Contact UsIf you need help concerning services and benefits not covered in our
Alumni Services page, please feel free to contact an alumni relations staff person. We’ll attempt to answer your inquiry as quickly as possible.
National Office – Chicago
Josh Culley-Foster graduated from Columbia in 2003 with a degree in Marketing Communications. After leaving the college, he became an account director with a local advertising agency. In October 2005, he returned as associate director of alumni relations in the Office of Institutional Advancement.
Now as national director, Josh is responsible for building a more robust alumni network with chapter organizations in major cities throughout the United States.
Josh is a proud Irish-American and has visited Ireland and the UK 20 times. While he’s generally regarded as a great guy, he’s consistently viewed as merely an “OK” dancer.
Josh Culley-Foster (B.A. '03)National Director of Alumni Relations
312-369-8611
jculleyfoster@colum.eduCAAN, chapter development, events, alumni scholarship
Cynthia
Vargas graduated from Columbia in 2001 with a B.A. In Fiction Writing. She has
worked in the non-profit sector for over six years coordinating events and
working with volunteers and boards. She returned to Columbia in March 2008 as
the Director of Alumni Programs and Chapter Development.
In her new role,
Cynthia is working with the alumni chapters in Chicago and its suburbs, New
York, and Washington DC along with working on Manifest and the Alumni Reunion
Weekend. Cynthia was born and raised in Chicago and is an avid White Sox
fan.
Cynthia Vargas (B.A. '01)
Assistant Director of Alumni Programs
312-369-8640
cvargas@colum.edu
CAAN, chapter development, events
Michelle Passarelli, Assistant Director of Alumni Operations graduated from Columbia in 1999 with a B.A. in Marketing Communications, Advertising & Copywriting.
Prior to joining Columbia, Michelle had
a successful marketing career in the San Francisco Bay Area as a
marketing director and advertising account executive, primarily in the
multifamily and commercial real estate industries. While residing in
the Bay Area, Michelle also spearheaded the San Francisco CAAN
(Columbia Alumni Association & Network) chapter.
As director of
alumni operations, Michelle works closely with academic departments
to assist in the cultivation and implementation of their alumni
initiatives, and is the faculty adviser for the Student Alumni Association (SAA).
Michelle also has a Boston Terrier named Veruca Salt (named for the band, not the girl).
Michelle Passarelli (B.A. '99)Assistant Director of Alumni Operations
312-369-6987
mpassarelli@colum.eduDepartment outreach, communications, and marketing
West Coast Office – Los Angeles
Sarah Schroeder is a 2000 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a B.A. in Film & Video. She was also one of the first graduates of the college’s acclaimed Semester in LA program at the CBS Studio Center. Upon completion of Semester in LA, Sarah was hired by one of the speakers, talent agent, Craig Wyckoff. After a one-year term in the agency world, she assisted Reuben Cannon in casting the feature film Deliver us from Eva. Once the production was underway, Sarah moved on to the position of assistant to J.B. Roberts, a talent manager at Thruline Entertainment.
Prior to attending Columbia College Chicago, Sarah was a student of English at the University of Arizona, and has published several articles.
She has been active in Columbia College’s West Coast Alumni Network since graduation and accepted her position as the West Coast Alumni Director in December 2002. In her current position, Sarah coordinates CAAN activities in the cities of Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, Las Vegas and Phoenix. This includes promoting alumni accomplishments, event planning, assisting in professional networking, and acting as a liaison between the west coast alumni and Columbia College Chicago.
Sarah Schroeder (B.A. '00)Director of Alumni Relations, West Coast
323-469-0443
sschroeder@colum.eduCAAN (West Coast), chapter development, events, Bob Enrietto Scholarship
Cupid Hayes is a professional actress and a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild, where she serves on six committees. She co-starred with Bruce Bruce and Reynaldo Rey in "The Sunday Morning Stripper" on Showtime; and was last seen on CSI:NY and Heroes.
While a student at DePaul University, she created the position of Overnight Coordinator for The Theatre School's admissions. Upon transferring to Columbia, this self-proclaimed "UK Ambassador of Chicago" volunteered for its Admissions department. Cupid is very happy to be working with Sarah Schroeder and her fellow Columbia College Chicago alums.
Cupid Hayes (B.A. '97)Alumni Relations Assistant, West Coast
323-469-0449
wcalumni@colum.eduEvent RSVP and general questions