Ryan Smith portraitRyan Smith

Digital Communications Specialist

PO Box 110400
Gainesville, FL  32611-0400
ryansmith2@ufl.edu

 

Responsibilities

  • Develop social media and digital-media web products that engage Florida Sea Grant’s audiences and increase their literacy of coastal and marine issues. Audiences include state-wide decision makers, resource managers, media, coastal residents, the scientific community and students.
  • Integrate new digital media technologies and design applications to advance FSG’s web, social media, and web-based learning and outreach programming.
  • Assist the Communications team in the production and transfer of digital content, digital media, and web-technologies to FSG-affiliated personnel and programs.
  • Support and publicize Florida Sea Grant research, education, communications and extension programming.

Specialties

Ryan has honed her digital curiosity and craft working within the sectors of marine education, public service, adventure travel, and non-profit communications. For 4 years, she led digital communications strategies as Director of Brand Development and Social Media Coordinator for the student sailing and marine education organization, Sail Caribbean. From 2019-2020, she spearheaded social media and web operations at Sarasota County Government, penned for the international yacht and vacation provider Sunsail, and directed the digital content and web needs of Transition Sarasota, a small non-profit leading local climate action, food waste mitigation and community resilience efforts. In 2021, she joined Florida Sea Grant as digital communications specialist to support conservation work that invests in her favorite state’s future and coastal health.

Education

BA, Public Relations, Pennsylvania State University

BA, French & Francophone Studies, Pennsylvania State University