Moving on to a new life outside of academia after spending years studying, developing relationships, and making connections is often a daunting task. But at SPS, the community doesn’t disappear once students end their programs. Instead, students graduate into an expansive network of professionals who pride themselves on supporting each other year after year. The Office of Alumni Relations helps to keep this community strong, and works to guide current students through the process of graduating from SPS.
Last semester, the Office of Student Life and Office of Alumni Relations hosted over 200 SPS students who recently completed their coursework, faculty, recent alumni, and staff at the Italian Academy for the School’s second annual Countdown to Graduation. This event was a joyful occasion that officially welcomed students into the SPS alumni family and provided an exciting opportunity to network with accomplished alumni.
Zelon Crawford, senior associate dean of SPS Student Affairs, directed a charge of confidence at the soon-to-be SPS graduates: “You’ve grown not only as students but as leaders, innovators, and changemakers in your respective fields. As of today, you are no longer just students—you are alumni of SPS, joining a global network of accomplished professionals who are making an impact in every corner of the world.”
The event also featured informative booths from the Office of Student Life to help students learn about SPS Graduation and Commencement details and how to get their diplomas, while the Office of Alumni Relations offered information on how to tap into the vibrant alumni network, alumni resources, and much more. This was all aimed to ensure a smooth, celebratory transition into the next phase of their professional journey. Alumni resources and a new graduate checklist is available on this website.
Addressing those who had gathered for the celebration, Patty Tsai, director of Columbia SPS Alumni Relations said, “One of the greatest things about being part of the SPS family is that the support doesn’t end when you graduate. We are here for you as a resource for lifelong learning, professional development, and personal growth.”
Columbia SPS Graduation will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025 on the South Lawn of Morningside Campus. Students will gather for Columbia University’s commencement ceremony on May 21, 2025. Both SPS Graduation and Columbia commencement will be available to stream online.
Check out some photos from the event below:
Students try on caps and gowns in preparation for graduation.
Avni Guven (a candidate for an M.S. in Applied Analytics) checks his mortarboard.
SPS students and alumni gather around Roar-ee the Lion.
The Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of Student Life set up many information booths for students.
The celebration included a photo booth for the Class of 2025.
Students, staff, faculty, and alumni gather at the Italian Academy.
Over 200 people attended the 2nd annual Countdown to Graduation.
