William Stein, '95, M.S. '98, Brings a Passion for Learning to NIU Alumni Association Board of Directors
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet

William Stein, '95, M.S. '98, joins NIU Alumni Association Board
of Directors effective July 1. (Photo: © 2023 Jennifer Yount
Photography)

William Stein, '95, M.S. '98, Nokia’s principal logistics manager for Hardware Service Delivery Americas, works to live—not the other way around.
 

Stein has a professional career that spans almost 30 years since earning his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from NIU, but as a lifelong learner, he continues to seek new experiences. His most recent began on July 1 as one of the newest NIU Alumni Association board members.
 

“My association with NIU does not start and end in lockstep with my time enrolled as a student,” said Stein. “I am a reflection of all my experiences and time on this planet, and I am proud to represent NIU in the world.”
 

Stein and his wife, Beth, are passionate about travel. Beth is closing in on her 100-country mark, while William hopes to reach his 60th country before the end of the year. He says he runs into Huskies near and far. Stein has met NIU alumni on cruise ships when traveling internationally, discovered some of his local acquaintances are also Huskies, and connected with Phoenix-area alumni as an engaged NIU Alumni Association Arizona alumni representative for the past seven years.
 

“I am proud to be an active alumnus,” Stein said. “In addition to being involved regionally in Arizona, I have also been involved with the College of Engineering and Technology as a volunteer critiquing senior design projects. It’s important to me that I am an asset to the institution that helped define the person I am today.”
 

Growing up in Rockford, Illinois, the youngest of three boys and the son of an engineer, Stein was introduced to computers and technology early in life. 
 

“I remember using computers starting in grade school,” said Stein. “Soon afterward, we had our own computer in the house, which was somewhat rare in the early 1980s. Although I didn’t end up pursuing computer science, having extensive experience with computers and technology helped form my analytical and pragmatic approach to life and business.”
 

Stein attended NIU to experience going away to college while remaining close to family and friends.
 

“NIU is a big enough campus without being unnecessarily overwhelming, especially to first-generation college students,” he remarked.
 

While at NIU, Stein worked for the former Academic Computing Services Department, supporting computer labs across campus. He developed innovative methods for securing computers from unauthorized modification or software installation. Despite only having a part-time student employment role, Stein says he felt valued and respected as part of the department. 
 

Stein went on to earn a master’s degree in industrial management from NIU, where he was also a graduate assistant. He continued his admiration for teaching as an adjunct instructor at Kishwaukee College and on several Maricopa County Community College campuses for almost 25 years. He received the "Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award" for the 2022-2023 academic year at the Maricopa County Community College's Rio Salado campus, where he has served as the engineering adjunct lead faculty member since 2022.
 

“I am delighted to have participated in the NASA Space Grant and the Arizona-specific ASCEND! program while teaching,” said Stein. “I had the opportunity to support STEM students in Arizona and even participate on a flight team at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, working hands-on with students to assemble research hardware to be launched by sounding rocket to outer space.”
 

Stein is honored to have been selected as an NIU Alumni Association Board Member and is excited to give back to NIU. He believes his professional experience engaging teams of colleagues across the globe and at all levels of Nokia makes him well-suited for the board. 
 

“I am very approachable,” Stein said. “Talk to me any time if you want to discuss NIU, running, travel or cats. We can also chat about food, wine or whiskey. I am a credentialed chef and have taken sommelier classes with the hope of being fully certified one day.”

Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities at NIU, or contact us at volunteer@niu.edu or 815-753-2586.