MICHELE MITROVICH

I am a Russian-American Archaeologist in the field of the Bronze Age Aegean. The best way to describe myself in one sentence: I have the eye of an artist, the heart of a poet, and the mind of a scientist. 

I received my BA Summa Cum Laude with a double major in Classical Archaeology and Art History from Hunter College, City University of New York, under the mentorship of Prof. Robert B. Koehl. I continued my studies at the University of Texas at Austin with Prof. Thomas G. Palaima in the Program in Aegean Scripts and Prehistory (PASP). Upon his retirement, in 2023, I transferred to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where I am currently studying in the graduate program in Greek and Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology. I specialize in Minoan iconography and Aegean-Near Eastern interconnections.

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Academic Honors and Distinctions:
 

• The Daughters of Penelope Big Five Graduate
   Scholarship 2020, DOP National
   Headquarters, AHEPA

• AHEPA, Manhattan Chapter Delphi #25       

   Scholarship Grant, 2019

 • 5-year PASP Fellowship Award
• Rhys Carpenter Prize in Archaeology             

 • The Estate of Helen L. Welch Graduate 

   Scholarship            

 • Eta Sigma Phi National Honorary Collegiate

   Society for Classical Studies          

 • Excelsior Book Prize in Introductory Greek       

 • Departmental Honors in Art History               

 • The Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship             

In the summers of 2020-2023, I participated in study seasons and excavation work in the Koumasa Archaeological Project in the village of Koumasa, Crete. In 2019, I took part in the 10-week study season of the Mochlos Archaeological Project at the INSTAP Center for East Crete in Pachia Ammos, Crete, Greece.

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I am also an artist, poet, photographer and designer. My interests range dramatically (in every sense of the word) and include classical music and literature, dance, animal rescue, and a cruelty-free vegan lifestyle. I adore Sergei Babayan's Domenico Scarlatti and J.S. Bach performed by Glenn Gould. My favorite author is F.M. Dostoyevsky. I love Anton Chekhov and also Japanese Noh Theater - one of the oldest extant theatrical forms in the world, taking its root in the 14th century.

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I am a proud member and a former Corresponding Secretary (April 2018 – May 2019) of the Daughters of Penelope, Manhattan Chapter Evryklea #36, New York, NY, a branch of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), focused on philanthropy and education.

 

I find my creative inspiration in the beauty of Nature with all her ever-changing moods of rain showers, snow storms, and bright sunny skies, in her scarlet garments of dawn or the royal blue mantles adorned with sparkling rhinestones of stars. She is always different and always fascinating, she is the perfect muse.

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Another important source of inspiration for me is the philosophical complexity and symbolism of the art of the Renaissance, the psychological depth of the Old Masters, and the emotional vibrancy of the Impressionists.