James Allen, director of Academic and Registrar Services at Florida State University Panama City, recently received the 2023-24 Exemplary Service Award for Student Services. The recognition was presented by the FSU Division of Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost. 

“Jim is dedicated to helping students achieve their career goals and is an invaluable asset to the FSU Panama City community,” said Cristina Doan, graduate coordinator for the College of Applied Studies, who nominated Allen for the award. “Jim is a busy person with multiple roles and responsibilities … but he never fails to make time for his colleagues, staff, faculty and students. He is always ready to lend a helping hand, troubleshooting countless academic and student support issues or problems that require immediate attention and providing his undivided attention to anyone who needs it.”

Following a nomination process, the Exemplary Service Award is bestowed annually on an employee in each of these seven categories: Administrative Services; Budget and Financial Services; Cultural Arts Services; Library, Media, and Communications Services; Scientific and Research Services; Student Services; and Technology Services. 

“For the past 8 years, Jim has worked extensively to foster and promote a culture of career readiness among students across the FSU Panama City campus and believes that is a crucial component to our student’s overall success and experience at FSU,” Doan said.

Allen is the primary point of contact for career readiness resources and career preparation at FSU Panama City. He serves as liaison to the FSU Career Center in Tallahassee and leads the coordination and implementation of on-campus career readiness events, including the annual FSU Panama City Career & Internship Fair, which takes place each spring semester.

“This year, Jim also led a partnership with the James T. Cook Library & Learning Center in providing greater on-campus access to the FSU Career Center’s virtual career advising sessions and providing access to specific library material for FSU Panama City students considering careers in related industries,” Doan said. “These sessions take place twice a week and provide students with personalized career counseling from experienced FSU Career Center staff.”

A U.S. Navy veteran, Allen serves as the local military contact and campus liaison for the FSU Student Veterans Center. He is the contact for all student veterans and military family members on campus, providing direct support for student veterans transitioning for the first time to a college campus. He provides information related to their requests for VA benefits, veteran related support resources in the local community, referrals to university certification officers and other special needs.

“Jim also hosts a monthly First Friday Feast for all Panama City student veterans, which helps to foster a culture on campus that recognizes and supports military veterans as well as the local military community,” Doan said. “He is also responsible for presenting graduating student veterans with their official FSU Veterans Alliance challenge coin and veterans honor cord prior to each campus commencement ceremony.”

In July 2023, Allen established the FSU Panama City Military Veteran, Service Member and Family Member Spotlight to bring greater awareness of FSU Panama City’s commitment to the local military community—which includes both Tyndall Air Force Base and Naval Support Activity Panama City. Thus far, a total of 13 spotlights have been shared on FSU PC and College of Applied Studies social media accounts, as well as the FSU PC Veterans Services webpage, which Allen also oversees.

“He is passionate about honoring those who serve, have served, and are family members of a military service member or veteran,” Doan said. “His relationship with the FSU Student Veterans Center enables him to foster a greater understanding of military community across the Panama City campus.”

Allen also co-leads the planning, coordination and execution of the annual Spring Commencement Ceremony for FSU Panama City.
To learn more about the Academic Affairs Employee Awards, visit provost.fsu.edu.