Form a Lifelong Connection to the Columbia University Alumni Community

Whether part-time or full-time, in person or online, all Columbia SPS graduates are part of an unparalleled alumni network that extends around the world. A quarter of SPS alumni live outside the U.S., making up a vibrant community of thought leaders and catalysts for change in the global public and private sectors. 

From the moment students graduate, they become members of the Columbia University alumni family, which includes more than 15,000 SPS graduates in nearly 100 countries. The Office of Alumni Relations at SPS helps forge lifelong connections within this community through events organized around the world, learning and networking opportunities, and career resources. The Office is always looking for new ways to strengthen the connection between alumni and the School, including the recently launched SPS Connect —an online platform that will actively facilitate professional networking opportunities and connect alumni with mentors and peers around the globe.

SPS graduates are also automatically included as members of the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA). In New York City and across more than 65 CAA Alumni Global Club locations worldwide, a network of more than 375,000 Columbia University alumni continue to connect and collaborate long after completing their academic journey at the University.

Alumni status enables access to Columbia’s vast international network, ongoing career support, lifelong learning opportunities and thought leadership, global events, shared interest groups, arts programming, and discounts on technology, travel, insurance, and other services. 

The Career and Networking Benefits of Being in the Columbia Alumni Community

The Office of Alumni Relations plays a pivotal role in fostering alumni engagement and supporting career progression among graduates. This office is dedicated to creating a vibrant community of alumni who remain connected to one another and the University long after they have completed their studies. 

To enhance alumni engagement, the team organizes a variety of events, from social gatherings to thought leadership and networking events, that allow alumni to connect on both personal and professional levels. These events are designed not only to celebrate the SPS community but also to encourage collaboration and the exchange of ideas among alumni from diverse fields. 

In an effort to engage the School’s extensive network, many alumni events are held in New York City as well as various other locations in the U.S., including California, Washington, D.C., and Miami, and  internationally, in China, India, South America, Southeast Asia, and other areas. The Office of Alumni Relations organizes a popular SPS Alumni Networking Reception series throughout the year, bringing together alumni and faculty from across all its programs. Following the 2024 SPS Graduation, this series included an event at Ascent Lounge in New York City, where more than 400 attendees celebrated the newest graduates and welcomed them to the alumni family.

Additionally, each December, the Office of Alumni Relations hosts an annual event called Countdown to Graduation. Winter graduates from all of the SPS master’s programs gather with faculty, staff, and alumni at Columbia’s Low Memorial Library to mark the conclusion of their academic journey, anticipate May commencement ceremonies, and start networking as official SPS alumni. 

Events like these help alumni stay connected and become even closer. “Some [former classmates] have become like family members,” said Unathi Mtya (’18SPS), a Technology Management alum and current group chief information and digital officer at African Bank. “I still go to them when I’m experiencing challenges in my career.”

Recognizing the importance of career development, the Office also promotes a range of resources tailored to support ongoing professional growth in partnership with the SPS Career Design Lab. Alumni have access to career services, including personalized coaching, résumé reviews, and workshops aimed at enhancing job search strategies and interview skills. 

In addition to these initiatives, the Office promotes opportunities for alumni to extend financial support to student financial aid, an ever-evolving curriculum, faculty development, and more. By encouraging alumni to contribute to the growth and development of their alma mater, the Office strengthens the bond between graduates and the University.

Claire Li (’15SPS, Actuarial Science) recently chose to endow a fellowship fund at the School in celebration of her tenth anniversary of graduating from the program. “This program really transitioned me from a student to a professional,” Claire noted. 

Learning and Growth Opportunities for Life

“We encourage our alumni to stay involved, for many reasons,” said Sonal Pande, associate dean of Alumni and Development. “It’s a wonderful way to connect to others in your industry and easily find others who share common interests and passions. Learning doesn’t stop when you graduate.”

Not only does graduating from Columbia University open doors to new career opportunities, but becoming a Columbia alum means that you will have access to Columbia’s vast academic and intellectual resources. For instance, being an alum provides you with lifelong access to Columbia Libraries and opportunities to experience arts in New York City through Columbia Alumni Association’s Art Access free program. 

“I’ve benefited tremendously from staying connected with this rich ecosystem where growth and transformation abound—whether it’s the Information & Knowledge Strategy [IKNS] program, the School of Professional Studies, or the entire alumni and thought leader network of Columbia University,” said IKNS alum and current IKNS instructor Chris Reitz.

“There is no better community than Columbia University,” said Donna McPhee, vice president of Columbia University Alumni Relations and president of Columbia Alumni Association. “You get to be a Columbia Lion for life.”