Cyber Sleuth Extraordinaire

One of Eastern’s most prominent faculty members, Stuart “Stu” Steiner, in June was awarded the Trustees’ Medal, the university’s most prestigious  faculty accolade.

Steiner ’01, an associate professor of computer science and electrical engineering, is the founder and director of EWU’s Center for Network Computing and Cybersecurity. The center is home to a nationally prominent program that has placed Eastern students at the forefront of international efforts to make digital technologies less vulnerable to attacks.

The Trustees’ Medal is the university’s highest form of recognition for faculty achievement. Since 1978, it has honored teaching excellence, significant contributions to scholarship and research, and accomplishments in the development of academic programs and curricula. The award consists of a silver medallion and a $1,500 cash prize from the EWU Foundation.

Steiner, who has served on the Eastern faculty for more than 20 years, has a reputation for operating an inclusive program that opens doors for all students. This commitment to the university and his “unwavering support” for students was cited in the multiple endorsements that supported his Trustees’ Medal nomination.

In a letter signed by more than 60 Eagle undergraduates, for example, Steiner was credited for significantly advancing their academic and personal development.

“His larger-than-life presence can be felt in every corner of the campus, and we have always known that we can turn to him with any concern, however big or small,” the letter said.

On a professional level, his students’ experiences include helping small Washington cities, among them Liberty Lake and Kittitas, fend off cyberattacks. An Eagle team coached by Steiner also earned a national title for EWU at the 2023 NCAE Cyber Games in Florida.

His contributions to the university aren’t limited to academic work. In addition to serving on the EWU Foundation board, Steiner and his wife, Shirlee, have contributed significant scholarship support for students who are underrepresented in the cybersecurity field. Steiner also works to engage next-generation students by organizing cyber camps, regional competitions and mentoring activities.

Beyond the EWU campus, his work has earned the attention of the federal National Security Agency, which tapped him to mentor faculty members at other universities as they work to establish their own cybersecurity programs,

“In all my time working in higher education, I can think of few people with both the passion, the expertise and, most critically, the commitment to the institution that Stu Steiner embodies,” said David Bowman, dean of Eastern’s College of STEM. “I can think of no person more deserving of EWU’s highest honor.”