Dr. Kleis was a professor in the department of Administration and Higher Education from 1942 to 1979.
Kleis, noted for his contributions to the field of adult education, came to MSU in 1941 as a graduate assistant in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. From 1942-1954, he served the MSU agricultural short-course program as an instructor, assistant professor and assistant director.
From 1954-1958, he was director of program development and assistant director of continuing education. In 1958, Kleis was appointed associate professor of administration and higher education and in 1970 was named professor. He was also director of graduate studies in continuing education for the College of Education. From 1969-1974 Kleis also directed Project Enable, a five-state, in-service staff development project serving adult basic education administrators, teachers and counselors. Kleis retired in 1979.
Before joining the MSU faculty in 1941, Kleis taught school in rural Michigan. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MSU.