Heidi Unkefer (BFA '13) won Columbia College Chicago's 2015 mural competition with her piece "Slime Mountain", which is now displayed on campus. Unkefer is a graphic designer for Last Week Tonight and a freelance illustrator living in Brooklyn. The document goes on to describe the vibrant community at Columbia College Chicago where students will work with faculty actively in their fields, create art with passionate peers, pursue their passions, get hands-on experience from day one, think critically, and help author culture.

1. #ColumbiaChi
ONTHE COVER
Slime Mountain
Heidi Unkefer (BFA ’13)
Alumna Heidi Unkefer won Columbia’s
2015 Wabash Arts Corridor Alumni
Mural Competition with Slime Mountain,
now displayed on the college’s South
Loop campus. Unkefer, a graduate of
the Illustration program, is a graphic
designer at Last Week Tonight with
John Oliver and works as a freelance
illustrator. She lives in Brooklyn.
Columbia College Chicago
600 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
312.369.7130

2. As part of our
vibrant community
atColumbiaCollege
Chicago, you will…
Work side-by-side with faculty members
who are active in their fields.
Create art with peers who truly love what
they do.
Pursue your passions and explore new ones.
Get hands-on with projects from day one.
Think critically about your craft.
Author the culture of your time.
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4. The rumble of the “L”
train and the cacophony
of MichiganAvenue.
That’s your background
music walking to and
from class onColumbia’s
beautiful urban campus
in the South Loop.
This city is ripe with inspiration and
opportunities for creative minds, and our
community is passionate and diverse.
Working closely with faculty members
and peers, you’ll learn that collaboration
and competition are key to your growth
as a student, artist and human. You’ll
make meaningful relationships that will
last a lifetime.
5

5. LaurenVogel (’16)
Theatre

7. 12
Our faculty members live what they teach.
Hone your reporting skills with Pulitzer Prize-
winning journalists. Take your art to the next
level with Guggenheim-winning fine artists.
Craft the next big Xbox game with critically
acclaimed game designers. Our teachers
are industry leaders, and they’re committed
to sharing with you their real-world expertise
and valuable connections.
You’ll learn by doing—
by getting hands-on
with projects from your
first day as a student.
You’ll create in state-of-the-art facilities,
including performing arts venues,
production centers, galleries and labs.
And with Chicago’s spread of world-class
institutions, don’t be surprised if your
professor schedules class at one of the
city’s museums or cultural hubs.

8. Onye Ozuzu
Internationally Renowned Dancer and Choreographer

10. Aidy Bryant (BA ’09) is a cast member on
Saturday Night Live.
Alexander Knox (BFA ’12) showed at
New York Fashion Week as a finalist on
Project Runway.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais (BA ’94) is
a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist.
Iliana Regan (BA ’05) was a James Beard
Award finalist for her work at Chicago’s
Michelin-starred Elizabeth Restaurant,
where she’s owner and head chef.
Lena Waithe (BA ’06) is a screenwriter,
producer and actor. She produced the film
Dear White People and has a recurring role
on Master of None.
We measure our
success as educators
by the outcomes and
achievements of our
students. And their
work speaks for itself.
You’ll graduate armed with the hard skills,
knowledge and resources to succeed.
With your network of peers, you’ll join the
ranks of alumni who live and thrive in 75
countries all over the globe.
Our alumni win Oscars, Emmys, Grammys,
Tonys and Guggenheims. They start their
own businesses and write their own
columns in major dailies. They perform
on television. They dance, exhibit, design,
produce, animate, compose, manage,
write and direct with the best.
AIDY BRYANTALEXANDER KNOX
ILIANA REGAN LENA WAITHE
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11. Anna Shapiro (BA ’90)
Tony Award-Winning Theatre Director

12. Picture yourself atColumbia.
Get excited to learn, create and
collaborate with our community.
We’re ready for you.
Photos: Jacob Boll (BA ’12), Camila Cediel (’16), Anthony Chiappetta (BA ’95),
Phil Dembinski (BFA ’08), Andrew Nelles (BA ’08) and Shane Welch (BFA ’10)