A political theorist by training, my research interests consider how democratic and practice theory provide a lens to understand civic leadership, deliberative civic engagement and work/organization-based learning and development. My research is often situated from a critical, dialogic, and constructionist lens.

• Civic leadership
• Deliberative civic engagement
• Theory and practice of democracy

Grant awards

• Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute Grant, co-academic director

• Faculty Recognition Award, XIX Chapter of Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, 2019
• Finalist, Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement for Early Career Faculty, 2017
• Ubuntu Award, Kansas State University Black Student Union, 2016
• Co-Volunteer of the Year, Konza United Way, 2015
• Florida Campus Compact Graham-Frey Civic Award, 2013
• The John Saltmarsh Award for Emerging Leaders in Civic Engagement, American Association for State Colleges & Universities, 2013

I advance strategic partnerships with businesses and community organizations interested in designing personalized leadership development experiences connected to the Staley School’s research agenda.

• Alhassan, A. L. & Kliewer, B. W. (2022) African Leadership in the Diaspora: Diffusion, Infusion, Synergy, and Challenges, Journal of Leadership Studies,15(5), 1-5.
• Ari, A. A. & Kliewer, B. W. (2022) Solidarity for African Women’s Rights: A Case of Co-Emergent Grassroots Leadership Activity in Nigeria, Journal of Leadership Studies, 15(5), 5- 10.
• Kliewer, B. W. (2022). Preparing leadership and the intersection of life and politics. In K. Guthrie and K. L. Priest (eds.), Navigating complexities of leadership: Moving toward critical hope. IAP, pp. 39-47.
• Kliewer, B. W., Gott, T., Long, K., & Tolar, M. (2022). The
  practice and impact of leadership in Sub-Saharan context. In G. Perruci (ed.), The study and practice of global leadership. Emerald Publis
• Kliewer, B. W. (2019). Disentangling Neoliberalism from Leadership Education: Critical Approaches to Leadership Learning and Development. New Political Science, 41:4, 574-587.
• Kliewer, B. W., & Wanjiku Ndurangu, B. (2019). Advancing Reciprocity in Cross-Cultural Leadership Coaching. Journal of Leadership Education, 18(4), 179-187.
• Kliewer, B. W., & Priest, K. L. (2019). Building Collective Leadership Capacity: Lessons Learned from a University-Community Partnership. Collaborations: A Journal of Community-based Research and Practice, 2(1), 16.
• Hartlep, N. D., Lake, D., Purcell, J. W., Bush, A., Perry, L. G., Fleck, B., Kliewer, B. W., Janke, E. M., Markham, P., Orphan, C. M., & Saltmarsh, J. (2019). Toward an Innovative Civic Engagement Pedagogy. eJournal for Public Affairs, Article.
• Priest, K., Kliewer, B. W., & Stephens, C. M. (2018). Kansas Leadership Studies Summit: Cultivating Collaborative Capacity for the Common Good. Journal of Leadership Education, Jul 17(3), 195-207.
• Priest, K., Kliewer, B. W., Hornung, M., & Youngblood, R. J. (2018). The Role of Mentoring, Coaching and Advising in Developing Leadership Identity. New Directions for Student Leadership, 158, 24-35.
• Gott, T., Kliewer, B.W., Priest, K.L., & Tolar, M.H. (2018). The Path Forward: A Case for Openness in Leadership Studies. Journal of Leadership Studies, 12, 56-59.

• Ph.D. in political science, The University of Georgia
• M.A. in political science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• B.A. in political science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• A.A. in military science and general education, Marion Military Institute

I volunteer with BikeWalkMHK, an organization that enables safe and equitable active transportation on Manhattan’s streets, sidewalks and trails through education and advocacy programs. I also serve on the Kansas Leadership Center's Civic Engagement Advisory Committee. Imagining what is required to revitalize civic life in Kansas energizes my work.