She teaches courses in modern, contemporary, and American art history. As Dr. Middleman's research on contemporary art focuses on instances of social intervention and aesthetic innovation, these interests inform the content of her courses and teaching strategies. With the support of a Henry Luce Foundation/ACLS Dissertation Fellowship in American Art, Dr. Middleman received her PhD from the University of Southern California, along with a Certificate in Visual Studies, from a program that emphasized interdisciplinary theories of the visual. She earned her master's degree in Modern Art History, Theory, and Criticism from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also serves as the executor of feminist artist Anita Steckel's estate.