Gracie Kurtz

Gracie Kurtz is a rising junior at the University of Florida, majoring in Public Relations. Born and raised a Gator, she grew up tailgating with her family and attending games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. There’s no place she'd rather spend her college career than Gainesville. Her journey in the media world began with a strong foundation in various roles, including digital news reporting, TV broadcast, video production and photojournalism. She has worked for PBS, WUFT and the Independent Florida Alligator. Though she initially focused on traditional media both on and off camera, Gracie has shifted her attention from journalism to public relations. Her background has equipped her with the ability to craft engaging content, capture compelling visuals and work under tight deadlines both individually and with a team of creatives. She is now eager to dive into social media marketing. Dedicated to her work in and out of school, she is committed to learning, growing and working with the Gainesville community.
Beyond academics, Gracie balances her studies with a part-time job as a barista, where she loves chatting with students on their way to and from class. As an animal lover, Gracie often spends her free time with her college cat Dottie and can be seen taking her on walks around campus in her cat backpack . She also loves rock climbing, cooking and hammocking with a book in Plaza of the Americas. Traveling the world is one of Gracie’s life goals, and this summer she had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in London, Scotland and Greece with students and professors in the UF College of Journalism and Communications. These adventures allowed her to check three destinations off her bucket list while simultaneously learning about and practicing mindful global creativity and communication. Next, she hopes to one day visit the Swiss Alps.