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Columbia College Chicago

@columbiachi.bsky.social

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Columbia College Chicago is a college for creatives located in the heart the city's Cultural Mile. We inspire and empower our community to Shape Whats Next.

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Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 4h

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.

Promotional image for The Chicago Leadership Circle featuring 2025-2026 Fellow Dr. Shantay N. Bolton, President and CEO, Columbia College Chicago. Includes the logos of Crain's Chicago Business and The University of Chicago Graham School on a backdrop of the Chicago skyline.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 1d

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 Alums and Faculty to Screen Films at Chicago International Film Festival

The festival will feature works by Shiloh Tumo Washington ’22 as well as assistant professor Missy Hernandez and Miguel Silveira ’05 who recently won Best Horror Screenplay at the Nashville Film Festi...

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 2d

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.

Creating With Purpose: Alumni Inspire the Next Generation of Theatre and Dance Students

Columbia’s theatre and dance alumni shared stories of resilience, artistry, and activism with the next generation of creative professionals.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 5d

Columbia College Chicago is a partner in the 2025–26 Chicago Architecture Biennial, the largest architecture and design exhibition in North America. Across multiple projects, Columbia students and faculty are responding to the Biennial’s theme “SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change.”

Students and Faculty Explore Radical Futures in the Chicago Architecture Biennial

Columbia students and faculty are showcasing bold, community-focused projects in the 2025–26 Chicago Architecture Biennial

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 6d

Columbia College Chicago alum Tonika Johnson ’03 was named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, a prestigious honor that recognizes creative individuals who demonstrate the ability to impact society in a significant way.
Johnson studied journalism and photojournalism.

Alum Tonika Johnson '03 Named MacArthur Fellow

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation recognizes the Englewood native and Columbia College Chicago graduate, who uses creativity as a catalyst for social change.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 8d

Make sure you have some trips to Columbia on your calendar this October.
See some of the exciting events on the agenda for this month ⤵️

October Events at Columbia College Chicago

A range of performances and experiences showcasing student and faculty artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 9d

Jas Dunigan, a Film and Television major at Columbia College Chicago, was one of only five students selected for the Television Academy Foundation’s Fall 2025 Internship Program.

https://bit.ly/4nXcrea

Student Selected for Prestigious Television Academy Foundation Internship

Jas Dunigan, a Film and Television major at Columbia College Chicago, was one of only five students selected for the Television Academy Foundation’s Fall 2025 Internship Program.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 12d

Kevin Christophersen, an associate professor from the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, took home the Silver Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago.
The PCC recognized his media relations consulting work with BevLedge.

Columbia Professor Wins Award for Media Relations Excellence

Kevin Christophersen, an associate professor at Columbia College Chicago, takes home the Silver Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 13d

Lucas Stall, a junior at Columbia College Chicago, took home the Heart Award at the Flint Youth Film Festival for a film about his struggles caring for his father with Alzheimer’s disease.

Columbia Student Wins Award at Flint Youth Film Festival

Lucas Stall, a junior at Columbia College Chicago, took home the Heart Award at the Flint Youth Film Festival for a film about his struggles caring for his father with Alzheimer’s disease.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 14d

Sunny Youm, an MFA student at Columbia College Chicago studying Music Composition for the Screen, won the New Talent Grand Prize at the 21st Jecheon International Music and Film Festival in South Korea.
Youm won for his score of the short film “The Game of Sisyphus.”

Student Scores Big With Grand Prize Win at International Music and Film Festival

The Jecheon International Music and Film Festival honored Sunny Youm, an MFA student studying Music Composition for the Screen at Columbia College Chicago, with the grand prize for new talent.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 15d

Columbia alum Chase Infiniti '22 plays Willa in the box office hit film "One Battle After Another."
She shares how Columbia put her on the path to early career success and offers advice for current Columbia students.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzu7l_vpYhs

An Interview with Chase Infiniti '22: Columbia College Chicago Alum

YouTube video by ColumbiaChi

www.youtube.com

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 16d

Columbia hosted a Black Theatre Day gathering focused on legacy, community, and future possibilities.
Learn how the experience served as a reminder of how theatre connects people across generations and across the globe ➡️ https://bit.ly/42SmtVU

A person presenting in front of an audience with a large screen displaying a group selfie behind them.

Five individuals are smiling and posing together onstage, each casually dressed.

A group of diverse theater workshop participants standing on stage, attentively listening to an individual in the foreground, who is wearing a black hat and a purple shirt, and seems to be leading the session.

A group of people standing on stage, watching a person in the center with a hat speaking, with an audience visible in the foreground.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 18d

Associate Professor Loren Wells, who teaches in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, has been named to "Variety's" list of Music Legal Elite. These are the attorneys behind the music industry’s biggest stars, deals, and court cases.

Columbia Professor Named to 'Variety's' List of Music Legal Elite

Loren Wells, associate professor in Columbia College Chicago’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship, gets the nod from “Variety” thanks in part to his law firm’s work on a groundbreaking copyright ...

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 19d

Columbia is excited to announce a partnership with St. Augustine all-male Catholic High School in New Orleans.
The partnership will provide up to ten full-tuition scholarships to graduating seniors between 2026 and 2030.

Columbia College Chicago Establishes a Scholarship with St. Augustine High School in New Orleans.

Columbia College Chicago announced a partnership with St. Augustine all-male Catholic High School in New Orleans.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 20d

Recent grads Hayden Myers ’25 and Brennan Rosser ’25 are headed to the 26th Annual Chicago Horror Film Festival with their BFA thesis short film “Stained.”
The film, which screens at the Logan Theatre in Chicago on Sept. 27, at 11:30 p.m., has been nominated for Best Student Film at the festival.

Columbia Grads Take Their Nominated Thesis Film to Chicago Horror Fest

The Columbia College Chicago student thesis film, which was nominated for Best Student Film, is set to screen on Sept. 27 at the Logan Theatre in Chicago.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 21d

“Goober Madness,” an animated short from Columbia College Chicago’s Advanced Production Studio, is earning international recognition with festival selections, nominations, and awards.

‘Goober Madness’ Short Film Earns Multiple Awards on the Festival Circuit

“Goober Madness,” an animated short from Columbia College Chicago’s Advanced Production Studio, is earning international recognition with festival selections, nominations, and awards.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 22d

Tonight freshman Keith "Kash" Smith competes in the finals of "America's Got Talent" with the Leo High School choir.
Congratulations and good luck from Keith's Business of Music class and the rest of the Columbia College Chicago community!

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 22d

This class is a Riot 🤘
Students at Columbia College Chicago learn the art of developing successful sponsorship partnerships by working with Riot Fest, one of Chicago’s major music festivals.

Columbia Students Learn Sponsorship Strategy at Riot Fest

Students at Columbia College Chicago learn the art of developing successful sponsorship partnerships by working with Riot Fest, one of Chicago’s major music festivals.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 23d

#ColumAlum Chase Infiniti '22 is making her big-screen debut this week in the much anticipated Paul Thomas Anderson film "One Battle After Another."
She told us how her time at Columbia prepared her for this big career moment ➡️ https://bit.ly/3VspzvR

A still from "One Battle After Another." Two people in a public restroom, with the central person looking at their reflection in the mirror. The setting includes white tiles with red accents.

A still from "One Battle After Another." A person in a white karate gi with a purple belt performing a punch in a dojo setting

A still from "One Battle After Another." A person looking over shoulder with a subtle expression, outdoor setting with trees in the background.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 26d

Columbia’s windows at 618 S. Michigan Avenue feature work from the World Fashion Festival that, celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and showcase global creativity.

Columbia College Chicago Showcases World Fashion Festival in September Window Display

Columbia’s Michigan Avenue windows feature the World Fashion Festival this month, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and showcasing global creativity.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 27d

Faculty member and illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara worked with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor on a new children’s book.
"Just Shine!: How To Be A Better You" encourages readers to discover their inner glow and recognize beauty in everyone.

Faculty Member Jacqueline Alcántara Partners with Justice Sonia Sotomayor on New Children’s Book

Faculty member and illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara partnered with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor on a new children’s book.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · 29d

Congratulations to all of this year's Emmy winners, including #ColumAlum John Zuiker '05!
Zuiker was the art director for "The Oscars," which won the Emmy for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special.

Person in a green tuxedo with a bow tie, smiling at the camera, at the Oscars event with statues and attendees in the background.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · Sep 15

Freshman Keith "Kash" Smith is a part of the Leo High School Choir that performs in the semifinals of "America's Got Talent" on Tuesday.
Learn more about his journey and how to vote for the choir ⤵️

Freshman Keith “Kash” Smith Balances Spotlight on ‘America’s Got Talent’ With Starting College

A fan favorite, Chicago’s Leo High School Choir and Columbia College Chicago's Keith “Kash” Smith advance to the semifinals of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” with their next live performance set for Se...

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · Sep 11

Senior Graphic Design student Angela Kalish turned a connection from the Adobe Creative Retreat into a high-profile commission, creating an illustration for Adobe’s back-to-school social media campaign.

Columbia Senior’s Illustration Featured in Adobe Social Media Campaign

Senior Graphic Design major Angela Kalish turned a connection from the Adobe Creative Retreat into a high-profile commission, creating an illustration for Adobe’s back-to-school social media campaign.

Columbia College Chicago @columbiachi.bsky.social · Sep 10

Associate Professor Elio Leturia was recognized for addressing the challenging issue of artificial intelligence through creative teaching.
He received the Innovations in Teaching Award from the Visual Communication Division of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Associate Professor Receives Teaching Award for AI-Innovative Project

Columbia College Chicago Associate Professor Elio Leturia was recognized for addressing the challenging issue of artificial intelligence through creative teaching.