Grace Davenport (B.A. ’21, B.I.S. ’24)
Grace Davenport (B.A. ’21, B.I.S. ’24) is a versatile multimedia professional. After earning a degree in Film and Media in 2021, she began working as Georgia State’s social media coordinator and content curator. Aspiring to further pursue her passion for film and media, she recently completed her second degree, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies focused on acting.
Interview by Jordan Ferguson
Tell me why you chose Georgia State University.
I grew up in Ellijay, a rural town in North Georgia. I had looked at a couple of schools for film and I knew that Atlanta had a thriving film industry. It was on my list, but I also had been on a field trip to Atlanta, and I just fell in love with the city and the buildings and how it moves at a faster pace. It was different from my town. When I got on campus, I realized that I had not spent any extended time in the city. It put me out of my comfort zone, and I liked it because I knew I’d have the opportunity to grow.
During your time at Georgia State, what activities were you involved in?
I was involved in several things on campus. I was part of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries, a Christian ministry group on campus. I also was a part of The 1913 Society, which is an ambassadorship program. That was a really fun group to be a part of because I was able to give back to the university. I was a part of the film club and the Atlanta City Theatre. I also was a tour guide for Georgia State in the Welcome Center during my entire undergrad term. I loved being a tour guide and telling people about the university and its offerings.
What type of opportunities has Georgia State afforded you?
I got to do a lot of hands-on work at the Georgia Film Academy. As a student, a big part of what I wanted to do was work on directing and casting. I got several internships through the Film and Media program, one of them being at a casting agency. I could also go to Trilith Studios and learn about the production process, which helped me narrow down what I wanted to do within the industry and gave me those hands-on skills. I also met many incredible figures in the film industry, including Tom Luse (B.A. ’74, M.S. ’81), an artist-in-residence at the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) and the executive producer of “The Walking Dead.”
Tell me about the experience of taking time off from school, returning and turning your minor into a major.
When I started working full time with the university, I learned that the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) offers you a way to earn a degree at no cost. As soon as I found out, I knew I wanted to take that opportunity because I felt my time at Georgia State was not quite done. I knew I wanted to direct theatrical and film productions, and I thought it might be a good opportunity to take those classes, so I did. That process was exciting because I hadn’t gone to school in a couple of years, but I could also take courses in my own time at a much slower pace. I think that helped, along with my office’s flexibility to give myself the grace and the time to take those classes. That process was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. I felt very supported in that mission.
What is your current position?
I’m the social media coordinator for the university’s central Division of Public Relations and Marketing Communications. My job is monitoring and distributing content through all the university’s social media accounts. I am also the person people come to when they need to get content out. I actively try to create content that appeals to our students and keeps them informed about what's going on on campus.
Tell me about some of your favorite content you’ve created thus far.
My favorite video I ever shot was a TikTok when I started working in January 2022. It’s a video referencing “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” a show I watched in my childhood. The sound was called “Welcome to the Tipton,” but it’s “Welcome to Georgia State.” I had our tour guides go across campus and do choreography and cute little vignettes. It was so fun, and everybody loved it and felt like they were represented and seen in that video. That’s one of my prouder moments making content.
How is your degree tied to what you’re currently doing?
I’m constantly using the knowledge I gained from that film degree to create content that’s effective, nice to look at and grabs people’s attention. I definitely think that a lot of my skills from that time period play into the skills I have to use every day in the office. My Film and Media degree also helps me a lot outside of the office. In the evenings, I work at Out Front Theatre Company and other theaters across Atlanta. I direct shows, and the theater degree was able to get me in those doors and get me into places where I can do what I love outside of my normal 9-to-5 work hours.
What advice would you give those coming from a rural town to a big city, especially the downtown area?
Be open minded. It’s a much different world here in Atlanta and keeping an open mind allows you to reap the benefits of everything you’re getting here. It also allows you to connect better with people unlike you. Knowing exactly where you’re going on campus and trying to learn the roadmap of the campus itself early on will help you get out and try new things around the city.
Taking it back to 2017, your first year of college, what advice would you give yourself?
I would advise my younger self to truly savor and appreciate all the little moments and experiences of that time. I would remind myself to cherish the connections with friends and make the most of my time in undergrad, as adult responsibilities come quickly. It’s important not to panic, as good opportunities will come without sacrificing personal needs, wants and values. Success can be achieved while staying true to oneself.
