meet alex
Alexandra Whitbeck was born and raised in Freehold, N.Y., a small hamlet without a stoplight in Upstate New York. Upon graduating from high school in 2017, she accepted a President’s Scholarship to attend Hofstra University where she majored in journalism and minored in political science. In her first three years at Hofstra University, she focused on undergraduate studies and became involved with 88.7FM WRHU hosting and producing both long-format investigative shows for Getting To The Root and live music hours, as well as serving as managing editor of Pulse Magazine: The Water Edition and holding numerous internships with outlets like The Long Island Herald. She also was employed as a resort waitress during the summer or in Hofstra University’s Alumni Affairs Office as an assistant during the school year. Once beginning graduate studies in her senior year as apart of the dual-degree program, she began working on her capstone project- Sex Work After Gilgo, a three part audio series looking into the impact on vulnerable populations through a true crime lens. This podcast spurred additional radio opportunities with 99.5FM WBAI based in the N.Y Metropolitan area. She received awards for and spoke on panels about the project. She since moved to Barnwell, S.C. after graduation to work for The People-Sentinel, a hyper-local newspaper serving a region historically in a news desert. Upon taking this role, Alex has aided in doubling readership through in-depth and thorough reporting with a variety of coverage, managing digital advertising, social media operation, video & audio production, and much more.
Alex’s passion for journalism began with admiring her hometown newspaper, The Pioneer, in Greenville, N.Y., which has since sold to a media conglomerate. Both journalists were constantly writing about need-to-know areas of municipal and school operations that many did not get to see. They kept a rural area informed and showed people the value of having a local news source that lives in and cares for the community. Seeing this in action spurred Alex’s passion to provide up-to-date information in regions that often are forgotten by major networks and cover stories that no one else is talking about.
Experience
the people-sentinel, barnwell, s.c. — reporter/digital content manager
May 2022 - Present
Responsibilities:
Reporting on 4-5 stories/topics for each week’s newspaper. Building sources within the community and becoming a trusted, reliable outlet for local news and events.
Covering municipal council & government committee, school board, non-profit organization meetings on a monthly basis. Dissecting and disseminating information from council packets, minutes, financial reports, and agendas. Follow up articles on various elements discussed at each meeting for a stand-alone, in-depth story in addition to an overall update on meeting activity.
Searching for human interest stories and conducting interviews.
Producing 5-6 stories a week.
Complete video production for weekly, one minute, news highlight videos, sit-down two-camera interviews, and videos showcasing event coverage posted to social media.
Videos created by Whitbeck have reached over 100,000 views and thousands of social media shares and comments.
On average, videos yield 3,000 to 8,000 views weekly on The People-Sentinel Facebook page and website.
Working in conjunction with the advertising representatives, graphic designer, and other staff members to ensure a weekly edition in both print and digital.
Managing digital advertising for The People-Sentinel website using Google Ad Manager.
Whitbeck was responsible for figuring out the best digital advertising practices and efficient implementation.
Using equipment such as Nikon cameras, Zoom 44n Recorders, Rhode microphones, tripod set-ups, and more.
Assisting with information gathering, article writing, and photography for the newspaper’s annual county guide, Faces & Places.
Since being in this position, Whitbeck has aided and assisted in growing revenue for and interest in the newspaper such as establishing digital advertising on the newspaper’s website.
Circulation & subscribers have increased across Barnwell & Allendale counties.
Social media following has increased
The introduction of digital advertisements and working alongside our advertising director has increased advertisers and ad sales, as well as offered new ad packages for advertisers.
Covered more in-depth topics such as EMS issues, animal welfare, law enforcement corruption, municipal corruption/financial misconduct, and many other areas impacting rural regions.
*Alexandra Whitbeck was named the 2023 Weekly Journalist of the Year by the S.C. Press Association (SCPA) for her work with The People-Sentinel, in addition to 13 other SCPA awards for reporting, photography, social media, and video. She received eight 2022 SCPA awards for photography, reporting, and video in her first six months of employment.
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‘sex work after gilgo’ podcast, hempstead, n.y.— creator/producer/reporter
December 2020- December 2021
‘Sex Work After Gilgo’ is a three-part investigative audio series looking at the impact on vulnerable populations in the realm of law enforcement, politics, and society after a traumatic event. To dive into this topic, Alexandra focused on the impact on sex work and sex workers after remains were found on Gilgo Beach, Long Island in 2010 and 2011. Through interviews with law enforcement officials, sex workers advocates, journalists who reported on the case, victim’s attorneys, legislators, and witnesses of police brutality linked to the case, Sex Work After Gilgo looks into the corruption within Suffolk County law enforcement and government that halted the case from find answers for over a decade. It asks why were these women not brought justice for so long. Although there has been a recent arrest in the case as of 2023, many of the questions circulating this decade long saga still remain.
Sex Work After Gilgo was a 2021 Capstone Project for Hofstra University. It received high praise from the panel of educators tasked with dissecting projects. This was the first audio series ever presented as a Capstone Project at Hofstra University’s MA Journalism program.
Responsibilities:
Creation and conceptualization of the idea.
Quote: “I really wanted to tell a part of this case from a different angle. Due to the Long Island Serial Killer or the Gilgo Beach Murders becoming unfortunately sensationalized, I wanted to shed light on why murderers target sex workers and ask why so much corruption was present in a case involving a vulnerable population.”
Research into the case.
Conducting off-record interviews for background.
Developing sources amidst an ongoing investigation. Building contacts through existing sources.
Quote: “Finding sources wiling to speak to me was difficult at first, but once I began speaking with one, they would lead me to another. It required developing a level of trust with each one that I had the privilege of making. Some were weary to comment on the topic, but each voice heard in the series had a direct link to the case they could speak to.”
Scheduling, conducting, and recording interviews for podcast format.
Podcast production, editing using Adobe Audition.
Narrative script writing and recording.
Promotion around air dates & publication on The Long Island Advocate.
Aired on April 15th, 22nd, and 29th of 2022 on 99.5FM WBAI.
Aired in early 2022 on 88.7FM WRHU.
Aired in early 2022 on 91.3 FM WIOX.
Maintaining sources years after the initial podcast was published as the case continues to develop.
*Alexandra Whitbeck was awarded an Investigative Podcasting Gracie Award by the Alliance for Women in Media in 2022 for her work creating ‘Sex Work After Gilgo.’ She has spoken on numerous radio shows about her work creating this podcast and her thoughts on the case.
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the long island advocate, hempstead, n.y. — reporter
September 2018 - January 2022
The Long Island Advocate is a showcase of journalism and digital media content produced by students at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. It is part of the Herbert School’s commitment to community journalism — to building partnerships with and exploring the complex issues of the suburban communities around Hofstra, particularly in underserved communities.
Responsibilities:
Weekly meeting with editors and collaborations with fellow journalists.
Tasked with searching for hyperlocal stories otherwise not being told.
Reported on numerous stories about large issues impacting Long Islanders.
Published a story on the impact of opioid use and the ongoing opioid epidemic on the academic success of children who were exposed to usage at a young age.
*Alexandra Whitbeck was awarded the Robert W. Greene Public Service Award alongside other members in a news team for a 2021 series published in The Long Island Advocate about the opioid crisis on Long Island.
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88.7 fm wrhu’s getting to the root, hempstead, N.y. — executive producer/host/reporter
September 2019 to January 2022
Getting To The Root (GTTR) is a long-format, investigative podcast aired weekly on 88.7FM WRHU from Hempstead, New York. Each week, voices from varying communities on Long Island share their story, while the host dives into the societal contexts at play. Hour long episodes discover different stories of impact across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Responsibilities:
Conducted weekly interviews, engineered audio recording, scripted & recorded host narrative, produced each hour long episode, & worked with station engineers to air segments.
Managed the social media & announcements of each weekly episode.
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pulse magazine: the water edition, nassau & suffolk counties, n.y. — managing editor
January 2020 - May 2020
Pulse Magazine: The Water Edition was published in Spring 2020. The edition of Pulse, a semiannual magazine that focuses on issues impacting Long Islanders, looked into our water use and how Long Island manages their limited water supply.
Responsibilities:
Conducting interviews and writing feature stories highlighting two water activists on Long Island.
Assisted other staff members with the creation of their articles from interviewing to writing.
Oversight and assistance to staff members with interviews, writing quality, and topic adherence.
Oversight of page design and layout via Adobe InDesign.
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long island herald: Freeport & Baldwin, nassau & suffolk county, N.y. — intern reporter
May 2020 - September 2020
Herald Community Newspapers is a group of 23 community newspapers throughout Long Island's Nassau County, as well as papers in the New York City boroughs of Queens and the Bronx. It's hyperlocal, with reporters on the ground in nearly two-dozen communities.
Responsibilities:
Reporting on assigned topics in the Freeport and Baldwin newspapers- both towns in Nassau County, Long Island, N.Y.
Meeting weekly with editors from both newspapers to discuss upcoming and ongoing projects.
Interviewing varying sources across Long Island for stories.
Covered immigration advocacy efforts across Nassau & Suffolk Counties as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local business sectors.
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the columbia paper, columbia county N.y. — intern reporter
January 2015 - Present
Responsibilities:
Weekly meetings with the editor to discuss upcoming and ongoing projects.
Covering various events in Columbia County.
Assisting in the weekly review process before printing.
Producing two-three stories per week.
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hofstra university, alumni office — graduate assistant
January 2021 - January 2022
Responsibilities:
Managed social media posts and accounts for the Alumni Affairs Office regarding upcoming events and initiatives.
Contacted alumni and wrote weekly profiles to be published on the web & social media as an alumni spotlight.
Coordinated interoffice communication between the director and managers of projects/sectors.
Kept track of alumni database for B.A. and M.A. graduates.
Assisted the director in numerous projects and initiatives, all adapted due to COVID-19.
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hofstra university, alumni office — undergraduate assistant
October 2017 - May 2021
Responsibilities:
Receptionist duties such as phone operation, managing the front desk, customer service, alumni aid, and interoffice communications.
Assisted in preparation for numerous events.
Picked up on-campus mail twice daily.
Organized the office as needed.
Complete restructure of the alumni library.
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the greenville pioneer, greenville, N.y. — intern reporter
September 2016 - May 2017
Responsibilities:
Covered in-school events and in-county veteran affairs.
Weekly meetings with the editor to discuss ongoing and upcoming projects.
Interviewing students to see what they wanted in their local newspaper.
Producing one-two stories per month.
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baumann’s brookside, greenville, n.y.— waitress
May 2013 - October 2021
Baumann’s Brookside (BB) first opened its doors over 100 years ago as a summer resort catering to families and all ages. Whitbeck first started at BB as a dishwasher, quickly advanced to head dishwasher, waitress, and then head waitress during her tenure. Responsibilities included staff coordination & oversight, dining room operation & management, customer service, and more. In addition to her daily tasks, Whitbeck also hosted numerous events at the resort such as bingo three times a week and horse races, a game-like version of horse track gambling.
volunteering
Animal Advocates of Barnwell County
Board Member
Joined March 2023.
Oversight of general policy for the Friends for Life Rescue & Pick of the Litter Shoppe.
Head of the grant committee: Primary task is finding & writing grants for the non-profit entity.
Board Member
Joined September 2023.
Oversight of general policy of the county operated facility.
Fundraising coordinator: Planning quarterly fundraisers to benefit the animals in the shelter’s care.
Quote: “The first fundraiser I spearheaded for the shelter was the ‘For the Love of Pets’ initiative, which raised $1,900 and many animal food items through coordination with location businesses to sell $1 hearts to be displayed in their business during the month of February 2024.”
Schedules & creates posts for social media initiatives.
Adoption events/adoptable animals, vaccine clinics, educational material, fundraisers, etc.
Routinely takes portraits of adoptable dogs to post on social media in hopes of adoption.
Gold Award Girl Scout
Joined 2005. Troop 1616 of Greenville, N.Y.
Achieved Bronze, Silver, & Gold Awards.
Gold Award Project: A 100 service hour project to be completed in your last year of scouts as a Cadet. Whitbeck held a transitional event for fifth grade students moving from Scott M. Ellis Elementary School into the sixth grade located within Greenville High School. Included navigation of hallways, a locker opening seminar, lunch room tours, etc. Raised funds to print booklets with meet the teacher & faculty guides, a map to the school, tips & tricks to get to class on time, and more.
Countless service projects throughout the 10+ years Whitbeck was involved, such as a bra drive for women in underdeveloped regions.
PANELS & CONFERENCES
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Media Annual Midwinter Conference
March 2022, University of Oklahoma.
Alexandra Whitbeck was invited to speak on the Building the Next Generation of Community and Investigative Journalists panel about her experience investigating the social, legal, and political impact on vulnerable populations when tragedies occur, with a focus on sex work after the Gilgo Beach Murders.
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New York State Communications Association
79th Annual Conference
October 2021, Callicoon, N.Y.
Alexandra Whitbeck was invited to speak on a panel about her work with developing a long-format story dealing with a sensitive topic, such as the decade-old murder of eight sex workers on Long Island. She explained how she began developing sources and building a new idea around an ever-evolving case.
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Alumni Journalism Success Panel
Online, February 2023.
Alexandra Whitbeck was asked to speak to Hofstra University graduate and undergraduate journalism students about entering a career after college, tips for building sources, and general advice from a working journalist.
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Blackville, S.C., March 2024
Alexandra Whitbeck was asked to speak to three sessions of high school students about the college process, navigating financial aid, life skills, and the impact and variety of local journalism.
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S.C. Press Association Collegiate Meeting and Awards
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, S.C. April 2024
Alexandra Whitbeck was invited to speak on a panel about getting internships and a first job out of college to collegiate journalists.
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S.C. Press Association’s FOIA Roundtable
South Carolina State Library, Columbia, S.C. July 2024.
Alexandra Whitbeck spoke alongside Matthew Hensley, editor of The Post and Courier Spartanburg; Gina Smith, regional projects editor for The State, The Island Packet, The Sun News and Beaufort Gazette and Founder of SC Investigates; and SCPA Attorney Taylor Smith about the importance of FOIA in S.C.
Features
88.7FM WRHU NewsBreak: Whitbeck was asked to speak to WRHU producers about her podcast, Sex Work After Gilgo, when an arrest was made in the decade-old murder case.
The People-Sentinel team was highlighted in a story about informing rural voters by The Post and Courier.
Whitbeck and The People-Sentinel were featured in the 2023 edition of The Raw Society showcasing their strides in rural reporting and the importance of local coverage.
99.5 FM WBAI based in the larger N.Y.C area first aired all three parts of Whitbeck’s podcast, ‘Sex Work After Gilgo,’ on April, 15th, 22nd, and 29th of 2022. Whitbeck was later asked to return to WBAI’s airwaves to provide a three-part update after an arrest was made in the decade-old case.
Education
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY, long island, n.y.
BACHELOR’S OF ARTS: Communications/Journalism
Graduated with distinction - 3.7 GPA
September 2017- December 2020.
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY, long island, n.y.
MASTER’S OF ARTS: Journalism
Graduated with distinction - 3.8 GPA
September 2020-January 2022.