Courage in action: How international student Grace Katunzi turned her vision into reality through the hospitality and visionary voices series

As President of USF’s Hospitality & Tourism Student Club and the pioneer of the Hospitality and Visionary Voices Speaker Series—which brought leading industry professionals to campus— Grace Katunzi has already made a remarkable impact. Her passion for hospitality and tourism is sure to carry her far. Katunzi is a current master’s student in Tourism and Hospitality, coming to USF after growing up in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.  

When she first arrived at USF for her undergraduate studies, Katunzi had no plans to study tourism. “Tanzania is well known for its wildlife, rich culture and its stunning landscapes, so I’ve always had an interest in tourism,” Katunzi says. “But I did not think it was possible for tourism to be a huge career industry outside the world I knew.” Moving to Florida gave Katunzi a different perspective. Katunzi notes, “I have learned that hospitality goes beyond hotels and restaurants. It’s the foundation of how we experience the world.”  

By taking electives outside of her major in biology, Katunzi developed a different perspective on the role tourism and hospitality can play in helping an economy flourish and how tourism encompasses many different industries. “With the right type of infrastructure, anything can become an asset to a community,” she says. “Tanzania does not have a shortage of resources; however, it was the lack of proper infrastructure in the hospitality and tourism industry that motivated me to pursue this area of study.”  

Katunzi notes that there were two courses at USF that changed the trajectory of her studies and gave her the courage to pursue her master’s degree. The first class was Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management course taught by Allen Clary. Clary is the executive director of the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship. “Every Wednesday evening, he would bring a guest speaker, and they talked to us about their journey in entrepreneurship,” Katunzi explains. “It helped me envision the possibilities.” 

The second course was sustainable Tourism Practices with Dr. Brooke Hansen. “Her class taught me that my work in biology could be an asset in tourism,” Katunzi says. “I was able to envision all of the potential in the tourism industry that could be implemented in Tanzania’s rural areas.”   

Katunzi admits that she was nervous to pursue tourism and hospitality as it was not part of the plan she had outlined for her life. “We students—especially international students—can sometimes feel that we cannot change our minds and have to stick to the plan,” Katunzi says. “But we can change our minds. The Entrepreneurship class gave me the confidence to stand firm on my decision.” By Fall 2024, she had the courage to apply for the master’s program with the blessing of her family.  

After completing her undergraduate studies at USF, Katunzi began her a master’s in Tourism and Hospitality degree. “It was vital to be in an environment where I would continue to grow,” Katunzi explains. “USF offers access to world-class professors, whose work is fascinating. There’s so much left to learn.”  

During the Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management course with Clary, Katunzi started thinking about how to combine her love of tourism and hospitality with her passion for economics. This is where the seed for the Hospitality and Visionary Voices Series was born. After being elected as President of the Hospitality & Tourism Student Club, Katunzi began to make her vision for the event a reality.  

In assembling the first panel in the series, Katunzi merged tourism, economics and education in an event titled “Tampa 2035: Shaping the Next Economy; Where Do You Fit In?” She secured prominent panelists including Santiago Corrada, President & CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, Craig Richard, President & CEO of Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, and Jon A. Kaupla, Associate Dean & Executive Director, Center for Executive and Leadership Education, USF Muma College of Business.  It was moderated by Allen Clary. “I didn’t fully realize the gravity of what I was organizing,” Katunzi says. “I was just so excited.” Bringing together community members, business owners, local leadership, USF students, and faculty, the panel was a resounding success. 

The panelists discussed what the next ten years in Tampa Bay would look like, and Katunzi noted how reassuring and inspiring it was to hear their vision. “The reason why I kept the conversation local is because I have learned so much about the Tampa Bay region,” Katunzi says. “The best part is that USF is at the heartbeat of this…before the panel, I already viewed Tampa Bay in a positive light,” Katunzi explains. “But after? I realized this place is a goldmine with many opportunities in various sectors. It’s incredible.”  

“I now want to remain in Tampa as it’s a thriving community. Why shouldn't I jump on that opportunity?” Katunzi says. “When I think about the American dream, I feel like mine is in Tampa.”