USF’s Ultimate "Go-to" Guy
Christopher Akin
Associate Director
Information Technology
When Christopher Akin started his career at USF in 1997, he began wearing a pager. Years later, the USF alumnus is still “on call.” And while some might consider it an inconvenience, Akin says it’s a privilege.
“I enjoy being part of the USF community. I seek out places where I can help,” he says. “Nothing brings me greater satisfaction than making a difference here.”
Akin describes himself as a “solutions provider.” And, without a doubt, many of the solutions he has implemented at USF make a big difference.
Technically speaking, Akin directs a broad range of university-wide information technology initiatives such as electronic commerce and web infrastructure that drive efficiency and collaboration, improve customer service for individual organizations, and directly support business objectives.
What that means in lay terms is that whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, or even a parent, you’ve benefitted from Akin’s innovative use of technology, and you’ve experienced the ripple effect of his dedication to the USF community.
His efforts help keep everyone on campus safer. They save students time. And his work has made life simpler for parents.
Take MoBull, for example. While USF implemented mobile texting technology years ago, tragedies at other schools heightened awareness nationwide of the critical need for instantaneous communication in emergency situations. Akin helped lead the effort to reengineer the application at USF so that it now connects more than 50,000 student, faculty and staff subscribers to potentially life-saving information.
As associate director for information technology, Akin is responsible for USF’s electronic commerce program. Thanks to work he started when he assumed the position, students no longer stand in line to pay bills. From tuition to parking, bills are paid electronically, a task that involved collaboration with more than 40 different departments.
Akin has also been instrumental in the implementation of Bull Bucks – USF’s declining balance program that can be used like a debit card for dining, residence hall laundry, purchases at the bookstore, computer store, pharmacy and more. While available to the entire university community, it’s particularly helpful for parents who can easily go on-line to add value to their student’s account.
Service to the USF community takes Akin well beyond his office walls and traditional office hours. He serves his administrative and professional colleagues as president of the A&P Council, and the entire campus as chair of the University Safety Committee. He has also served on the University Program Committee and the Campus Development Committee and as a past membership chair of the USF Club.
Without a doubt, however, his favorite volunteer position is that of chair and manager for part of USF’s Week of Welcome. For the past five years, Akin has recruited and coordinated the university-wide team of volunteers who staff information tables across the campus to offer directions and warm welcomes to USF students at the beginning of each fall semester.
“USF is a big place and new students are often stressed about finding buildings and getting to class on time that first week. We provide guidance and a cool drink of bottled water to make them feel more comfortable.
“After all, the students are the reason why we’re all here.”
-- Mary Beth Erskine, University Communications & Marketing