Between celebrating 135 years of creating, new leadership, and alumni making waves on the biggest stages, 2025 was an exciting year at Columbia College Chicago. These are the most read stories of the year ⤵️

Now on display in the windows of 618 S. Michigan: “Ancient to the Future: African Cloths and Textiles." Students in a Black Arts and Artistry class, taught by Associate Professor Robert Hanserd, curated the exhibit alongside fashion house Maison de Haj with assistance from the School of Fashion.

Thank you to all the alumni, friends, and partners who visited Columbia College Chicago in 2025. Meet some of the professionals who shared their talent, experience, and creativity on campus this year ➡️ https://bit.ly/4p5DgNz

Happy holidays and new year from Columbia College Chicago 🩵 ❄️ We wish you all a joyful, restful holiday season and a bright start to 2026.

Staff photographer and alum Julie Lucas ’96 took thousands of photos in 2025 and selected 25 of her favorites ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qlkRgR

A Columbia class set Angie Belloso on a path to a full-time role in L’Oréal’s 2026 Management Trainee program.

Each summer, Columbia students travel to Prague with associate professor of instruction Sandra Kumorowski. She was recently named one of “Vogue’s” leaders in their Czech edition for her work advancing arts marketing and creative industry education.

Alum Shiloh Tumo Washington ’22 hit a major career milestone this season, securing $275,000 in production resources for his feature film “A Terrible Sound” while also celebrating the festival screening of his short “Bailey’s Blues” at the annual Chicago International Film Festival.

That's a wrap on the Fall 2025 semester! Thank you to the entire Columbia College Chicago community for your hard work and passion that makes the college a great place to create.

WCRX, Columbia College Chicago’s student-run radio station, has launched its Holly Jolly fundraiser. A tradition dating more than 20 years, this annual fundraiser and broadcast supports the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 🎁 https://bit.ly/4rNGSqb

ICYMI: Columbia is proud to announce two new leaders on its Board of Trustees; Amy Dordek Dolinsky, Partner and Director of Business Development at Lucas James Talent Partners, and Michael Swanson, Senior Vice President, Production at NBCUniversal Media.

Columbia Interior Architecture student Eyerusalem Hagos received the 2025 NEWH Scholarship ✨ This competitive $10,000 award recognizes emerging talent in hospitality design.

What started as an idea in an Introduction to Management and Entrepreneurship class is now a student organization dedicated to supporting their peers. Created to Achieve Success, or CTAS, raises money and collects course materials to help fellow students.

Congratulations to alum EJ Hill '11 whose exhibition at "52 Walker" in New York was featured in "Artforum" as one of the "Best Shows of 2025." https://www.artforum.com/features/best-show-2025-ej-hill-helen-molesworth-1234738088/

Senior Kira Cooper was one of only 23 students from across the country to be accepted into the Gersh Externship, a selective 6-week program run by one of the world’s top entertainment and sports agencies.

"Columbia was foundational — truly central to everything I do today." MacArthur Fellowship recipient and Columbia alum Tonika Lewis Johnson '03 is an artist and activist whose work draws attention to segregation in Chicago. She returned to campus to discuss the award and her creative career so far.

Columbia College Chicago is wrapping up the Fall 2025 semester with a bang 💥 Catch final performances, artist talks, and more this December ➡️ https://bit.ly/41Ah3i5

Columbia wishes you a restful holiday break 🩵 While our community observes a wide range of traditions, we can all embrace the spirit of gratitude, connection, and care that accompanies this season.

📣 Columbia is the top ranked music school in the world 📣 "The Hollywood Reporter" lists Columbia as the best in the world in their 2025 rankings. They highlight the MFA in Music Composition for the Screen and its focus on different media and professional readiness. More ➡️ https://bit.ly/4ihS4qu

Columbia animation professor John Losacco won Best Animated Short Film in North America for “The Perfect Present.” 🎁 This holiday story took home first at the Kids International Film Festival. Learn more 🎄 https://bit.ly/44f1j52

Congratulations to Columbia senior and Student Government Association President Jenna Davis on her recognition as a part of the 51st annual Lincoln Academy Student Laureate program!

"Grease" is now showing at The Courtyard Theatre ⚡️ The iconic 1950s-era musical co-created by friend of the college Jim Jacobs HDR ’14 defined a generation with its rock-and-roll soundtrack and high school coming-of-age story. Get tickets 🎟️ https://bit.ly/48basNr

Congratulations to President Shantay N. Bolton on being named to the "Women We Admire" list of Top 25 Chief Business Officers of 2025! Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3XHEAuE

Columbia College Chicago School of Fashion student Shamya Banks is a finalist for the 2025 National Retail Federation Foundation’s Next Generation Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for students preparing for careers in retail and fashion.

Congratulations to alum Jake Wittich ’17 for being named the 2025 Chicago Journalist of the Year by the Chicago Journalists Association. Wittich is managing editor of “Windy City Times” ➡️ https://bit.ly/47Jf3Y0

Columbia alumni Alexander Knox ‘15 and Bryant Von Woodson II ‘18 are leading creative innovation at Coach, blending fashion, culture, and storytelling. https://www.colum.edu/news-and-events/announcements/2025/from-columbia-to-coach-alumni-leading-in-fashion-and-culture

Columbia theatre, dance, music, and audio students experienced an unforgettable afternoon of mentorship and musical theatre when Broadway performer and content creator JJ Niemann led a voice masterclass on campus. Learn more about the experience ➡️ https://bit.ly/49QFb4A

#ColumAlum and adjunct faculty member Eric Rutherford ’17 wants to give his students real-world context. For the gospel choir he leads, that means singing where gospel thrives. Learn more about their performance at the Union Tabernacle Baptist Church ⤵️

Congratulations to Columbia alum and two-time GRAMMY winner Jonathan McReynolds '11 for being nominated for another GRAMMY! McReynolds is nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song for "Still (Live)."

Today we honor those who have served and sacrificed in defense of our nation. To all who have served, and to those who continue to serve, we honor you, we thank you, and we stand with you.

Stay out of the cold by coming to campus this November. Join us for theatre, dance, arts, and more ⤵️

We 🩵 our Columbia College Chicago alums. Joseph Sikora '98, HDR '25, appeared on the Tamron Hall Show this week and discussed his inspiring speech to Columbia grads and the art of the pivot.

Columbia College Chicago alum Jess McDermott ’24 had a full circle moment recently when she returned to campus as a music industry professional promoting her client, the rising artist GUNNAR. The musician met with students for a Q&A masterclass thanks to McDermott.

Yesterday alum @aayisharubygold.bsky.social ’13 returned to NBC’s “Chicago P.D.” She sat down to reflect on the craft, courage, and connections that shape her work ➡️ https://bit.ly/4hC4ucH

Columbia College Chicago is #18 on The Wrap's recent ""Top 50 Film Schools of 2025" list! The list highlights the college's flexible curriculum and state-of-the-art facilities. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4oGfFmO

Thanks for joining us at Open House on Saturday! Couldn't make it here this weekend? Join us for our Virtual Open House on November 15 or take our new virtual tour. RSVP for Virtual Open House ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qxJwQl Take our virtual tour ➡️ https://bit.ly/3JBljro

Columbia College Chicago celebrated National and International Media Literacy Week last week with a series of global and campus-wide initiatives highlighting the importance of media literacy and responsible engagement with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

Happy Halloween, Columbia! 🎃 Halloween is the artist's holiday, and creatives from across the college celebrated as a part of the Arts in the Dark parade and afterparty. Read more about the participants and how they harness their Columbia creativity 🕸️ https://bit.ly/47MjIZ8

Next month the iconic musical "Grease" will show in Columbia's Getz Theatre. Students previewed the show with a tribute performance at the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to honor creator Jim Jacobs HDR ’14.

A new book by Columbia College Chicago Professor Carmelo Esterrich takes a deep dive into the influential, Spanish-language album “Re.”

Get your tickets now because you don't want to miss this year's School of Theatre and Dance season ⤵️

Broadway actor, Chicago native, and Arts Management #ColumAlum Aaron Nelson ’12 starred as Simba in "The Lion King" on Broadway. Now on the national tour, Nelson talks about his Columbia experience and the importance of falling in love with the process.

Columbia College Chicago Professor Stephen Asma reaches new audiences through his YouTube series “Professor Asma’s Guide to Unusual Knowledge,” extending classroom conversations to a wider audience. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qbV8bz

Congratulations to Columbia alum Precious Brady-Davis ’13 for being named OUT magazine’s 2025 OUT100 list! This list honors her as one of “the LGBTQ+ people making the world bolder and brighter in 2025.”

Explore the new exhibition “135 Years in Art and Objects.” In recognition of Columbia College Chicago’s 135th anniversary, students collaborated with the school’s archivists and the Hokin Gallery to tell Columbia’s story.

Columbia College Chicago faculty impact education down under 🦘 Associate professor of Interior Architecture Dave Broz presented at the researchED Education Summit in Brisbane, Australia.

Take a sneak peek at how some Columbia College Chicago students are preparing for his weekend's Arts in the Dark parade 👻 Be on the lookout for Columbia students at Saturday's parade!

We are proud to share that President Shantay N. Bolton has been selected for the Chicago Leadership Circle, a fellowship convened by Crain’s Chicago Business and the University of Chicago Graham School. The program brings together business, civic, and nonprofit leaders shaping Chicago’s future.

Columbia will be well represented at this year’s 61st Chicago International Film Festival. Catch new work from faculty member Missy Hernandez and alum Miguel Silveira ’05 as well as alum Shiloh Tumo Washington ’22.

Columbia alumni teach our students to create with purpose. Recently alumni from the School of Theatre and Dance shared their stories of resilience, artistry, and activism with the next generation of creative professionals.