Christopher Kluse, Ph.D.

faculty photo of Christopher Kluse, Ph.D.

Christopher Kluse, Ph.D.

  • Position: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs/Associate Professor
  • Phone: 419-372-2441
  • Email: ckluse@bgsu.edu
  • Address: 287 Engineering and Innovation Center

Position: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Associate Professor, Quality Systems
Program Coordinator, BGSU Online, Quality Systems

Dr. Kluse joined Bowling Green State University in 2015 with a distinctive combination of industry leadership, academic innovation, and a strong commitment to student success. He began his professional career in late 1980’s in the quality and manufacturing sector, primarily in the automotive industry, where he served in mid- and senior-level quality management roles and developed expertise in quality systems, process improvement, manufacturing operations, and organizational leadership. While working full time, he also completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

His passion for teaching grew from years of leading in-house training in quality systems, process improvement, and problem solving. From 2005 to 2015, he taught part time in the evenings at Owens CC, Eastern Michigan University while continuing in his industry career. He also served as an adjunct faculty member and subject matter expert in Quantitative Studies and Operations Management at Southern New Hampshire University, where he gained valuable insight into the needs of adult and non-traditional learners.

Dr. Kluse joined BGSU full time in 2015 and became coordinator of the Quality Systems program. In that role, he led the program’s transition online and redesigned the curriculum to better serve working professionals and other non-traditional students. Under his leadership, the program grew from approximately 43 students to a peak enrollment of about 150, while also achieving ABET accreditation in 2018 and successful reaccreditation in 2022. Dr. Kluse is also the program representative for the Indiana State-BGSU PhD consortium program in Technology Management.

In addition to his academic leadership, Dr. Kluse remains active in industry through consulting, training, and expert advisory work in automotive, medical device manufacturing, and general manufacturing. His work includes quality management systems, process control, data-informed decision making, problem solving, ISO audit preparation, and training in FMEA, SPC, control plans, APQP, process capability, and standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and IATF 16949. He has also served as an expert witness in several cases involving quality and manufacturing-related matters.

At BGSU, Dr. Kluse earned tenure and later served as Assistant Director and Acting Director before being appointed Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. His career reflects a sustained commitment to academic quality, workforce-focused education, and leadership grounded in both professional practice and higher education experience. Dr. Kluse holds a Ph.D. in Technology Management with a concentration in Quality Management and has taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in lean systems, quality auditing, Six Sigma, quality culture, and quality systems planning.

Education

  • Ph.D. in Technology Management, Concentration in Quality Management, Eastern Michigan University, 2012
  • MS in Industrial Engineering Technology Concentration in Quality Management, Eastern Michigan University, 2003
  • BS in Industrial Systems Management, Lake Erie College, 1998
  • Certified Manager of Quality and Organization Excellence by The American Society for Quality, Cert #3815.

Areas of Research

  • Failure Mode Effects and Analysis
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Six Sigma Methods for Improvement
  • Competency Based Education for Quality Systems
  • Applied Tools of Quality, and Quality Auditing

Courses Taught

  • QS 3550: Lean Systems for Manufacturing & Service
  • QS 3610: Quality Management System Audits
  • QS 3710: Six Sigma Overview
  • QS 3800: Lean Six Sigma
  • QS 3850: Core Tools of Quality
  • QS 4600: Quality Management System Planning
  • QS 4650: Leadership for Lean & Manufacturing & Service Operations
  • QS 4700: Kaizen Program
  • QS 4750: Capstone in Quality Systems
  • QS 4850: Quantitative Tools for Quality and Continuous Improvement 
  • QS 6100: Quality Management System Planning
  • QS 6260: Six Sigma Systems
  • QS 6270: Lean Systems Analysis
  • QS 6160: Quality Culture Assessment
  • QS 7020: Quality Change Culture
  • QS 7260: Quality Systems
  • QS 7270: Documentation Based Process Improvement

Updated: 06/10/2026 09:17AM