Rich Klein has been appointed as the new dean of the Stuart School of Business at Illinois Institute of Technology, effective January 1, 2025. Klein is expected to build on Illinois Tech’s legacy by using technology and innovation to prepare students for careers addressing global challenges.
Klein comes from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where he served as vice chancellor of institutional effectiveness and student success. At UNO, he used data and analytics to enhance student experiences, retention rates, and career outcomes. He also held dual faculty roles in UNO’s College of Business and College of Information Science and Technology.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join Illinois Tech as the dean of Stuart School of Business,” says Klein. “Higher education stands at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges that demand bold, innovative solutions. I’m eager to join Stuart, which is already a pioneer in meeting students where they are, ensuring the enduring value of their degrees, and providing a quality education that prepares them for the world today and in the future. I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, and alumni to lead the charge in redefining higher education.”
Klein commends Stuart's recent partnership with Coursera for a tech-focused M.B.A. program offering courses in finance, marketing, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, among others. This initiative has led to a 73 percent enrollment increase since last year.
“Rich Klein’s appointment is a critical step forward for Stuart School of Business,” says Illinois Tech Provost Kenneth T. Christensen. “With his visionary approach to education and profound understanding of data-informed student success strategies, we are poised to break the mold of higher education by delivering innovative, technology-driven learning experiences that not only attract and retain students but also ensure their success well beyond graduation.”
Before UNO, Klein was associate dean at Florida International University’s College of Business and interim director at its School of Accounting. He has over ten years of industry experience with companies like Automatic Data Processing and First Data Corporation.
“I am pleased to welcome Rich Klein to the Illinois Tech family,” says Illinois Tech President Raj Echambadi. “His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation align perfectly with our mission to provide an education of unequaled value to prepare students of all backgrounds for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Under his guidance, I am confident that Stuart School of Business will set new standards in education for the twenty-first century.”
Klein holds a doctorate in computer information systems from Georgia State University; a Master’s degree in Technology Management from Mercer University; along with both Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Economics from Boston University.