Cynthia S. Colburn

Cynthia S. Colburn is the Blanche E. Seaver Chair of Fine Arts and Professor of Art History at Pepperdine University's Seaver College, where she coordinates the Art History program. She holds a PhD from UCLA and has received two teaching excellence awards. Her research examines ancient Mediterranean art, cultural exchange, dress/identity, and global art historiography.

Education:

• PhD in Art History, UCLA (2003)
• MA in Art History, UCLA (1997)
• BA in Art History, UCLA (1993)

Research Focus: She investigates cross-cultural connections in the ancient Mediterranean (Aegean, West Asia, Egypt), bodily adornment as identity expression, ritual performance, and decolonizing approaches to global art history. Her interdisciplinary work bridges archaeology, anthropology, and critical theory.

Awards & Grants:

• Blanche E. Seaver Endowed Chair
• Two Pepperdine Teaching Excellence Awards
• National Endowment for the Humanities Grant
• Archaeological Institute of America Grant
• Packard Humanities Institute Grant

Student Collaboration: Actively mentors students in research, including co-authoring publications on contemporary pedagogy (e.g., '#MeToo in Ancient Art').