News Feature

School of the Arts News

October 4, 2007

The School of the Arts’ biggest news this year came in June 2007 when President Bollinger named Carol Becker as the new dean of the School of the Arts. Becker was previously dean of faculty and senior vice president for academic affairs at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

“Carol brings not only a wealth of leadership experience but also an extraordinary dedication to fostering artistic creativity and to enhancing the role of the arts, and the artist, in society,” Bollinger said. “As a writer, a cultural critic, and an educator, she will help the arts excel at Columbia and in New York City.”

Before joining the School of the Art Institute as an assistant professor nearly three decades ago, Carol taught at the University of California, San Diego; San Diego State University; Northeastern Illinois University; and Ionian University in Corfu. She earned her B.A. from State University of New York at Buffalo and her Ph.D. in English and American literature from University of California, San Diego.

In a recent interview with Crain’s New York Business, Becker discussed her vision for the school, which includes more international students and faculty, and a curriculum that’s “more socially and globally engaged.” Another priority, she said, is increasing availability of student financial aid.

The school’s faculty and staff welcomed the new dean September 1.