Alumni Profiles

By Lenore Devore, B.S. Journalism 1984 When the NCAA changed its rules to allow students to use their name, image and likeness (NIL), University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) alumnae Leah Clapper, B.S. Advertising 2021 and M.A.M.C. 2022, wanted to figure out how to capitalize on her…

Bonnie Katz, B.S. Telecommunication 2018, is Brand Marketing Manager for NBC News. "The secret sauce at CJC of instruction and immersion experiences really over-prepared me for the workforce."

Photojournalist Essdras Suarez: "I tend to simply run to the chaos with cameras in hand, for it is who I am.”

Nicole Weltman, B.S. Advertising 2008, is Head of Social for Taco Bell and adjunct instructor in CJC's Online Master's program.

Tonya Cornileus, B.S. Telecommunication 1985 and Hall of Fame 2022, is VP of Development, Inclusion and Wellness at ESPN.

Mary Loftus, B.S. Journalism 1988, is Senior Manager, Health Sciences Content at EYP and Editor, Emory Medicine at Emory University.

Eliot Kleinman, B.S. Journalism 1978, was a reporter with the Palm Beach Post for more than 30 years.

B.J. Terhune, B.S. Journalism 2013, is Assistant Managing Editor for News at the Los Angeles Times.

A conversation with the former CJC Journalism Department Chair and UF administrator, now Chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. “As individuals and educators, we have a responsibility to commit ourselves to lifelong learning.”

Kim Guiler, B.S. Public Relations and B.A. Political Science and Government 2008 is a Middle East and North Africa Public Opinion Analyst with the U.S. Department of State

Stacey Russo, B.S. Public Relations 1998, is Director of Sales at Lumen Technologies.

David Bearman, B.S. Telecommunication 2001, is Deputy Editor of Sports Betting for ESPN.