A year in review. See the top stories from our students, alumni and Columbia College Chicago community.

As we begin the 2024 spring semester, we reflect on the top stories of 2023 that brought cultural connection and excitement to Columbia College Chicago. We are proud of the tremendous work and commitment of our wonderful school community at Columbia. From creative partnerships to our students pursuing their passions in exciting industries, these are the top stories from this past year. 

Navigate through the months to read our top stories.

• January 2023

  Columbia Students Awarded Prestigious Fashion Scholarships 

  The Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) recently awarded scholarships to five Columbia College Chicago students, two of whom were named as Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholars. Each student will receive $7,500 and a stipend to travel to New York City in April. There, they will be recognized by the FSF for this impressive accomplishment and meet with industry leaders and influencers.   

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• February 2023

  New Welcome Center Opens at Columbia College Chicago 

  The new Welcome Center was unveiled in February 2023. The center provides a new, more functional home for the college’s undergraduate admissions team, and gives potential students a more comfortable and comprehensive introduction to what Columbia has to offer.   

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• March 2023

  SXSW: Columbia College Chicago Students Experience the Ultimate Field Trip 

  Columbia students attended SXSW for the field trip of a lifetime. More than 100 Columbia College Chicago students taking Business and Entrepreneurship classes attended South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, in spring 2023. 

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• April 2023

  Meet the Face of Columbia College Chicago’s TikTok 

  Junior Alexia Tamayo found joy in highlighting the Columbia College Chicago community on TikTok and ZeeMee. At Columbia, she continues to find ways to harness her creativity, share others’ stories, and prepare for a career her teenage self could have only dreamed about.  

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• May 2023

  Meet Team Manifest at Columbia 

  Manifest Arts Festival is Columbia’s annual campus tradition that celebrates creatives from across all disciplines during commencement weekend. Five students dedicated their time and creative energy to make Manifest 2023 an unforgettable experience across the entire campus. 

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• June 2023

  Columbia Sound Professionals Along for the Ride at NASCAR’S Chicago Pit Stop 

  The NASCAR Chicago Street Race rolled into town last summer and Columbia had a front-row seat to the action. Audio Arts and Acoustics students and alumni worked at the audio consulting firm Point Source to bring the sounds of NASCAR to local spectators and race-loving fans around the world.  

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• July 2023

  ‘The Columbia Chronicle’ Wins Grant to Investigate Mental Health Issues 

  The Solutions Journalism Network’s Student Media Challenge awarded The Columbia Chronicle, the official student-run news publication of Columbia College Chicago, a $10,000 grant to investigate student mental health issues through a solutions lens.  

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• August 2023

  Columbia Students Rise and Shine on ‘Good Morning America’

  Columbia students and staff gathered at Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”) and participated in the live broadcast of GMA’s Deals and Steals segment, which features Tory Johnson. “Good Morning America’s” invitation to Columbia, provided a chance for students and staff to show their school pride to a national audience. 

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• September 2023

  Wabash Arts Corridor Unveils Two New Murals Dedicated to Women’s Political Engagement 

  The Wabash Arts Corridor, in conjunction with the Chicago Womxn’s Suffrage Tribute Committee and Columbia College Chicago, announced the completion and dedication of Speak Up! by Dorian Sylvain. This work was part of a monumental new mural series in Chicago’s Loop celebrating the work of Illinois women activists to obtain the right to vote and recognizing the ongoing struggle for women’s equality. 

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• October 2023

  Accreditation for ASL Bachelor’s Renewed for Next 10 Years

  Columbia College Chicago announced that the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) granted the ASL-English Interpretation bachelor’s program with a 10-year accreditation extension in October 2023.

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• November 2023

  Student Works Takes Center Stage at Unleashed 2023 

  Unleashed 2023 took place at Columbia College Chicago on November 30, showcasing extraordinary student talent and raising more than $700,000 in scholarships. Departing from the traditional fundraiser format, the Student Center transformed into a multi-floor immersive arts showcase, exploring the theme of "Connecting" across various creative disciplines. 

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• December 2023

  Columbia and the Chicago Fashion Incubator Announce New Partnership 

  Columbia College Chicago announced the introduction to the Chicago Fashion Incubator (CFI) Series, an annual program featuring lectures and workshops with topics focusing on design, manufacturing and entrepreneurship for an audience of aspiring and established local designers as well as those who have an affinity for fashion. 

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Recent News

• Creativity Without Limits: Columbia Students Bring Imaginary World to Life With Virtual Production
• Columbia College Chicago Students Gear Up for TEDx Impulse and Impact Event on May 2
• Registration Now Open for the Scholarship-Eligible Summer Social Justice Institute
• Celebrating World Book Day with Caldecott Award Committee Member Katie Paciga
• Meet the 2024 Manifest Student Team