District 6

Robert E. Schleper, Jr.

Dr. Robert E. Schleper, Jr. is a public servant at heart and is committed to the growth and success of Cuyahoga County. Born and raised in Northeastern Ohio, Dr. Schleper is deeply invested in the region’s growth and potential. As the representative for District 6, he believes in building consensus, identifying partnership opportunities, and creating an environment accessible to all residents of the County.

He is particularly interested in initiatives that address population decline, brain drain, and educational inequity.

Dr. Schleper has worked professionally in the field of education for close to 20 years. He has held educational positions in Cleveland, Boston, and Denver. He has been a high school English teacher and department chair, a high school principal, and has held administrative positions in gifted and talented education, instructional services, and concurrent enrollment.

In the university space, he has held faculty appointments and has led numerous student support teams that included academic advising and student success, student affairs, and international affairs. Currently, Dr. Schleper works with the Student Experience Team at Western Governors University, developing and building student success programming within their Academy division.

His work focuses on creating transformative and accessible educational experiences for students seeking a new path to higher education.

Robert’s political career started in 2015 when he was elected as councilman for the Village of Chagrin Falls. When elected, he was both the youngest, and the first LGBTQ member of that Council. Dr. Schleper was Chair of the Administration and Compensation Committee and Chair of the Arts Commission. Within this position, he served as liaison to the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District Board of Education.

After moving to Denver, Colorado to pursue a professional opportunity with Denver Public Schools, Dr. Schleper became active in the Denver County political and educational community.

In 2018, Dr. Schleper was appointed by then mayor Michael Hancock to serve as Commissioner for LGBTQ Affairs, as well as Commissioner for Crime Prevention and Control. His work on the LGBTQ Commission focused on advancing social, economic, and political equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. While he was a Crime Prevention and Control Commissioner, he supported evidence-based, diversionary programs and worked to reduce recidivism rates throughout the County.

During Dr. Schleper’s tenure, the role of the CPC Commission expanded to include behavioral health, identifying and addressing the specific health needs for those involved in the justice system. Within both positions, he worked with numerous stakeholders and legislators at the city, county, and state levels. Dr. Schleper served as the liaison to Denver Public Schools for both Commissions.

In 2021, after returning to Northeastern Ohio, Robert ran for and won a seat on the Chagrin Falls School District’s Board of Education. While on the Board, he sat on the District High Quality Learning Committee, the District Policy Advisory Committee, the District Capital Planning Committee, the District Healthcare Advisory Committee, and was the District Legislative Liaison to the Ohio School Board Association, as well as the Board Union Representative.

Dr. Schleper received an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from New England College. His dissertation, ‘Uncovering Components of Effective High Schools Through Stakeholder and Community Exchange’ researched the connections between high performing school districts and the communities they serve. He also holds an M.Ed in Professional Teaching as well as a B.A. in Journalism and English, both from John Carroll University.

He has completed graduate programming, licensure, and been selected to participate in other academic opportunities including Northeastern University’s MAT program, Cleveland State University’s nationally ranked Public Policy program, and other professional and educational certifications.

On Council, Dr. Schleper is Chair of the Operations, Information Technology, and Transportation Committee, and Vice Chair of the Education, Environment, and Sustainability Committee. He is also a member of the following committees and boards:

• Finance & Budgeting
• Community Development & Housing
• Health, Human Services & Aging

Robert, his husband Thomas, and their daughter Josephine, reside in Moreland Hills.