School of Fashion

Chris Garcia Peak

Chris Garcia Peak holds an MFA in Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University and a BA in Theatre/Fashion Design from Texas Christian University. He has a diverse background in arts education and marketing, serving as Founder of Cock and Bull Arts, which produces theatre, podcasts, and the multidisciplinary arts festival Sessions. Previously, he was Executive Director for Theatre for Young Audience USA and Marketing & Development Director for The Illinois Shakespeare Festival/ISU School of Theatre and Dance. With over fifteen years of teaching experience at institutions like DePaul University, Columbia College, and Illinois State University, Chris is also a writer, director, and cat/dog whisperer.

Academic Advisor 312-369-7494  Email: cpeak@colum.edu

School of Theatre and Dance

Gabriel Oladipo

Gabriel Oladipo is an advisor for Musical Theater, Comedy, and Film and Television students. He received an MFA in Literary Arts from Brown University and a BA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Arizona and is the author of the chapbook   Emma (Ghost City Press). His interests include sports (basketball, football, soccer, tennis), anime, books, movies, art, and fashion, so if you’re into any of that (or anything else, always open to new things) please come talk to him. He's excited to help Columbia’s students unlock new levels in their art and lives.

Academic Advisor 312-369-7649 Email: goladipo@colum.edu

School of Business and Entrepreneurship

Jessica Horwitz

As the academic advisor for Business students, Jessica is continuously awed by the talent and commitment her students exhibit. She is passionate about helping her students reach their full potential while at Columbia. When not advising her students, Jessica likes to spend time reading, doing crossword puzzles, and trying new restaurants throughout the city. She is excited to welcome you to Columbia and looks forward to getting to know you.

Academic Advisor 312-369-7801 Email: jhorwitz@colum.edu

School of Communication and Culture

Brian Marth

As associate provost for academic services at Columbia College Chicago, Brian Marth is responsible for academic services in the areas of academic advising, tutoring and academic support, TriO support services, and student persistence initiatives. In this role, Marth oversees the College Advising Center, the Conaway Achievement Project, and the Learning Studio. He works closely with the Provost and academic leadership to ensure services are in place to support the academic success of students.

Marth brings over 20 years of administrative experience in higher education. Prior to his role as associate provost for academic services, Marth held advising and student support roles throughout Columbia since 2000 and has been a leader and advocate in improving academic services that allow students to navigate their path toward graduation.

Marth holds an MA in Student Development in Postsecondary Education from The University of Iowa and a BS in Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Academic Advisor: 312-369-7933  Email: bmarth@colum.edu

School of Communication and Culture

NaBeela Jackson

Tiara McGuire

NaBeela Washington holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor's in Visual Advertising from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her background spans journalism, poetry, and arts organizing, including founding Lucky Jefferson, an arts publisher reshaping modern-day literature. 

Previously, NaBeela’s writing has appeared in Eater, Chicago Reader, The TRiiBE, and other publications, showcasing her commitment to storytelling that explores possibility and change. In her free time, she searches for the best almond croissants (recommendations welcome!), explores with her corgi Benito, and writes across genres.

An advocate for the arts, she is eager to support emerging creatives through publishing and education.

Academic Advisor: 312-369-7503  Email: najackson@colum.edu

  
Tiara McGuire (she/her/неа) is an advisor for Creative Writing & Film and Television students. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry from Boston University as well a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing with a concentration in Creative Writing - Poetry from Emerson College. After working in out-of-school time youth development and education for K-12 students in both public school and public library settings, she is overjoyed to now be in the position to help young artists prosper in higher ed. As a first-generation college student and first-generation Macedonian American woman, she hopes to use her personal and professional experience as a catalyst to create connections with students at Columbia. Originally from Cleveland by way of Boston, you can find her spending her time in Chicago either writing, reading, watching horror movies, or spoiling her two cats. She looks forward to meeting you, hearing your story, and also probably showing you photos of those aforementioned cats.

Academic Advisor: 312-369-7283  Email: tmcguire@colum.edu

Jill Sultz

Jill works with Cinema and Television Arts students. She has taught in Cinema and Television for 15 years. She is a filmmaker and passionate cinephile. Jill’s other interests include military history, baking and fashion.

Assistant Director 312-369-7372  Email: jsultz@colum.edu

Kamillah Ong

Kamillah is one of the academic advisors for Animation students. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English from DePaul and a master’s degree in higher education from Loyola University, she’s spent years studying, working, dreaming and exploring in Chicago. She strongly believes college is a catalyst, an opportunity to challenge yourself to discover what you love and what you do well, and define how you will use your creativity to impact your community. Her favorite part of her job is helping students figure out how to do that and more.

Academic Advisor 312-369-3233  Email: kong@colum.edu

Lauren Targ

Lauren is a certified Life Coach and an interdisciplinary artist whose passion is nurturing students. Lauren understands what her students are going through as they build good lives in the arts.  She is the quintessential collaborator. She has worked in theatre and film as an actor, director, and writer, and has co-authored a book called The Ever Loving Essence of You. Stop in the College Advising Center to see her and share your vision of your future. You can work with her on making it a reality.

Assistant Director 312-369-8626  Email: ltarg@colum.edu

School of Audio and Music

Ritch Barnes

Ritch Barnes is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago in Film & Video. He has worked on several Hollywood features, he is a passionate poet, fiction writer and  Jazz enthusiast. Ritch enjoys meeting with students to share his knowledge and to hear their creative stories. According to Ritch, he lives in the best of both worlds because he can help young people find their dreams, while he pursues his own. Stop by the CAC and don’t hesitate to tell Ritch your story (or stories).

Academic Advisor 312-369-7932 Email: rbarnes@colum.edu

School of Design

Yasmin Reynoso

Nathalia Martinez-Bliss

Yasmin Reynoso (She/Her/Ella) is a Cinema and Television Arts advisor. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Roosevelt University, where she was able to get involved, voice her passion for student support services, and seize all opportunities for academic enrichment. She then received her M.Ed. in Urban Higher Education, with an emphasis in Leadership, Governance, Organization and Policy, from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Here, she worked to welcome new students in all areas of orientation, and she was continuously inspired by their stories. As a proud first-generation Mexican American college graduate, she is excited to be a part of the community and help empower students throughout their journey at Columbia and beyond. When not advising, Yasmin is an enthusiast for photography, reading, and listening to live music!

Academic Advisor 312-369-8353  Email: yreynoso@colum.edu

Nathalia Martinez-Bliss (she/her/ella) is an academic advisor for the graphic design and interior design architecture programs. Nathalia has a Master of Science in Educational Policy and School Counseling from the University of Rochester and a bachelor's degree in political science from St. John Fisher University. Originally from Western New York, Nathalia lived and worked in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before moving to Chicago. She is passionate about working with college students and takes a holistic approach to advising. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, biking, and trying out new recipes.

Academic Advisor: 312-369-7977  Email: nmartinezbliss@colum.edu

School of Visual Arts

Hannah Jensvold

Hannah Jensvold (she/her) advises students within the School of Visual Arts. She holds an M.S.Ed. in School Counseling from Fordham University, as well as a B.A. in Art History from the University of California, Berkeley. After working with students as a tutor and high school counselor, Hannah made the leap to higher education in 2022 and hasn't looked back yet! After growing up in Benicia, CA, Hannah has enjoyed living in many different parts of the US, including Berkeley; New York City; Portland, OR; Seattle; and (of course) Chicago. She loves getting to know students from all walks of life and helping them navigate the ups and downs of college. In her free time, you may find Hannah watching PBS News Hour, forest bathing in the Morton Arboretum, or doing yoga with her cats. She also enjoys reading, drawing, journaling, and antique shopping. 

Academic Advisor 312-369-8353 Email: hjensvold@colum.edu