Rate My Professor Diane Stein

Diane Stein serves as Administrative Coordinator in the Department of Design at California State University, Long Beach, a position she has held for the past 11 years. She joined CSULB in 1989, coinciding with landmark events such as President George H.W. Bush's declaration of the end of the Cold War and the premiere of the first episode of The Simpsons. Stein began her career in Plant Operations, now known as Beach Building Services, before transitioning to academic departments including English, Economics, and Geology. Throughout her 35 years of service as of 2025, she has managed essential administrative functions such as equipment purchases, student assistant hiring and payroll, facilities issues, and departmental operations. Her approachable demeanor makes her the first point of contact for students and faculty, whom she prioritizes in every role, earning her the reputation as the glue that holds the Design department together.

Stein's exemplary contributions have been honored with the College of Liberal Arts Staff Appreciation Award in 1997 and Best of the Beach awards in 2020 and 2022. She previously served on the Staff Council as At-Large representative for the College of Natural Sciences. Memorable experiences include signing a beam during the 2008 groundbreaking for the New Hall of Science and attending the Long Beach Blues Festival to see B.B. King perform. She contributed to departmental tributes, such as honoring student Nohemi Gonzalez, killed in the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks during a study abroad program. Inspired by former Economics colleague Karen Fawson, Stein upholds a tradition of daily expressions of gratitude to her team and promotes independent learning. After supporting faculty recruitment efforts and events like the Expressions of Alamelu exhibition, she plans to retire in July 2025 to travel to Spain, Ireland, and Norway, visit U.S. national parks, and spend time with her eight-year-old granddaughter and retired friends.