Robert Kraus

Biography

Dr. Robert J. Kraus is the Dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, a world-renowned center for aerospace learning, nationally acclaimed for our achievements in collegiate aviation education, atmospheric sciences, space studies, and Earth system science and policy.

With 850 faculty and staff members serving 2,100 students from around the world, the Odegard School has earned an international reputation as one of the premiere Aviation and Aerospace colleges in the world. In addition to providing the highest quality education possible at a reasonable cost, the Odegard school has been very successful in garnering $18 million in externally funded contracts and research projects each year. With more than 130 airplanes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems, and a myriad of projects studying the Earth up to and through the sky, into space, to Mars and beyond, the School is leading the charge into the future of aerospace.

Prior to joining UND, Dr. Kraus served as the Associate Dean, Flight and Operations at Kent State University following a 28-year career in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. His final Air Force assignment was in Paris, France, where he was the Head of the Operations and Coordination Division in the NATO Science and Technology Organization Collaboration Support Office. His prior assignments were at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, at the US Air Force Academy, and as an operational and experimental test pilot in airlift aircraft.

Dr. Kraus has more than 3,300 hours in 35 aircraft as an aircraft commander, instructor and evaluator pilot, experimental test pilot and Hurricane Hunter.