Rita Klein

Title: Director, Student Success Center
Office: Mary Gladwin Hall 313
Phone: 330/972-5103
Email: rklein1@uakron.edu
Curriculum Vitae: Download in PDF format

Biography

Rita Klein serves as the Director in the Student Success Center for the College of Health Professions.  She holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration, as well as a Masters in Human Learning and a Bachelors in French, all earned at The University of Akron.  She taught high school for several years early in her career in education and began work at The University of Akron as a part time instructor in Developmental Programs teaching Basic Mathematics in1983.  She became involved in Tutor Training initiatives on campus as well as with Akron Public Schools.  She has served as a part time instructor in the College of Education.  She came to the School of Nursing in 1999 as a Student Retention Specialist as part of a federal grant awarded to the college to increase student enrollment and success in the nursing major.  Dr. Klein was appointed to the position in the Student Success Center in 2001.  She has done research in the areas of goal setting, teacher efficacy and student success.  She has presented numerous papers at local, regional and national conferences. 

Dr. Klein has served as an officer in several organizations, including Pi Lambda Theta (International Honor & Professional Association in Education) and the Ohio Association for Developmental Education.  She is currently a member of NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education), Women in Higher Education and The University of Akron Women’s Club.

Dr. Klein was recognized in 1993 by the Board of Trustees as an “outstanding faculty” member while still teaching part time.  She was made an honorary member of the Richard Hansford Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary in 2006 for her efforts and support in the establishment of living/learning communities on campus.  Her most prized recognition came from the Class of 2009 who presented her with an Outstanding Mentor Award at their pinning ceremony.