Dr. Cynthia R. Easterling serves as the Associate Provost at Southern Miss. She has been at the university for over 30 years as a faculty, as well as serving in various administrative roles during her tenure. She continues to serve as Professor of Fashion Merchandising and teaches one class each semester.

Dr. Easterling received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design from Stephens College, Columbia, MO; a Master of Science degree in Clothing Textiles from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA; a Masters degree in Art Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Doctorate degree in Clothing and Textiles from Florida State University. Her research interests include electronic retailing, consumer behavior, and fashion merchandising.

Dr. Easterling has authored two college textbooks, which have been published in English, Japanese, and Russian. One of her books has been published in Japanese and is used in fashion merchandising programs in colleges/universities. She has received the Excellence in Teaching Award at Southern Miss and the Professional of the Year Award from the Mississippi Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Dr. Easterling is an active member of the International Textile and Apparel Association and the American Collegiate Retailing Association.

Dr. Easterling's office is located in the Lucas Administration Building, Room 201. You can contact her by phone, 266-6579, or e-mail cynthia.easterling@usm.edu.