On Tech, Family, and the Future: Meet Kate Klepper, the New Grad School Dean at Babson
“Only Babson can move the world.” That’s what Kate Klepper thought as she returned to Babson after 20 years to find the Babson Globe, all 25 tons of it, had been moved to a new spot.
Klepper, who in June took on one of the most prominent positions at Babson College, that of dean of its F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, previously served as dean of graduate admissions from 2001 to 2005. Her new office on the third floor of Olin Hall is just down the hall from where she used to work.
Beyond the world shifting, much has changed at Babson since those earlier days. In the just over 20 years Klepper was away, working as an associate dean for graduate business programs at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business, the physical campus has undergone a transformation. So has the College’s educational offerings. The graduate school’s portfolio of programs has grown more complex, most notably expanding into multiple master’s degrees and even a doctorate in business administration. “The complexity is a very tangible difference from years before,” Klepper says.
In her office in Olin, her windows looking out at College Drive as it winds through campus, Klepper sat down for an interview as the late summer quiet gave way to the bustle of the fall semester. That conversation, edited below for length and editorial style, reveals someone who is settling into a new role while looking to the future, her thoughts turning to artificial intelligence, the uncertainty of the times, and the importance of making progress step by step.
Higher education, Klepper says, is always moving. It has no choice. “It’s important that what we do is changing enough to meet the needs of the future,” she says, “and not just do what we’ve always done because it worked.”
What’s it like being back at Babson?
“It’s not like going home per se, because so many of the people have changed, but it’s like going home in that I’ve lived here before and it’s been redecorated. Things have changed. There are new systems in the house, but everything else is familiar. The vibe is still very much what I remember. It is a very community-first, human-centric vibe. Everybody focused on delivering a best-in-class education and experience. It’s been a welcoming onboarding.”
Why do you like working in higher education?
“One of the things I like best about working in higher ed is that you’re surrounded by young people. It helps to stay current and understand where things are going and how markets are moving. We’re getting a bird’s-eye view on future leaders by not only helping to educate them and prepare them for what’s next, but to understand what drives them and what’s important to them.
“The other equally satisfying part about working in higher ed is you work with smart people, and that’s an exciting place to be. Our faculty are excellent at what they do. They are generous with their time and knowledge, which ultimately benefits students and our community. Since I’ve been back, the faculty have been incredibly generous with me, asking, ‘What can we do to help?’ ”
What projects or challenges on your to-do list will you be focusing on first?
“Because the portfolio has expanded tremendously and the market continues to shift dramatically, it’s always good practice to do an assessment. Where are we at this point in time? Are we offering the right programs? Are the programs we’re offering performing well in the market?
“You cannot escape the impact of AI on higher ed. One of the things that we are working on, not just within the graduate school, but across the College, is Babson’s position on AI. What do we believe every student needs to know and be able to do? How do we work with AI? How do we use the tools that exist and develop tools to make better informed decisions? Not to cede decision making to technology, but to use the tools to be more effective in our decision making.
“I have philosophical questions about whether AI makes you more efficient or if it just makes more information available, which doesn’t necessarily make you efficient. It’s just more. Sometimes more is better. Sometimes more is more. Understanding and being able to discern between the two is where critical thinking comes in. We can’t let go of the human in the human-machine interaction, and that is a big, wide-open space for graduate management education right now. Wide open spaces are the playground for entrepreneurs. Who is better than Babson to fill that space?
“Another challenge we’re facing is the state of the world. We have a wonderful, multicultural, international population facing stress and uncertainty. This uncertainty impacts our students, alumni, campus community, and corporate partners. We live in a world that is in an interesting moment. And so, it’s incumbent on us to prepare ourselves and ensure resiliency, thinking about the future, while also supporting our multicultural community. We’ve got students who are counting on us.”
In your work, do you have a North Star or a mantra that guides you?
“I often say, ‘Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.’ It helps to focus on what I can do right now. I want to keep an eye on where I’m going and not be paralyzed by the enormity of where we ultimately need to be. The big, hairy, audacious goal—the only way to do that is by taking it step by step.”
Who inspires you in your work and life?
“My family inspires me. I’ve got grown kids. Seeing the world through their eyes and their perspective, I feel a responsibility to help ensure that the world that they’re inheriting is here and healthy, and that their generation is set for what’s next.
“I believe the younger generations are more empathetic and caring about the world and its future, and not just about their friends and their own well-being. I find that to be remarkably inspiring.”
One final question: Is Kate short for anything?
“I am often asked if Kate is a nickname or a shortened version of a given name. The answer is no. My name is Kate. Short and to the point. Just like me!”
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