Klein, Petra

Mentoring Mindset:

I see my role as a mentor in helping my mentees reach their personal goals and realize their dreams. Reaching these goals is often a curvy road and it is my role to assist with smoothing out bumps and providing guidance at the various twists and turns along the way.

Higher Education and Employment Background:

• Associate Dean, OU (since 2017)
• Professor, OU (since 2016)
• Associate Professor, OU (2008-2016)
• Assistant Professor, OU (2002-2008)
• Visiting Assistant Professor, OU (2001-2002)
• Post-Doc, ETH Zurich, Switzerland (1999-2000)
• PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Karlsruhe, Germany (1999)
• Research Associate, University of Karlsruhe, Germany (1993-1999)
• Diploma in Physics, University of Karlsruhe, Germany (1993)

Life Defining Moments in Meteorology and Higher Education:

• Being a first-generation college student at a major university.
• Walking into a freshman Math class with roughly 300 male students and a handful of female students.
• Navigating the tenure-track faculty career as a first-generation college graduate and a new mother.
• Being an immigrant and newcomer with an unusual, interdisciplinary background in the School of Meteorology 20 years ago.
• Finding my support group of colleagues and friends and learning from amazing students along the way. It keeps me going!