New Dean and Update on Bloch School of Management
Oct 06, 2017
Morning Meeting - Dr. Brian Klaas, Dean
New Dean and Update on Bloch School of Management

Dr. Brian Klaas, KC Dean of Bloch School

Brian Klaas, Ph.D., has been appointed Dean of the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Klaas is currently Senior Associate Dean for Research and Academics and Director of the Riegel & Emory Human Resource Center at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, one of the top 75 graduate business schools in the country as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Klaas is also a Professor of Management and previously served as Chair of the Department of Management and Faculty Director for the Master of Human Resource program. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.

Klaas’s appointment was announced this week by Barbara A. Bichelmeyer, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at UMKC.

“The Bloch School is Kansas City’s source for management education in both the for-profit and not-for-profit spheres. Dr. Klaas is a distinguished educator and a proven leader from a highly regarded school of business who has been very well received by the faculty, students and staff at the Bloch School,” Bichelmeyer said. “Dr. Klaas comes with strong references and recommendations. He has the knowledge and skills to lead the Bloch School into the future, and to help us achieve the goals we have set for the school.

“We are preparing our students to be tomorrow’s leaders in Kansas City and beyond, and Dr. Klaas understands this responsibility. We are excited that he sees the opportunity and potential that is in the Bloch School and in Kansas City.”

Klaas said he is honored to have been selected to serve as the next Dean of the Bloch School of Management.

“I look forward to working with an outstanding team to help fulfill Henry Bloch’s vision for excellence. The school has all of the ingredients necessary for continued progress. It has impressive students and programs; strong support from university administration and key stakeholders within the community; and talented and dedicated faculty and staff,” he said.

“With all of this, there are exciting opportunities to deepen partnerships with organizations in Kansas City and beyond, to develop new programs in response to emerging needs, to enhance accessibility by leveraging technology, and to find new ways for partner organizations to serve as learning laboratories, where students and faculty help tackle critical organizational challenges.”

Klaas has published extensively in such areas as human resources, dispute resolution and labor relations. His work has been published in some of the leading journals in his field, including Academy of Management Review, Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Personnel Psychology, Industrial Relations and Journal of Management. He also has served on the editorial boards for a number of these journals and has had his research funded by organizations such as the Society of Human Resource Management, the Upjohn Institute, and the Gevity Institute. During his time at USC, Klaas has served on a wide range of college and university committees and worked extensively with undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students.

http://info.umkc.edu/unews/bloch-school-appoints-new-dean/