Commencement

You can find previous announcement emails you may have missed below.

• Dr. Sharon Wilson-Taylor's Email

  Graduates,

  We are proud that you have reached this milestone, and we wish you the best as you embark on your professional journey. 
  
  We are looking forward to seeing you at your Commencement ceremony in May at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells (formerly Congress Parkway). IMPORTANT: As of January 3, 2022, per the Auditorium Theatre’s COVID-19 protocol, everyone (guests, graduates, and other participants) will be required to show proof of vaccination. Negative test results will NOT be accepted for entry into the Theatre. If you intend to participate, please monitor your Columbia email or the All Things Commencement group in the Engage Portal. It will be important for you to stay informed about Commencement planning. Graduates, you may now order your cap and gown from Herff Jones.
  
  In-Person Commencement ceremonies at the Auditorium Theatre, May 14 and May 15, 2022, are scheduled as follows:

  Saturday, May 14	Sunday, May 15
  Ceremony 1 – 10 a.m. American Sign Language (U) English and Creative Writing (U/G) Humanities, History, and Social Sciences –  includes Cultural Studies (U) Dance – includes Creative Arts Therapies (U/G) Theatre (U/G) Fashion Studies (U)	Ceremony 3 – 10 a.m. Cinema and Television Arts (U/G)
  Ceremony 2 – 2 p.m.  Business and Entrepreneurship (U/G) Communication (U/G) Audio Arts and Acoustics (U) Photography (U/G)	Ceremony 4 – 2 p.m.  Art and Art History (U/G) Design (U) Music (U/G) Interactive Arts and Media –  includes Animation (U)

   

  U – Undergraduate
  G – Graduate 
   
  Spring Graduates

  • Prepare to Graduate
  • Apply for graduation in MyColumbia
  • Review your advising guide or uAchieve degree audit in MyColumbia
  • Conduct Exit Counseling with Columbia Central (required for students with loans)
  • Complete the Graduating Student Survey (Check your email for the survey from Institutional Effectiveness)
  • Order your cap and gown from Herff Jones

   

  • Prepare for Your Career

  With graduation approaching, get the support you need to start your career after Columbia. Work with the team at the Career Center to help enhance your résumé, cover letter, and portfolio in one-on-one appointments or at a workshop. Connect with professionals at industry-related events. Utilize Handshake to search for jobs, register for workshops/events, and request appointments with Career Center staff. Showcase your skills on Columbia’s free creative network, Portfolium. It’s your personal website that allows you to connect with peers and document your work and experience. For updates, event announcements, career advice, student highlights, and more, follow the Career Center on Instagram @columcareer. Use #columhired to share your successes!
   
  All Graduates

  • Participate in Manifest

  Showcasing your body of work for family and friends at Manifest will be a highlight of your academic career. Your department will connect with you on how to participate within your academic showcase. Also, be sure to check the manifest.colum.edu website and follow @cccmanifest on social media for the latest festival updates!
   

  • Participate in Your Ceremony

  We are planning an in-person ceremony at the Auditorium Theatre this year, as pandemic conditions permit. We must follow the required protocols set forth by the city of Chicago and the Auditorium Theatre. Currently, the Auditorium Theatre requires everyone to wear a mask and to provide proof of vaccination status. More information will be available soon, as these requirements may change by May. It is important that you continue to monitor your Columbia email, this website or the Engage Portal for the most current information about Commencement. You may contact commencement@colum.edu with questions or visit https://students.colum.edu/commencement/.
   

  • Plan to Stay Connected

  You’re almost a Colum alum! What’s next? There are tens of thousands of successful #ColumAlums waiting for you to join them. Here are some steps you can take today! 

  • Click here to update Alumni Relations on your current and post-graduation contact info
  • Check out our Events and Career Resources
  • Join/follow our social media accounts and find new ways to network
  • Use #ColumAlum after graduation for all of your social media posts
    • LinkedIn: Columbia College Chicago ALUMNI
    • Twitter: @ColumAlum
    • Instagram: @Columalum
    • Facebook: Columbia College Chicago Alumni Projects

   
  I look forward to seeing you at Manifest and Commencement!
  Sincerely,
  
  
  Dr. Sharon Wilson-Taylor

• Career Center Events

  Graduation will be here before you know it, and unless you’ve been waiting four years to fulfill your dream of crashing on a friend’s couch, you’ll need a job. Let the Career Center help you navigate your job search and connect with industry professionals before you part ways with Columbia.   We know adulting isn’t always fun and searching for a job can be overwhelming — but it’s much easier with the support of the Career Center staff. We have your back, and will work with you to make sure you are ready to ace the interview, wow employers with your resume, and stand out from the pool of candidates with your polished portfolio! To help you crush your last semester here, be sure to check out our Career Center events and workshops created with you in mind.   Here are the upcoming events for February, March, and April:   February     2/17 Ask Me Anything: Writing, Journalism, PR, Advertising and Social Media Internships 2/18 Career Fair Prep Session 2/18 Virtual Internship & Job Fair 2/18 How to Find an On-Campus Job 2/22 Portfolio Overview 2/23 Adobe Portfolio Workshop with Jim Babbage 2/23 Portfolio Series Part I: Getting Started 2/24 Portfolio Series Part II: Structure & Presentation 2/25 StudioNow at Agency123 Recruiter's Presentation 2/25 Portfolio Series Part III: Branding & Marketing March  3/2 Seeing Me in the Industry 3/3 How to Prepare for a Future Internship (for 1st & 2nd years) 3/4 Flipping the Script with Joey Soloway 3/17 Big Interview Table Event   April  4/7 Getting into Grad School 4/12 Hiring Simulation: Would you Hire Yourself? 4/21 CODE: Cultural Opportunities and Diversity Expo   For updates and to register for all Career Center events, visit Handshake or CampusGroups. Follow the Career Center on Instagram and Tiktok @ColumCareer.

• Alumni Relations Email

  Dear Graduating Seniors,

  Congratulations! You’re almost a Columbia Alum—and we’re thrilled to welcome you into this vibrant community.

  Here are some important items that will make your alumni experience even more rewarding and beneficial.

  • Alumni Network
    Update your contact info today to receive your invitation. Most of our events and benefits are exclusive to network members. Don’t stress – it’s FREE and easy to join!
  • Career Resources
    These don’t end when you cross that stage. Columbia supports our alumni throughout your professional life.
  • PeopleGrove/Mentoring – (Launching soon) Having a mentor as a young professional can be a vital part of your career advancement. Whether or not you had a mentor as a student, NOW is the time to connect with a mentor in your field! Then, when you’ve got a few years under your belt, you can mentor students and other alumni! We love a full circle.

  Stay Connected
  Did you know that there are TENS OF THOUSANDS of Columbia alumni on LinkedIn? If you need a contact, a connection, or just confirmation that you’ve got this, there is a Columbia alum on LinkedIn who is in the position to help. Join the Columbia College Chicago ALUMNI group, connect with us and your fellow alums!

  • Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

  • Celebrate your accomplishments!
    Post your news on Alumni Projects on FB and through Class Notes.

  You’re joining a community of alumni who succeed, make a difference, and give back! Check out How it Started, How it’s Going, Impact Stories, and the Innovator Challenge for inspiration!

  
  WELCOME COLUM ALUMS!

• April 12, 2022

  

  Grad Expo Update

  Attention All May Graduates!

  We will have graduation tickets available for pick-up at Grad Expo, April 13 & 14.

  A regular schedule for ticket distribution will start Monday, April 18. See schedule below:
  
  Commencement Ticket Distribution  

  Monday, April 18 – Thursday, May 5

  754 S. Wabash - Student Life – 3rd floor

   

  HOURS

  Monday – Wednesday 

  10 am – 4 pm

  Thursday

  12 pm – 6 pm

  
  After May 5, ticket distribution hours are subject to change. Please continue to monitor your email for ticket pick-up information during commencement week.
  
  Columbia is asking its 2022 graduates to participate in the Graduating Student Survey. As a new graduate, you have extremely valuable information about Columbia's performance as an educational institution. The survey from ieoffice@colum.edu asks about your college experience and post-graduation plans. We value your opinion and ask for your participation in this important study. Please check your Columbia student email for a link to participate in the survey.
  
  
  For all inquiries, email commencement@colum.edu and please visit us at https://students.colum.edu/commencement/

• April 8, 2022
  
• April 5, 2022

  

  Are you a strong public speaker? Do you have a unique message that will resonate with your fellow graduates? Then you would make a fantastic candidate to deliver the commencement speech for your ceremony. 
  
  The Commencement Student Speaker Competition is open to all undergraduate, MFA and Master’s Degree students graduating between December 2021 – August 2022. 
  
  To be eligible:
  You must be receiving a degree at the ceremony at which you wish to speak; and
  You must have earned at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in your Columbia coursework through the fall 2021 semester.
  
  The competition deadline is Sunday, April 17 @11:59 p.m. Apply today!
  For all inquiries, email commencement@colum.edu and please visit us at https://students.colum.edu/commencement/. 

• April 4, 2022

  

  Future Graduate,

  You are just weeks away from the finish line! Here are some important announcements and next steps:

  1. The Auditorium Theatre has changed its COVID-19 protocols. Negative tests are now being accepted. We still recommend downloading the Bindle App for easy access to the Auditorium Theatre, and you may still need to complete Roosevelt University’s guest survey before you arrive. Be prepared! These protocols were revised recently and could change again. We will continue to communicate future updates as they are announced.
  2. Order that Cap & Gown! The deadline to order is April 15. Due to potential shipping delays, we highly recommend you order your regalia, ASAP! 
  3. Be sure to attend the Spring 2022 Grad Expo on April 13^th & 14^th from 12pm – 3pm (both days) at the Student Center. You can double check your graduation audit, understand financial planning after graduation, get your portraits taken and more!
  4. Take the Graduate Student Survey. This is your chance to share your opinion and experience of Columbia. The survey will be sent from Institutional Effectiveness to your Columbia email on Wednesday, April 6.   

  For all inquiries, email commencement@colum.edu and please visit us at https://students.colum.edu/commencement/. We look forward to seeing you at Grad Expo in April!

• April 1, 2022

  

  Future Graduate,

  You are just weeks away from the finish line! Here are some important announcements and next steps:

  1. The Auditorium Theatre has changed its COVID-19 protocols. Negative tests are now being accepted. We still recommend downloading the Bindle App for easy access to the Auditorium Theatre, and you may still need to complete Roosevelt University’s guest survey before you arrive. Be prepared! These protocols were revised recently and could change again. We will continue to communicate future updates as they are announced.
  2. Order that Cap & Gown! The deadline to order is April 15. Due to potential shipping delays, we highly recommend you order your regalia, ASAP! 
  3. Be sure to attend the Spring 2022 Grad Expo on April 13^th & 14^th from 12pm – 3pm (both days) at the Student Center. You can double check your graduation audit, understand financial planning after graduation, get your portraits taken and more!
  4. Take the Graduate Student Survey. This is your chance to share your opinion and experience of Columbia. The survey will be sent from Institutional Effectiveness to your Columbia email on Wednesday, April 6.   

  For all inquiries, email commencement@colum.edu and please visit us at https://students.colum.edu/commencement/. We look forward to seeing you at Grad Expo in April!

• March 22, 2022

  

  Graduation is in 8 WEEKS, and you still haven’t ordered your robe? The deadline for robe ordering is Friday, April 15, so don’t wait! 
    
  Regalia ordered online will be shipped directly to you, so you can expect to receive your cap and gown in the mail. 
    
  Head over to Herff Jones and order your cap and gown TODAY. 
    
  For all commencement related questions, visit https://students.colum.edu/commencement/faqs