About the Office

At Columbia College Chicago, the Office of the President leads with a vision rooted in creativity, civic engagement, and academic excellence. Under the leadership of President Shantay N. Bolton, the College remains deeply committed to its mission of providing a comprehensive education in the performing arts, media, business, and communications—grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation. With a focus on preparing students for emerging technologies and to author the culture of their times, Columbia thrives in active dialogue with the vibrant urban landscape of Chicago. Guided by a strategic plan centered on stabilizing enrollment, elevating the Columbia brand, strengthening philanthropy, and enhancing operational efficiency, the Office of the President works in partnership with the Board of Trustees and the campus community to ensure a dynamic and sustainable future for the institution.

Office of the President Staff

  • Dr. Adriel A. Hilton
    Vice President of Institutional Strategy and Chief of Staff
    ahilton@colum.edu

  • Charles Kimball
    Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives (and Acting Director of Board Relations)
    ckimball@colum.edu

  • Yvonne M. Sode
    Executive Assistant to the President
    ysode@colum.edu

President’s cabinet

Administrative Council

Gerardo “Jerry” Brindisi – Interim Director, School of Business and Entrepreneurship

Elizabeth Davis-Berg – Interim Co-Director, School of Design

Thomas Dowd – Interim Co-Director, School of Design

Ames Hawkins – Interim Director, School of Communication and Culture

Duncan MacKenzie – Interim Director, School of Visual Arts

Jimmy Noriega – Allen and Lynn Turner Director, School of Theatre and Dance

Colbey Reid – Director, School of Fashion

Eric Scholl – Interim Co-Director, School of Film and Television

Ben Sutherland – Director, School of Audio and Music

Wenhwa Ts’ao – Interim Co-Director, School of Film and Television

Nate Bakkum – Senior Associate Provost; Associate Professor of Music

Steven Corey – Dean of Academic Programming

Doug Eck – Dean of Students

Greg Foster-Rice – Associate Provost, Student Retention Initiatives; Associate Professor of Photography

Karla Rae Fuller – President, Faculty Senate

Adriel Hilton – Vice President of Institutional Strategy and Chief of Staff

Matt Jaehrling – Associate Vice President and Controller

Ann Kalayil – Associate Vice President of Facilities and Construction

Charles Kimball – Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives & Director of Board Relations

Kathie Koch – Associate Vice President and CIO

Emmanuel Lalande – Senior Vice President of Enrollment Strategy and Student Success

Lambrini Lukidis – Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications & External Relations

Dirk Matthews – Interim Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations

Suzanne McBride – Interim Senior Vice President and Provost

Patricia Olalde – Associate Vice President, Human Resources

Laurent Pernot – Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Civic Engagement

Jeanne Petrolle – Acting Dean of Faculty Affairs

Jeffrey Reuter – Associate Vice President for Budget, Planning and Analysis

Ron Sodini – Associate Vice President for Safety and Security

Jerry Tarrer – Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Adam Weiss – Interim Vice President of Legal Affairs & General Counsel

Sharon Wilson-Taylor – Vice President of Student Affairs