“My Dream Job:” Cosmopolitan Magazine Executive Inspires Students in UFCJC Visit
After Alexandra Whittaker shared which celebrities she’s interviewed and said she would be in London days later to cover the 2025 BRIT awards, an awestruck journalism student shouted, “You are living my dream life.”
Midway through another class, an excited student told the speaker, “You have my dream job.”
Whittaker, recently named executive site director of Cosmopolitan magazine’s website, met with students and instructors in several classes during a recent three-day visit at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC).
Whittaker, who not only manages the website, but also all of Cosmo’s news and entertainment coverage, shared how she works with writers and editors to produce a wide range of stories – and always with an eye on strategy, growth and audience development.
“Clear is kind,” she told students in an editing class, while discussing how to give firm but reassuring feedback to a reporter or writer struggling with a story.
She joined students in a discussion of Cosmo’s coverage of women’s sports and spoke with many others in magazine and feature writing, fashion writing, reporting and principles of journalism classes. She also visited with students at The Agency, the college’s Gen Z-focused strategic communications firm, and with the editors and staff of Atrium, a student-operated narrative/literary nonfiction publication.
“You’re incredibly personable, and we really appreciate the time you’ve taken to show our magazine staff (and the J-school at-large) some love,” Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, a UFCJC journalism senior and Atrium’s editor in chief, wrote to Whittaker afterward.
A native of Naperville, Illinois, making her first visit to the state of Florida, Whittaker was a student of UFCJC Senior Lecturer Herbert Lowe when he was a professional in residence at Marquette University. She went on to earn a master’s degree from Northwestern University.
“I knew upon inviting Alexandra to our college that many students would find her insightful and inspiring,” Lowe said. “However, I underestimated just how much, and how many of our students not only want a career in magazines, but are eager for one as notable as hers. I’m thrilled they got to spend time with her, and hope they make the most of being connected to her.”
After helping to lead Cosmo’s coverage of the 2025 Academy Awards ceremony, Whittaker sent an email to everyone at UFCJC, thanking them for welcoming her.
“You have some of the brightest and most enthusiastic students I’ve had the pleasure of working with (though I’m sure you’re well aware of that),” she wrote.
Category: College News, Student News
Tagged: Alexandra Whittaker Cosmopolitan Magazine Herbert Lowe Journalism
Subscribe to our News Digest
