Staff Spotlight: Bob Klein
Bob enjoys the local scenery and wildlife in Nepal.
When did you start at UCBA and what are your current responsibilities?
I joined UCBA in May 2024 and have never felt more welcome anywhere. I serve UCBA as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, supporting the academic chairs including the library, the Instructional Designer, and the directors of Study Abroad, Honors, and the Learning + Teaching Center. I contribute to shared governance in matters related to the academic mission. I’ve also taken on a portion of responsibility for dad jokes.
Prior to joining UCBA, I served briefly as Chair of a Teacher Education department in Illinois. The 18 years prior to that were at Ohio University in a variety of roles in the department of mathematics (Undergraduate Chair, Advising Coordinator), at the Lancaster and Eastern regional campuses of OU (Associate Dean, Dean), and at the university (Provost Fellow, Presidential Teacher). My passions have always been in championing inclusive excellence in mathematics education, Indigenous education, and rural education.
What is your favorite thing about working at UC Blue Ash?
The people that make up the Blue Ash College community are smart, kind, creative, giving… I can see everyone including faculty, staff, students, and community partners contributing to our mission with a diversity of perspectives, talents, and histories. The campus is beautiful to boot. Also, the portfolio of academic offerings at Blue Ash College makes for a wonderful place to work.
During research work in Mexico.
Bob with his wife, Jenny, and their three daughters. He officiated the wedding of his middle daughter, Danielle.
Is there a current/recent book or podcast you’re enjoying?
I just finished reading Frankenstein for the first time and it wasn’t what I was expecting—it’s no wonder that people keep trying to make a good movie version. I’m also in the middle of Ned Blackhawk’s excellent history of Indigenous America, The Rediscovery of America. As far as podcasts, I love Andrew Hickey’s History of Rock-and-Roll in 500 Songs. It’s worth listening from song 1: “Flying Home” by the Benny Goodman Sextet and he’s now on Song 175: Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People.”
What kind of hobbies or activities do you pursue outside of work?
I caught the hiking bug growing up in New Mexico, and I continue to enjoy that as well as landscape and nature photography. I love music and have been exploring neuroplasticity by buying a drum kit and trying to convince my four limbs to do different things simultaneously—the same challenge I face when I have to dance
What is one fun or interesting fact you would like to share about yourself?
Interesting: I’m red-green color blind so I’m not allowed to by fruit unaccompanied by a family member (there was just one pint of green strawberries, but my family holds a grudge). Fun: I’ve flown in an untethered hot air balloon with a pilot-in-training and his instructor. This means that another fun fact is that I’ve experienced multiple hard landings and drags through sage brush and cactus in a hot air balloon—and I’d do it again anytime.
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