Anna Ogier-Bloomer
Associate Dean of Career Development and Industry Relations
aogierbloomer@colum.edu
Anna Ogier-Bloomer joined ÒùÆÞÉç in October 2023 after nearly 20 years in arts career services. She has managed and supported career centers at premier art, design, and media colleges in New York City and Los Angeles including Otis College of Art and Design, School of Visual Arts, and Parsons School of Design, in addition to experience in alumni relations, advancement, and curricular planning at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She loves helping creatives find their path and excel in their professional lives, and thrives on working with students and emerging professionals. Her personal research focuses on how creatives can craft a vision and plan for success that is individual, personal, and meaningful, and she lectures and leads workshops on these topics regularly.
Anna completed her Master of Fine Arts in Photography and Related Media at Parsons School of Design, a Master of Professional Studies in Digital Photography at the School of Visual Arts, and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Arts at SMFA at Tufts University. She has been teaching college students for nearly as many years, including graduate and undergraduate studio courses and professional practice courses, at the City University of New York, School of Visual Arts, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
She lived in New York City for 15 years before relocating to Chicago. Anna is a practicing artist and has exhibited her work extensively. When she's not talking career services or making photos, she is hanging with her family and exploring Chicago.
Laura Daniels
Director, Career Development & Experiential Learning
ldaniels@colum.edu
In her current role, Laura supervises the Career Advising team, manages the college’s academic internship program, and oversees career education development. She also oversees the distribution of the internship scholarship awards, workshops and class presentations and resource development. She collaborates with departments to integrate career education into the curriculum and tracks internship outcomes. Laura enjoys helping all areas of the college to support students as they prepare for a career after college.
Previously, she was the External Relations Coordinator for the Interactive Arts and Media Department, where she increased industry relations and student participation in conferences such as the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco and SXSW in Austin. Prior to coming to Columbia, Laura held a variety of positions in the television industry, including working for NBC Universal as an NBC Page, for A&E in development, and on production for My Strange Addiction.
Laura attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Advising focus: all majors
James Miller
Director, Industry Relations & Communication
jmiller@colum.edu
James Miller joined ÒùÆÞÉç in November 2025 as Director of Industry Relations and Communications. His career spans hospitality, design, technology, sales, non-profit leadership, and higher education. At Columbia, James leads employer relations and industry engagement efforts, connecting students and alumni with the creative industries and the people shaping them.
James approaches career development with a strong commitment to network building and a healthy skepticism of one-size-fits-all models. James is drawn to the dynamics of multigenerational workforces and the challenges emerging creatives face. He focuses his work on dismantling fear of failure while empowering students to build solid networks that help them thrive in a changing world.
James is a practicing artist, with a focus on printing and digital woodworking. You will often see him riding up to Columbia on his bicycle, which he loves. James and his family are passionate about music, outdoor activities, fishing, attending festivals, and traveling. He would like you to know that he has a turntable in his office and welcomes you to browse his record collection.
Katie Van Dam
Industry Relations Coordinator
kvandam@colum.edu
Katie Van Dam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her professional background spans both large corporations and small organizations, with past roles at United Airlines, Northwestern University, and most recently, as the founder of her own small business specializing in unique home decor.
Through this entrepreneurial venture, Katie has developed a strong passion for supporting and connecting with Chicago’s small business community. She has participated as a vendor at numerous pop-up markets and festivals across the city, including Renegade Craft, SAUCED Night Market, and Midsommarfest in Andersonville.
At Columbia, Katie enjoys building relationships between employers and the college’s vibrant creative community. She helps connect students with meaningful opportunities by coordinating job and internship postings and supporting a range of industry-focused events, such as career fairs, panels, and portfolio reviews.
When she's not at the Career Center, Katie loves exploring small shops and bookstores throughout Chicago, swimming in Lake Michigan (only in the summer!), and experimenting with new recipes.
Jennifer Halperin
Career Advisor
jhalperin@colum.edu
Jennifer Halperin is an experienced writer, editor and career advisor. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Her background includes writing and editing for newspapers and magazines in Illinois, Ohio and Florida with a focus on politics and public policy, and teaching journalism at the college level. She has a successful freelance writing and editing business that includes clients from the US and the UK, including Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business.
When she’s not helping students and alumni advance their careers, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with her adult children in Chicago and Los Angeles, hiking and gardening with her partner Glen and dog Rex, vegan baking, reading, dancing and matchmaking.
Tom Joyce
Career Advisor
tjoyce@colum.edu
Tom Joyce is a Career Advisor for the Career Center at ÒùÆÞÉç. In addition to his B.A. in Communications from ÒùÆÞÉç, he also has a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from North Park University. Prior to his current position, he spent 23 years as a full-time staff member for the Radio Department at ÒùÆÞÉç, serving as Internship Coordinator, Industry Relations Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Web Master, and Studio Center Coordinator. He is a 1993 graduate of ÒùÆÞÉç. As a student, he was Sports Director and Alternative Music Director for the school radio station, WCRX-FM.
While attending Columbia and thereafter, he worked as a Voiceover Talent and Production Assistant at both All My Features and Connor Communications in Chicago. Throughout his endeavors in the media industry, he has interviewed a wide range of local and national athletes and musicians and has reported on several important events. Born and raised in Chicago, he prides himself on “putting students in a position to succeed in experiential learning activities, internships, or employment opportunities.”