Each week, Cleveland State University will profile new faculty members with a “getting to know you” feature called ProfTALK. Learn about your prof’s background, bona fides and how they contribute to the momentum of Engaged Learning. Then get behind the desk and learn a little more about what makes them tick. This week, we touch on public policy, food security, industrial knowledge and more. Meet Bobby Jo Fletcher, Ph.D. and Ihab Wattar, Ph.D.!

Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Assistant Professor Bobby Jo (B.J.) Fletcher, Ph.D.

Ph.D., Public Administration, University of Nebraska at Omaha (2020)

M.A., Public Affairs - Public Policy, University of Missouri, Columbia (2016)

G.C., Global Public Affairs, University of Missouri, Columbia (2016)

M.S., Personal Financial Planning, University of Missouri, Columbia (2013)

B.A., Finance, Asian and Comparative Philosophy/Ethics, Music, Westminster College (2008)

Dr. Fletcher is a visiting assistant professor in the Levin College of Urban Affairs. His research interests focus on public policy, food policy, and comparative policy—in particular, on food security and poverty both in the United States and internationally. His research also focuses on socially vulnerable populations in the urban context around issues related to social policy and has an interest in public administration ethics. He takes a phenomenological approach to understanding lived experiences around issues that relate to his research areas. He has also done work on emergency management and food security. His work has appeared in Emerging Voices in Natural Hazards Research and Food Policy and Politics.

What three words come to mind when you think of Cleveland State University?

Inviting, Diverse, Engaging.

What do you like most about teaching and why?

Being able to meet students where they are in their academic journey to be able to help them develop their intellectual identity to achieve their academic and career goals.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Travel when it is safe.

Where is your favorite place in Cleveland and why?

Have not had a chance to explore much of Cleveland… yet!

What is a “fun fact” about you that many people may not know about you?

I enjoy learning new languages.

What is your personal motto/mantra/axiom?

And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

Washkewicz College of Engineering Assistant Professor of Practice Ihab Wattar, Ph.D.

Ph.D., Engineering – Electrical Engineering, Cleveland State University (2000)

M.S., Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (1989)

B.S., Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (1987)

A.S., Associate of Science Illinois Valley Community College (1985)

Dr. Wattar has over 25 years of national and international experience in industry and academia holding senior positions in management and engineering. Before joining CSU as an assistant professor of practice in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 2021, he was assistant professor at Al Ghurair University from 2019 to 2021; proposal/bidding manager at ABB from 2012 to 2019; deputy general manager with ITAS Group in 2012, and chief operation officer at the Syrian Qatari Holding from 2008 to 2011. He has also worked for Bailey Controls/ABB as a senior design engineer and for Intel as senior application engineer. A CSU alum, Dr. Wattar has plenty of interests outside of academic and industrial activities. He is active and social in his community, loves swimming, horseback riding and enjoys being out in nature when he can.

What three words come to mind when you think of Cleveland State University?

Education, Success, Future.

What is a common question you get from Cleveland State University students?

How can we use what we are learning at CSU in real life?

What do you like most about teaching and why?

What I like most about teaching is meeting students from different ethnic backgrounds. Watching them solving a certain problem from their point of views. Also, teaching will allow me to pass my academic and industrial knowledge to students.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to spend time with my family and kids, play sports, and travel with friends and family. 

Where is your favorite place in Cleveland and why?

All the parks on the lake, so I can watch the sunset.

What is a “fun fact” about you that many people may not know about you?

A lot of people think I’m a very serious person. But in fact, I love jokes and I joke a lot with family and friends.  

What is your personal motto/mantra/axiom?

Life is too short, enjoy it while it lasts. Love for others what you love for yourself.