Engage Programming

    Engage Columbia is a series of in-person and digital programs, services, and offerings that occur in the Fall semester. These programs and tools are designed to connect and engage you as new and returning students to all Columbia has to offer. From student organizations, events, groups, peer-to-peer interaction, everything is in one place, at one time.

    Engage Programs

    Engage Columbia starts with your Orientation and then breaks down into several layers of engagement to help you connect to the College:

    • Engage Orientation program (to introduce new students and their families to Columbia College Chicago and its various resources)
    • Engage Columbia varied welcome programming (designed to help support your involvement and engagement outside the classroom. A broad variety of Engage Columbia programs will be hosted each week under specific categories that will help you explore and build your new community here at Columbia.)
    • Engage 101: Homeroom (for first-year students who would like to continue to connect and explore Columbia together on Fridays during the fall semester)
    • Engage 2.0 (A curated listing of events of interest to sophomore and transfer students ready to explore the College and career interests at a more in-depth level)

    One of the great perks about participating in Engage Columbia programming is that you can win grant dollars just by attending events! Simply RSVP, check-in and attend events in all the major categories: Community & Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion; Academic Resources; Health, Wellness, and Safety; Financial Literacy; and Career Planning. Use the Engage Portal app to check in at events, or for those without smartphones, sign-up sheets will be provided at the events when you arrive. Remember, you must attend one event in each of the 6 categories to qualify.

    Winners will be determined and announced at Columbia Weekend in October.

    Any students for whom Fall 2023 is their first term at Columbia can participate in the program.

    The grand prizes will be awarded to 12 eligible freshmen and sophomores:

    4 - $1,500 grants

    4 - $1,000 grants

    4 - $500 grants

    All programs are designed to connect you with other students, and inform you about the support, service, and engagement programs you deserve. All information can be found on the Engage app and at students.colum.edu.