Alumni Spotlight: Pinyan Zhu

As a graduate student, I found the rhythm of reading, researching, doing field work, writing, and editing stimulating. Some stages are challenging but powering through them is fulfilling. This motivated me to seek a career in academia. 

Before I graduated, I applied for postdoctoral and tenure-track positions, and was extremely fortunate to receive an offer from Kent State University in Ohio. As the assistant professor of East Asian art, I taught global medieval art history, Chinese art, Buddhist visual culture, and ecocritical art history in East Asia. My teaching experience as a graduate student helped me a lot when I started the position. After acclimating to the new environment, I experimented with many new pedagogical skills and brought 3D printing and metal-casting into art history classes. Seeing students try new things, overcome setbacks, and make their own memories in the process has made me proud. (A special shout-out to Sooa at the Cleveland Museum of Art who gave a PASSIONATE class tour). In Fall 2024, I will join the Art History Department at Emory University as an assistant professor. I look forward to seeing what this new journey will bring me. 

My teachers and mentors inspired me with their knowledge and nurtured me with their positivity. In retrospect, I can see that such positive energy taught me how to handle critique and how to treat rejections as learning opportunities. This mindset truly has helped me as I started my career.

I recommend writing diligently: papers, reading notes, grant applications, job statements, anything relevant. Try not to miss internship opportunities at the Spencer Museum of Art, where I learned things that have been useful for my teaching and for nourishing for personal growth. Extend your learning beyond the department and outside the university. There are many wonderful workshops, reading groups, themed conferences, internships, and field trips out there. Subscribe to a few email listservs and keep an eye out for those opportunities.