Alumna Leads Digital Direction on Florida’s Tribune Newspapers

The next time you check out the Orlando Sentinel or the South Florida Sun Sentinel, you are guaranteed that it has the visual touch of a Knight. On June 5, 2013, Julie Anderson, ’84, ’89, was appointed as the vice president of digital publishing for Tribune’s two Florida newspapers. She credits her experience at UCF and her drive to become a journalist for her success in the digital publishing business.

During her days as a UCF Knight, some of her most treasured memories include attending home football games on Saturday nights and working on the student newspaper with lifelong friends. Anderson got her bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1984, and then came back to the university to pursue her master’s degree in political science in order to become a political reporter. Even though she didn’t become a political reporter, her studies in political science ultimately rounded out her liberal arts studies and contributed to her journalism career.

Anderson received a solid academic foundation at UCF and practical experience as an editor of the Central Florida Future, the university’s student newspaper. These experiences helped her prepare for working in the newspaper industry; however she did not anticipate a factor that would greatly alter her career path: the Internet.

“I became involved in Orlando Sentinel’s first online ventures in the early [1990s] and advanced to many interesting positions that were never anticipated in any college curriculum. But UCF professors taught me to be open-minded and intellectually curious, which served me well as I navigated uncharted waters,” said Anderson.

In her new role, Anderson oversees four aspects of digital publishing – content development, audience development, product development and revenue development for Tribune’s two Florida newspapers, the Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun-Sentinel, including OrlandoSentinel.com, SunSentinel.com and all related websites and platforms.

Since graduating from UCF, Anderson has stayed connected to the university by serving on the Board of Visitors of the UCF Nicholson School of Communication along with four of her previous fellow Future staffers. In addition, several of her previous fellow Future staffers later became professional colleagues. Based on this, she offered this note for current students.

“The best piece of advice I can give college students is to join a student organization outside of class. Make friends. Stay in touch. College ties matter,” said Anderson.

Anderson keeps her writing fresh and light on her blog Grow Make Give, for which she is also the founder. This online blog focuses on gardening, organics and small farms, in addition to covering homemade natural recipes and natural skin care. To view the blog, visit growmakegive.com.