Christopher Kluse

Christopher Kluse serves as an Associate Professor and Assistant Director for the School of Engineering within the College of Engineering and Innovation at Bowling Green State University. He additionally holds the role of Quality Systems eCampus Coordinator, overseeing online quality systems education at BGSU.

His academic credentials are:

• Ph.D. in Technology Management (Quality Management concentration), Eastern Michigan University, 2012
• M.S. in Industrial Engineering Technology (Quality Management concentration), Eastern Michigan University, 2003
• B.S. in Industrial Systems Management, Lake Erie College, 1998

He is also a Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence (ASQ, #3815).

Dr. Kluse's research centers on industrial quality methodologies. Key interests include Failure Mode Effects and Analysis (FMEA), Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma improvement methods, Competency-Based Education for Quality Systems, and Applied Quality Tools and Auditing. His work integrates 25 years of automotive industry experience with academic rigor, focusing on practical implementation frameworks and educational models that bridge theoretical concepts with real-world applications in manufacturing and service environments.

Professional honors include:

• Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence by the American Society for Quality
• Industry-trained Six Sigma Blackbelt

Prior to academia, Dr. Kluse spent 25 years in the automotive industry as a Quality Manager, Quality Engineer, and Operations Manager. He has worked extensively with OEMs (GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, KIA) and tiered suppliers, applying Lean and Six Sigma principles. At BGSU, he teaches courses across the Quality Systems curriculum including Lean Systems, Six Sigma, and Quality Auditing, leveraging real-world case studies from his industry career. His teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning through industry partnerships and hands-on projects.