Gracie Pekarcik serves as the study abroad coordinator for the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Pekarcik earned her master's degree in agricultural leadership, education and communication from the University of Tennessee in 2022. She received her bachelor's degree in community, environment, and development from Pennsylvania State University.

Pekarcik's international experience includes time teaching, studying, and interning in Cambodia, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, and Peru. She is committed to the fostering of participatory practices and sustainable resource management to address global issues related to agriculture and food security.

To do this, Pekarcik believes there is a distinct need to bridge gaps between communities, cultures, and disciplines to better understand one another and work together to assure our world can provide for current and future generations. She views study abroad as a key path forward toward achieving these goals and increasing the cross-cultural capacity and global mindset of the next generation.