Rate My Professor Susan Baker

Susan Baker is Professor of Art History in the Department of Arts and Communication at the University of Houston-Downtown, where she has served since 1995. She earned her Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Houston-Downtown in 1994. Dr. Baker teaches courses in art history and humanities, contributing to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences curriculum. Her research focuses on nineteenth-century French art and prints, including Pablo Picasso's engagement with literary themes. She authored the article 'A Duel with Fernando de Rojas: Picasso's Celestina Prints,' published in Janus Head. Dr. Baker has presented papers at numerous academic conferences and chaired sessions, such as 'Artworks, Networks: Materializing Connectivity in Art Historical Research' at the Southeastern College Art Conference (SECAC) in 2014.

Dr. Baker has been actively involved in university governance at UHD. She served as Faculty Senator representing the Arts and Communication department from 2017 to 2019, participated in the Shared Governance Task Force in 2017, and was a member of the Academic Policy Committee in 2021. She contributed to various Faculty Senate committees and meetings over the years. In recognition of her long-term dedication, she received a 40 Years of Service award in 2024. Dr. Baker has led study abroad experiences, including trips to Paris with colleagues and over 100 students. Her expertise has been acknowledged by peers, with thanks noted in scholarly articles such as 'Ter Brugghen's Saint Sebastian Tended by Irene' in the Journal of Historians of Netherlandish Art.