New Dean Hopes to Make 'a Positive Difference'
Date: March 25, 2008
Contact: Cheryl Caldwell, Director
University Communications Office
417-255-7960
Klein’s hiring was approved by members of the Missouri State University Board of Governors at their meeting on Friday, March 14, in West Plains. In addition to the title Dean of Academic Affairs, Klein also will be given the title of Professor of Communications.
“After an extensive, nationwide search and approval by the Board of Governors at the March 14 meeting, we are very happy to announce that Dr. Craig Klein has been selected as our new Dean of Academic Affairs,” Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “Dr. Klein has the experience, academic credentials and passion for student success that make him the ideal candidate. He will have big shoes to fill as Rita Fugate, selected as the first Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce’s Educator of the Year, has done a fantastic job as our Acting Dean of Academic Affairs. We look forward to a smooth transition as Dr. Klein joins us this summer and Ms. Fugate returns to the classroom as one of our very best teachers.”
Fugate, who took on the duties of acting dean in August 2007, said Klein will bring much experience to the job in terms of program assessment and strategic planning. “During his interview, he also displayed a number of traits that make him a good fit for our campus. He appeared conscientious, hard-working, coummunity-minded and ethical. He worked equally well with administrators, faculty and especially students. I look forward to working with him,” Fugate said.
Klein, who is currently a Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., recently visited West Plains in preparation for taking over his new duties on June 16 and said he believes the position provides the “right combination of opportunities that match my skill set. I genuinely feel I can make a positive difference. I have an analytic mind and a caring demeanor, and I think I am able to listen to multiple points of view, achieve consensus and guide discussion.”
Klein obtained his Bachelor of Science in Journalism in 1978 at the University of Kansas, his Master of Arts in Telecommunication in 1985 at Indiana University and his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership-Higher Education Administration in 1992 at the University of Florida. His teaching experience includes positions as Assistant Professor at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., California University in California, Penn., and Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla.; Associate Professor positions at Jacksonville University, Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga., and Humboldt State University.
While at Humboldt State, Klein served as chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Media from fall 2003 through summer 2004, overseeing eight full-time faculty, two administrative assistants, 12 student workers and six part-time faculty members. During Klein’s term as chair, the number of majors in the department grew by 10 percent, and two interdisciplinary minors were created. He also served as Director of News and Public Affairs at the campus’ radio station, KHSU-FM, from fall 1998 to summer 1999 and was Acting General Manager of the station for a brief time in the summer of 1999.
At Valdosta State, Klein served as area coordinator (chair equivalent) for the Telecommunications Department from fall 1994 through summer 1998. He handled all of the department’s administrative duties, including faculty and student recruitment, schedule planning, course assignments, advising coordination budgetary matters and equipment servicing. He also authored a successful new degree proposal for the major, which involved the oversight of the campus’ radio stations, WVVS-FM and WWET, as well as VSU-TV, a 24-hour cable channel programmed entirely by his department.
Klein said he has no plans to make any specific changes in the academic operations at Missouri State-West Plains when he arrives in June. “What I want to do initially is to be a good listener,” he said. “I want to hear people’s ideas. I want to hear in their own words what they think is best for the institution, their ideas about making things better. I want to spend time learning, watching and listening, and then go from there. I look forward to growing in the job, and I’m really happy to be coming to Missouri State-West Plains.”
DR. CRAIG KLEIN, center, is welcomed to Missouri State University-West Plains by Chancellor Drew Bennett and Acting Dean of Academic Affairs Rita Fugate. Klein, professor of communication and mass media at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., was hired March 14 by Missouri State University’s Board of Governors as the campus’ new Dean of Academic Affairs. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)