Ronnie Kurtz (AB ‘15, MPA ‘15) wears multiple hats at his day job as the Director of Planning and Community Development at the City of Grovetown, Georgia. Between managing policy strategy for the department and overseeing a dynamic team, a typical day could include handling code enforcement cases, drafting new zoning ordinances, holding public hearings, supervising building inspections, and overseeing daily personnel tasks. His role in local government is one that affords the opportunity to participate in an array of responsibilities and work closely with the public on a daily basis. As a Master of Public Administration (MPA) graduate, he credits his professional success to the program’s rigorous academic foundation, public service perspective, and the robust training in communications and critical thinking. “The program really prepared me for a variety of situations that come my way in my current role,” Kurtz remarked.

Starting at UGA with AP course credits from high school, Ronnie had the opportunity to graduate early. Instead, he utilized his time at the university by focusing on obtaining the MPA degree within the normal four years of study. He was particularly drawn to the program’s practical applicability. “It was consciously focused on developing practitioners in the field immediately,” he explains, and the initiatives that emphasize bringing trained public administrators to rural, local governments was something that spoke to him. This has led to his current involvement in developing and growing the David E. Ralston Small and Rural Communities Fund.

Ronnie explains about how he came to love small-town government, which wasn’t always the case. He talks fondly of his time in the Washington Semester Program in D.C. when he interned with Johnny Isakson and says, “To this day, the Washington Semester Program holds some of the fondest memories of my life. Being able to see this institution that you read about in the papers for so many years up close and personal was an eye opening experience.” The time in the capitol also showed him the difference between federal government work and being the boots on the ground in a small town. “I saw how removed one could be from the day-to-day people, and it made me critically think about where and how I wanted to make my impact getting out into the world.” It brought him back again to the idea of making a larger impact within a smaller community.

Now, as a new Board of Alumni member, Ronnie is using his knowledge and skills to give back to the UGA SPIA community. Moving to the City of Grovetown after living his entire life in the metro Atlanta area, he was transplanted somewhere that he didn’t know anyone. He found though that he was immediately welcomed by UGA Alumni as a friend and as a family member. They helped with the transition into the professional realm and made introductions so he was able to start feeling more at home in his new community. “I realized how powerful the UGA community is. Joining the board is my way of watering that tree so it grows for the next generation.” Inspired by his alumni mentors, such as GA State Representative Barry Flemming and Columbia County District Attorney Bobby Christine, Ronnie is ready to support students and new alumni the way he felt supported by those that came before him. Furthermore, he feels particularly blessed to have had the guidance of Jessica Hunt, Dr. David Williams, and the Foundation Fellowship Program during his time on campus. “I want to thank them for the support they provided me at the time that I was at the UGA. It will forever be appreciated and will not be forgotten. Serving our University is the least I can do!”

According to Ronnie, the best advice for students, especially those graduating next month, is: Don’t Be Afraid To Fail. “That’s what your twenties are about. It’s better to do something than nothing.” He shares an explanation of one of his favorite quotes from John Q. Adams, who equates life to a staircase when he said, “All rising to great place is by a winding stair.” Ronnie explains- “You are never going to be on a forward, straight, upward trajectory. You’ll be going left and right, taking steps you didn’t know you’ll be taking. But as long as you keep moving, life will take you up to where you belong!”