The Office of Alumni Relations is dedicated to fostering a strong and vibrant network of graduates of Columbia Journalism School. We offer a range of benefits and services to our alumni, including networking events, career development resources, and opportunities for lifelong learning. Connect with us to stay engaged and tap into a supportive community of fellow graduates!
For more information, contact Kelley M. Spencer, Senior Director of Alumni Relations at [email protected].
International Alumni
If you are based outside the U.S. and want to connect with other international alumni, join this closed LinkedIn group for story leads and networking.
Educators
Switched to teaching after graduating from the J-School? Want to connect with other educators? Join this closed LinkedIn group.
Business Journalists
Are you a business reporter or editor who wants to connect with other J-School alumni who are passionate about business journalism? Join this closed LinkedIn business reporting mentoring group to share ideas and opportunities.
Broadcasters
Working in television, in front of the camera or behind the scenes? Connect with other CJS alumni in your field in this closed LinkedIn group.
Content Creators
Do you write technical articles or newsletters for banks? Do you work for a hospital chain and manage its website and social media? Want to connect with others working handling nonprofit digital presence? Join this closed LinkedIn group.
Authors
Want to meet other J-School alumni who write books? Join this closed LinkedIn group to share ideas and promote your works.
Journalism School alumni have access to an assortment of benefits and services including:
- Alumni Weekend
- Past winners of the Alumni Awards
- Ordering transcripts
- 12twenty, our password‐protected job listing database
- Book and computer discounts
- Library and database access
- Cultural discounts
- Lodging discounts
- Access to reception and meeting facilities
- Lifelong learning programs
See the full array of resources offered by the Columbia Alumni Association.
Stay Connected
Alumni Events
Journalism Now – The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI
The Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter Lecture With Nikole Hannah-Jones
No Country for Parents: Why Childcare Matters for Health
Alumni News
Jones brings experience across print, digital, film, television and audio to the classroom.
The 2025–2026 Reid Hall Faculty Visitors will conduct research at Parisian institutions and contribute to podcasts, videos, and programs at the Columbia Global Paris Center and Institute for Ideas and Imagination.
Award-winning journalists will mentor students, pursue reporting projects and bring decades of newsroom experience to Columbia.
Connect Globally with Your Alumni Network!
No matter where life takes you, your connection to our community doesn't have to end. Explore our growing network of alumni chapters around the world, offering opportunities for professional networking and social gatherings. Find your local alumni chapter representative and reconnect with fellow alumni who share your experiences and passions.
Lila LaHood '98 and Andy Reinhardt '88
Contact: [email protected]
Zubeida Jaffer '96
Contact: [email protected]
Rhonda Colvin '13
Contact: [email protected]
Andre-Pierre du Plessis '13
Contact: [email protected]
Suzanne Ybarra '17
Contact: [email protected]
Hannah Davies '24 and Hannah Moore '19
Contact: [email protected]
Kavita Chandran Budhraja '98
Contact: [email protected]
Andrea Galliano '25 and Silvia Gambardella '75
Contact: [email protected]
Can't find a chapter in your region? We're always expanding! If you're interested in establishing a new chapter and fostering a vibrant alumni community in your area, please reach out. We'd love to hear from you and support your efforts to bring our alumni together.
Columbia Journalism School Alumni Board
The Columbia Journalism School Alumni Board represents the diverse voices and perspectives of the J-School’s more than 16,000 alumni. Working closely with the Alumni Relations Office, board members serve as ambassadors, advocates and vital connectors, strengthening relationships across the alumni community and helping shape meaningful opportunities for alumni to engage with and support the Journalism School.
Meet the Board
CHAIR
Andrew Seaman '11, Editor at Large for Jobs and Career Development, LinkedIn
VICE CHAIR
Liz Borod Wright '00, Director of Communications, Richard Attias & Associates
MEMBERS
Lauren Betesh ’13, Video Producer, Columbia Journalism School
Heather Cabot ’93, Author, Speaker, and Psychiatric Social Worker, New York Presbyterian Hospital
Richard Chacón ’93, Director of News Standards and Practices, NBC News
Vladimir Duthiers ’11, Anchor and National Correspondent, CBS News
Sophie Guité de Seynes MA ’06, MPhil ’08, Ph.D.’11, Senior Portfolio Advisor, Citi
Zachary Jaworski ’26, duPont-Columbia Awards Fellow, Podcast & Documentary Producer, and Freelance Journalist, National Public Radio (NPR)
Darren McDermott ’92, Partner, Brunswick Group
Aziza Shuler ’26, Journalist, Documentary Filmmaker, and Weekend Anchor/Reporter, CBS News
Regional Representatives
ASIA
Kavita Chandran Budhraja ’98, Consultant and Journalism Trainer, Thomson Reuters Foundation (Singapore)
CALIFORNIA
Julie Huang ’96, Founder & Chief Storyteller, MadDash Media & Communications (Palo Alto)
Lila LaHood ’98, Executive Director and Publisher, San Francisco Public Press (The Bay Area)
Suzanne Ybarra ’17, Freelance Journalist (LA/SoCal)
Emerald Yeh '80, Media Professional and former News Anchor/Reporter, KRON-TV
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Rhonda Colvin ’13, Political Journalist and former Senior Political Correspondent to Congress, The Washington Post
Kathy Gest ’70, Public Affairs Strategist, Trainer, Editor, and Writer, Independent Consultant
Tesfaye Negussie ’08, Reporter/Producer, Race & Culture Vertical, ABC News
WASHINGTON STATE
Nicole Neroulias Gupte ’02, Executive Editor, Trailing-Spouse.com (Seattle)
WISCONSIN
Tamia Fowlkes '23, Investigative Reporter, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee)
UNITED KINGDOM
Mallika Kapur '98, India Director, Bloomberg New Economy and Host, Creator, and Producer, Next Edition with Mallika Kapur Podcast (London)
Past Chairs Counsel
Rex Smith ’80, Publisher, The Upstate American, and former Editor-in-Chief, The Albany Times Union