DeKALB | Sycamore City Manager Bill Nicklas will leave his post in Sycamore on Oct. 3 to join NIU as the associate vice president for institutional planning and sustainability.

Nicklas is familiar with the school, having gotten both his master’s degree and Ph.D. in American history from NIU.

“It is a privilege to have this opportunity to come back to NIU,” Nicklas said. “I have lived in the Sycamore and DeKalb area since 1970, and my work in the public and private sector has been greatly affected by the economic and cultural impact of NIU.”

Nicklas was Sycamore’s city manager for 13 years and was DeKalb’s city manger for five years before that.

“Working as city manager in the city of Sycamore has been an honor and a joy,” Nicklas said. “But I am excited at the opportunity to work at NIU.”

Nicklas said his new job will include helping the university develop and implement plans necessary to achieve President Peters’ Vision 2020 Initiative.

“There is room for me to expand on the objectives within the goals set forth by the president in his 2020 plan,” Nicklas said.

Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy said he will miss Nicklas.

“Bill has been an excellent city manager,” Mundy said. “It is a big loss for us. Bill has been the operations manager, chief budget officer, chief financial officer and in charge of daily operations for 13 years. He has made all the difference in the world for the city of Sycamore. The success the city has enjoyed is directly related to Bill’s management style.”

Nicklas said he will miss Sycamore, but is excited for his new job.

“I think it gives me a new challenge and the prospect of making a bigger difference,” Nicklas said.