The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) has announced its 2026 scholarship recipients, awarding a record six students in a single year. Since the program’s launch in 2022, HPRA has granted 20 scholarships totaling $50,000. This year’s class includes the organization’s first high school senior recipient, signaling an intentional push to reach emerging talent earlier in their academic journeys. The expansion reflects HPRA’s broader commitment to creating greater access to opportunity and strengthening the pipeline of diverse professionals entering public relations, communications, marketing and related fields.
The 2026 recipients are Camila Garcia Chirino (University of Florida), Isabelle Flores (The University of Texas at Austin), Luis David Latozefsky (Stetson University), Melanie Herrera (Florida International University), Nasaiah Algarin (American University) and Xavier Ramirez (University of Southern California). They were selected for academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and a demonstrated commitment to communications. Their interests span public relations, strategic communications, public affairs, entertainment and media, civic engagement and social impact—areas where diverse voices are urgently needed as the industry evolves.
“The growth of this program is something our leadership is deeply proud of because it reflects what is possible when our industry invests intentionally in the next generation,” said HPRA National President Sonia V. Diaz. “With the support of partners like Aflac and H+M Communications, as well as individual donors, we have been able to expand our reach, open more doors, increase mentorship opportunities, and continue building a program that can make a meaningful impact in communities across the country.”
Beyond financial support, recipients gain access to HPRA’s national network through mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities and direct exposure to industry leaders. They will also receive free access to HPRA National webinars and events, a mentorship and shadowing opportunity with a board member, and recognition at HPRA’s annual ¡BRAVO! Awards gala on Nov. 19, 2026, at the LA River Center and Gardens in Los Angeles. These benefits are designed to convert a one-time award into a lasting career catalyst, addressing the persistent gap between academic training and professional advancement for Hispanic communicators.
Among the honorees, Melanie Herrera of Florida International University will receive the Roshana Gossoff Memorial Scholarship, a $1,500 award for an FIU undergraduate demonstrating a strong interest in public relations and communications. The scholarship honors Roshana Gossoff, a beloved communicator, FIU alumna and former HPRA Miami officer whose passion and dedication left a lasting mark on South Florida. Herrera’s selection underscores how the program weaves personal legacy into its broader mission.
This year’s program theme, “Legacy in Motion,” honors HPRA’s history and the leaders shaping each generation of communicators. The scholarship is one expression of that legacy: investing in emerging talent, creating greater access and ensuring that progress built over more than four decades continues forward. As HPRA marks this record-setting class, first reported via NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE, the organization demonstrates that intentional investment in diverse students can yield measurable growth and a more representative communications workforce.
