Will Stamatakos

Will Stamatakos is a mechatronics engineering major from DeKalb, IL

Hometown: DeKalb, IL

High School: DeKalb High School

Year: Expected graduation: 2027

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I received the NIU merit scholarship for my GPA in high school, the Kovacevich Scholarship for my engagement in the University Honors Program and excellent academic performance, and the Huskie Legacy Award because my mother graduated from NIU.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
When I was growing up, I claimed I wanted to be a Lego engineer until I was about 9 years old. After that, I just wanted to be a mechanical engineer. I developed an interest in electronics and programming a few years later, so my hope was to major in mechanical engineering and take some courses in electrical engineering and programming on the side. When I found out that NIU had a mechatronics program and that it was exactly what I had been looking for, I switched my major to mechatronics engineering before my first day at the university. I know my younger self would be thrilled.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am majoring in mechatronics engineering. I decided to major in mechatronics because it merges all of my interests — mechanical engineering, programming and electronics — into one course of study.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
It's not pleasant now, but the time-management skills it has forced me to learn are already proving useful in other areas of life. There's also a lot of people from different places with unique experiences and perspectives, and it's fun to get to know them.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
Usually, I make friends with whoever is sitting closest to me and whoever I think is smarter than me. I wouldn't say I do anything in particular to form these relationships, just being kind and showing genuine interest in people seems to do the trick.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am not currently, though I imagine they would increase the size and quality of my social circle.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The Mathematics Assistance Center (MAC) in the library has been very helpful for getting things done on time if I was struggling with them. The Learning Center in the engineering building has done the same by providing a space where you can go if you need help or even want to provide it.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
Meeting instructors and peers who genuinely care for each other has made asking questions far less stressful, since I now have many resources to consult.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
Aside from the feeling of community, the free printing in the honors building has been absolutely spectacular. It saves a ton of time from drawing out diagrams when taking notes, and having a physical copy of lab manuals is far handier than holding an unwieldy laptop or trying to read off a small phone screen.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
Mrs. Anderson has been one of my favorite professors. She was kind and personable and gave me and my peers room to improve our skills in public speaking and to give one another constructive feedback. She's the sort of person who stays with you long after you see her. She taught Communications 100.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I'm more aware of what I need to do, and I can better connect with my instructors. This helps me learn because I then have a reason to care about what they're saying on a more personal level.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is the Learning Center in the engineering building. I like going there because it usually contains people who are knowledgeable about subjects I might be struggling with, as well as others who might be struggling with the same subjects. It's also not a bad place to hang out in general, as they have some games and snacks to partake in.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Ask people, not websites. The sites can do an okay job, but people are generally far better at complaining online than giving compliments.

Why is a college education important to you?
It's the next step in my journey of learning about the world and the things I want to do in life. It's a unique opportunity.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
To-do lists and calendars. I'm by no means an organized person, but I've found it hard to forget things when I set a reminder for them. The calendar is also immensely useful for determining when I have free time and when I have crunch time.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I check my email on the daily and read the newsletters I'm sent.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I enjoy watching videos on YouTube or playing video games with people I've met online. I rarely go out with friends, as I hardly ever have the time, but I've also found that to be an excellent way to recharge.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I'm not employed at the moment. My hobby is a rather broad one, but it's the best way I've found to describe it — I like solving problems. Usually, I like solving other people's problems, since I find mine are harder to fix.