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Columbia welcomed its new students to the college on Friday, Sept. 4 at New Student Convocation and Connections, giving students the opportunity to connect with their peers, student organizations and faculty before the fall semester starts next week. 

Columbia President and CEO Shantay Bolton repeated a simple message in her address to hundreds of students gathered in the parking lot next to the Student Center: “Let them know.” 

The phrase was lifted from rapper T.I. ‘s single, “LET ‘EM KNOW,” and she had students repeat it in response to several questions, including “Are you ready to find your voice?” 

Last year, at her first Convocation, Bolton did another call and response, having students chant “Hell yeah,” saying she’d apologize to their parents later.

On Friday, Bolton told students to use their years at Columbia to find their community, voice and to learn from their mistakes. 

“Four years from today, I want us to look back on this moment and barely recognize the people to your left and right,” she said. “Not because they lost who they are, but because they discovered how much more that was inside of them. So go boldly, go fearlessly. Take some risks, make some mistakes. Fall down and get back up. Build something meaningful.”

Columbia alum Tamar “Tamarrow” Mitchell performed his winning Manifest 2026 song, “I Am Enough,” which first-year musical theatre major Jayla Miller watched as she reflected on Bolton’s speech. 

“There is a lot they expect from us here, so I just truly want to be the best I can be,” Miller said. 

Columbia reported an increase in incoming students for the fall semester, with a new class of about 1,100 new students compared to 632 first-time, first-year students last fall, the Chronicle previously reported.

First-year animation and computer graphics major Kalia Fason said she was excited as the momentum for the school year has built. Though she was feeling nervous at first, attending Convocation helped her feel more excited as she socialized.

“At first I was pretty nervous because I didn’t really know anyone here and it’s a new setting,” she said. “But I’m getting to know people now and I’m feeling more comfortable.”

The first-year and transfer students began the morning with Connections, where they met students and faculty from their major.

Keyera Strickland, a first-year interior architecture major, said she had a good time hanging out with her friends and getting to meet new people. 

“It’s a lot going on and it’s really bringing my spirit out,” she said. “You get to surround yourself with like-minded people, you get to know your campus, get to know your teachers and more about your major,” she said.

The Student Organization Expo on the fifth floor of the Student Center was lined with booths, letting new students explore passions they aren’t majoring in through the many clubs and organizations at the college. 

“I’m excited to join all the clubs and do things I didn’t really get to do in high school,” said Lily Perry, a first-year film and television major. 

For some incoming first-year students, like film and television major Chandler Williams, attending college in a new city and state has been a welcomed culture shock.

“I’m used to having to drive everywhere, and now here I can walk everywhere,” said Williams, who is from Greenbrier, Arkansas. “I was a little scared for the change, but I’m excited for what comes next and how my journey unfolds in Chicago.”

First-year music business student Hannah Jurkowski was eating her lunch provided by Frannie’s Cafe on the first floor of the Student Center. Jurkowski said that she chose Columbia because of the vibe from both the students and especially the staff.

“It just seemed like everyone was down to earth, especially the teachers, they were very knowledgeable about the profession,” Jurkowski said. Columbia seemed “like it wasn’t a school where you just go to learn stuff, you actually do it and get the opportunities and meet the people.”

Rachel Horton, senior director of Student Success, encouraged students to come to the newly-opened Center for Student Success, where they can meet with staff to talk about financial aid, see an academic advisor and get help on filling out their FAFSA application. The center is located on the first floor of 33 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. 

“My only ask of you is that you see us at least one time by October. Come see me before Halloween. That way we can check in, make sure you’re having a good semester, and get you set up for the spring,” Horton said. 

Faculty Senate President David Gerding, associate professor in the School of Design, also encouraged students to reach out for support.

“All these folks are working together to bring you the kind of education and learning experiences you deserve,” Gerding said. “So keep taking advantage of that. Keep asking for help. Whenever you’re in doubt here, connect with somebody.”

Danielle Lang, executive vice president of Student Government Association, reflected on the myriad of changes the college has faced in the last year, ensuring students that no matter what further changes occur, Columbia will continue to serve its students. 

“I think for the basis of all of us students, the year’s going to look pretty much the same at a glance. If there’s any moments where people are concerned for changes in who our directors of each school are, it’s not going to look any different for us,” said Lang, a junior musical theatre major. “We’re going to basically have the same Columbia experience, authentic, everything like that.”

Additional reporting by Guadalupe Loza-Sanchez, Venus Tapang, Ava Simone-Forster, Jenna Kottke, Angel Cal, Isaac Russo, Nico Waugh, Mia Smith, Serenity Burgos, Julia Martinez Arroyo, Camila Verzino, Samantha Mosquera and Aaron Guzman. 

Copy edited by Venus Tapang

Resumen en español

Columbia dio la bienvenida a sus nuevos estudiantes el viernes 4 de septiembre durante su evento de convocación y conexiones, donde tuvieron la oportunidad de conectar con sus compañeros, organizaciones estudiantiles y miembros del cuerpo docente de sus facultades antes de empezar el semestre de otoño. 

La universidad dijo que ha habido un aumento del número de nuevos estudiantes para el semestre de otoño, con una nueva clase entrante de aproximadamente 1.100 estudiantes, en comparación con los 632 estudiantes de primer año y de nuevo ingreso del otoño pasado, según informó el Chronicle anteriormente.  

Resumen por Guadalupe Loza-Sanchez