#caannationalboard

Current Situation. #caannationalboard #columalum #columbiachi #boardmeetandgreet #howtheotherhalflives #nofilter #chicagoskyline #chicagosunset (at Balcony 400 E Randolph) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2pwJf6j8Sg/?igshid=1timpjvqx9xl6

Not the best edit, but you get the picture! #ShapeWhatsNext #columbiachi #columbiacollegechi #columalum #caannationalboard (at CCC Student Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2o3-OfnXVT/?igshid=a3uf59tui43o

Wednesday's ribbon cutting ceremony came to a close with some lively drumming and dancing compliments of our African Drum team. #ShapeWhatsNext #columbiachi #columbiacollegechi #columalum #caannationalboard (at CCC Student Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2o3sAVHkyD/?igshid=getrnzkd6779

One of the focused improvements made to the structure of the CAAN Board in 2018-2019 was adding a Student Representative to our membership. Jacob Schmidt was selected to take on this inaugural role, and he defined it with great diligence, wit, and grace. Student reps are only a one-year term, so we say goodbye to Jacob this weekend at the Board's Strategic Planning Meeting. Thank you, Jacob for your passion for Columbia College, and all you do, and continue to do for its students. Best wishes in your senior year and your future endeavors! #caannationalboard #studentrepresentative #columalum #columbiachi #latergram #muchlatergram (at CCC Student Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2o1EMOnZqQ/?igshid=f5f4cqofix5w

And speaking of writing instructors, it was a delight to bump into Randall Albers at the Columbia College Chicago Student Center Grand Opening Ceremony. Randall helmed the then-Fiction Writing Department, and along with Gary Johnson, was instrumental in getting my first fiction piece published, as well as giving me recommendations when I applied to graduate school. So thankful for the foundation that Columbia College Chicago gave me, and how that foundation has undergirded all of my work on and off the page. #columalum #caannationalboard #columbiachi #latergram #muchlatergram #writerlife #gratefulthankfulblessed (at CCC Student Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mQzLvnWvL/?igshid=e3d7eqme3sqh

It's hard to believe that just under a year ago the CAAN Board was getting a hard hat tour of the Columbia College Chicago Student Center construction, which at that time was nothing but concrete and scaffolding. Flash forward to September 17, 2019, and the Student Center has not only been built, but is now populated with the energy, creativity, and unique flavor that is Columbia College Chicago and its students. As I round out my final year on the CAAN Board, I am proud to have been a part of Columbia's progression these past 6 years, and excited for our students and alumni who will get to enjoy this new space, and reap the benefits of collaboration, interaction, and community that will allow them to #shapewhatsnext. #columalum #caannationalboard #columbiachi #columbiachistudentcenter #instacollage #latergram #muchlatergram https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mMjzxHOvJ/?igshid=slbcd99rg4zj

And so it ends... another fun and productive Strategic Planning Meeting comes to a close with a reception of drinks and desserts at the Shop Columbia store. Some of the student artists were in residence to talk about their work, and I bought a couple of pieces from an artist whose work inspired me. Looking forward to another year of serving, mentoring, and encouraging the @columbiachi alumni community. #anotheroneforthebooks #spm2018 #caannationalboard #columalum #columbiachi #allswellthatendswell (at ShopColumbia at Averill and Bernard Leviton Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnzkKt3hUTF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s6xp3ls3nnwz

I love this picture of Karen Cohen @cpp444 and the @columbiachi Development and Alumni Relations staff: Marcus, Shannon, Miriam, and Amanda--some of the hardest working, creative, and innovative folks I know! Thanks for all your service to all of us on the alumni board. #caannationalboard #columalum #columbiachi #latergram #muchlatergram #spm2018 #anotheroneforthebooks (at ShopColumbia at Averill and Bernard Leviton Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnzhTDdB6ZX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14s5fk6kpfk4