Military spouse provides student support in the College of Applied Studies
Cristina Doan, Graduate Program Coordinator, College of Applied Studies, FSU Panama City
Family members: Please share your family member’s name/relation, branch of service, current rank/position title, current duty station (if available).
My husband, Toney Doan, is a Captain in the United States Air Force. He is currently stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.
As a veteran or military family member, what has stood out to you as a positive experience or attribute during your experience working at FSU Panama City/The Collegiate School?
When I moved from California to Panama City, Florida, I was genuinely concerned about not being able to find a job doing what I love to do best, which is assisting and supporting college level students. I had left a full-time job working at a university in California and had every intent to do the same kind of work in Panama City. Although I was fairly new to the military lifestyle, I was well aware at the time that being a military spouse meant encountering some challenges. One of those challenges being finding a new job each time my spouse is assigned a new duty station.
I was very fortunate to be offered a job at FSU Panama City. The faculty, staff, and leadership on campus all welcomed me and acknowledged my role, not only as a staff member, but also as a military spouse. I had no idea how supportive my colleagues and the entire campus were for the military community (active duty, veterans, and dependents). I'm grateful and proud to say I’ve been employed at FSU Panama City for four years. I am thankful my colleagues and leadership have all been understanding and empathetic to my experiences as a military spouse.
How do you feel the local Panama City/Bay County community has demonstrated its support for veterans and/or military family members?
The Bay County community provided me with a sense of belonging. There were numerous events and activities in the community for military members and their families. It gave me the opportunity to meet the locals and learn new customs, which was exciting for me. The Panama City community was a community I could rely on and turn to for help. I had neighbors who offered to mow my lawn, who checked-in on me and invited me to events, and who walked by my side when I showed up at my home alone wondering how badly Hurricane Michael had damaged our home. If there is one thing to be said about the Panama City community, it is their overwhelming support for active-duty military members and their families.