Student Awards Shortlist

Columbia College Chicago student Tridev (Tejo)'s film was among the 82 projects shortlisted for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' 2022 Yugo Student Awards.

Columbia College Chicago Earns Spot on List of Top Graphic Design Schools in the Midwest

Animation Career Review ranked Columbia College Chicago #13 on their list of Top Graphic Design Schools in the Midwest.

International Student Seizes Opportunities After Emerging From COVID-19 Isolation

A native of Poland, Ksymena Pawlowicz leverages each and every opportunity at Columbia to realize her professional and personal ambitions.

‘Variety’ Names Columbia College Chicago Among Top 30 Film Schools in North America

In its annual list of premier film schools, Variety recognizes Columbia for its digital cinematography capabilities, internship programs, multidisciplinary Semester in LA program, and location in one of the country’s largest media markets.

Columbia College Chicago Earns Spot on List of Top Photography Schools in the U.S.

The Art Career Project ranked Columbia College Chicago #8 on their list of Best Photography Schools in the U.S..

Adjunct Faculty Member Cheryl Graeff Explores Friendship Breakups in Podcast

Inspired by the shame of friendship breakups, Cheryl Graeff, an adjunct faculty member in Cinema and Television Arts as well as Interactive Arts and Media at Columbia, attempts to normalize the conversation around these painful experiences.

Columbia College Chicago Joins the Unreal Academic Partner Program

Partner program creates new opportunities for IAM students, providing cutting-edge Unreal Engine resources, development tools, and an important bridge between Columbia and industry experts.

Columbia’s DocYourWorld Festival Hosts Events in April and May

DocYourWorld, an annual student-run documentary festival at Columbia College Chicago, covers nonfiction stories across different mediums. The theme for 2022 is “Overcoming Obstacles.”

Columbia Associate Professor Discusses Intimacy Coordination at Milwaukee Film Festival

Susan Kerns, an associate professor in Cinema and Television Arts, joins ARRAY Crew’s Meredith Shea in a discussion about Safe Sets on May 1.

Raising Hearing Awareness Among Future Sound Professionals

Although Benj Kanters will be retiring soon from his position as associate professor in Audio Arts and Acoustics, he will continue to teach his signature “Studies in Hearing” course at Columbia and dedicate his professional activities to hearing conservation.

CineYouth Festival Screenings and Events at Facets April 22 to 24

Part of the Chicago International Film Festival, CineYouth will feature work by Columbia College Chicago students and alums.

Spring Splash Celebrates Student Work and Expertise of Columbia Alums

Columbia College Chicago’s Spring Splash student showcase and panel discussions offered valuable experiences for students and provided an opportunity for alums to share industry insights.

Columbia’s Semester in LA Program Moves to 'I Love Lucy’s' Former Home

Semester in LA students now attend classes and meet industry experts at Sunset Las Palmas Studios in the heart of Hollywood.

Carlo Treviso BA ’05 Publishes Historical Thriller "Siciliana"

Inspired by a dramatic 13th century uprising, Treviso uses the craft of storytelling to transform perceptions of Sicily and Sicilian culture.

Associate Professor David Gerding on the Future of Technology

Our world is at civic and ideological crossroads. The students and leaders of the Interactive Arts and Media Department search for new ways forward that will benefit the next generations.

Spring Splash Highlights Student Screenwriters and Creators Connects Students with CTVA Alums

The Cinema and Television Arts Department, in collaboration with Alumni Relations, will host events—including virtual industry panels with CTVA alums—on April 8 and 9 to celebrate promising student screenplays, shorts, and series.

The Columbia Chronicle Wins Big at Illinois College Press Association Awards Ceremony

Congratulations to the Columbia Chronicle and its student staff for earning 29 awards, including first place in seven categories, at the Illinois College Press Association Awards ceremony.

Columbia Alum Finds Career Satisfaction as Chicago Mayor's Speechwriter

With 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

Hawkins, 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.

AAA Student Ella Pinceloup on Happy Surprises in Audio Arts

At Columbia, student finds like-minded women in audio and discovers new corners of the audio industry.

Columbia Alums Among NAACP Image Award Winners and Nominees

Columbia alums were honored for their work during the 53rd annual NAACP Image Awards.

Columbia Ranks Among Best Animation Schools in the Midwest, Illinois, and U.S.

The Animation Career Review's annual rankings of animation schools places Columbia No. 4 in Midwest.

CTVA Alumni to Have Film Shown at NYC Indie Theatre Film Festival

"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.

Audio Engineering Student Kimberly Liwanag on Living the Journey

Audio Engineering Student Kimberly Liwanag has built a sustainable support system within her Audio Design & Production program, one defined by individuals committed to supporting her evolution as an artist.

The Many Paths Forward with Audio Arts and Acoustics: Alum Jackie Loupakos ’19 on Life After Columbia

As 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.

Columbia’s Theatre Department, the MoCP, and WCRX Present #HereToo Podcast Season 3