After 35 years with Florida State University, Kim Burkes is saying her goodbyes and retiring. She has managed admissions and academic advising at Dedman since 2016. We sat down with Kim to learn a little more about her time at FSU. 

Were you always with Dedman?
In 1988, I started my career at FSU in University Housing as a cashier supervisor, then went to work in the registrar and admissions offices. I handled non-degree seeking administration, transfer evaluations, and student certifications. I was there until 2005. After that, I joined the College of Business and became the registrar for online graduate programs and was responsible for admissions and advising. In 2015, I moved to the undergraduate advising office in the college. It wasn't until 2016 that I started working at the Dedman School of Hospitality (which was still housed in the College of Business).

What will you miss most about your job?
What I will miss most about my job are the campus partners and students with whom I've built close relationships over the years. I've had the pleasure of working with so many great supervisors and coworkers who have become lifelong friends. The friendships I've made and the joy of seeing students succeed will be the things I miss most about my job.

What will you not miss at all about your job?
Going 100MPH! I loved what I did, but I won’t miss trying to keep up with the constant changes.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I would remind myself... “If I don’t ask, the answers always going to be ‘no’. And if I don’t step forward, I’ll always be in the same place.”

What are you most proud of in your career?
It has been incredibly fulfilling and rewarding to witness the progress of students from the beginning of their academic journey to their graduation day. Being able to see them through the entire process, from getting admitted to walking across the stage at graduation, has been an incredible experience. Some days were tougher than others, but I'm proud of the fact that I kept a smile on my face and tried my best keep things moving forward.

Did you have a favorite desk decoration or office gadget?
Yes! It’s a paperweight with a rose embedded in it. I love flowers, so seeing it always made me happy. It was given to me by a dear friend who was going to throw it away, but I insisted on keeping it. I've had it for over 40 years.

What are your plans for retirement? What hobbies or activities are you looking forward to pursuing in retirement?
My plans for retirement are to get in shape and focus on more self-care :) I'm looking forward to spending time sitting on the beach, gazing at the ocean (especially getting to watch the sunset). I love to go to Destin and St. George Island. I hope to do lots of traveling, with Italy being my ultimate destination since that's where my family is from. I’ll also be enjoying a lot more boating, fishing, and gardening.