University of Florida Student Claudia Masmitja Corujo Awarded 2025 Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship
TL;DR
The Viles & Beckman Foundation's $2,500 scholarship provides Claudia Masmitja Corujo a financial advantage to pursue her healthcare career and leadership development.
The scholarship selection process identified Corujo based on her first-generation background, community leadership roles, and commitment to addressing healthcare disparities through education.
This scholarship supports Corujo's mission to improve healthcare equity for marginalized groups, creating a more compassionate and just healthcare system for future generations.
A Spanish-born student with Cuban roots won the Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship to study how social inequities affect healthcare access.
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The Viles & Beckman Foundation, Inc., in partnership with Viles & Beckman, has selected Claudia Masmitja Corujo as the recipient of the 2025 Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship. This annual scholarship honors Marcus Viles's dedication to improving communities, and Corujo's background and aspirations align closely with this mission. As a University of Florida student majoring in Health Education and Behavior on a Pre-Physician Assistant track, Corujo brings a unique perspective shaped by her international roots and first-generation college experience.
Corujo was born in Spain to a family with deep Cuban heritage and moved to Miami during her childhood. She credits the community there with embracing her multiple identities during a challenging transition, which inspired her to become a source of comfort for others. In her scholarship essay, she explained how this early kindness motivated her to support young people facing similar adjustments. This drive led her to join the First-Generation Leadership Program at university, where she connected with other multicultural, first-generation students seeking guidance and built a robust personal network.
From 2024 to 2025, Corujo served as the Head of Public Relations for the First-Generation Leadership Program, focusing on giving back to the institution that supported her growth. She also partnered with the Member Leadership Program and worked as a substitute teacher with the UF Early Childhood Collaboratory, demonstrating her commitment to educational and community development. The scholarship selection committee noted her consistency and determination, highlighting her exceptional efforts to foster supportive, symbiotic relationships within her community.
The $2,500 scholarship will enable Corujo to continue her studies on how economic disparities and social inequities affect marginalized groups, particularly in healthcare. She plans to pursue a Health Education and Behavior Combined Master's Program after graduation and aims to work in pediatrics or neonatal care. This award not only supports her academic journey but also underscores the importance of investing in students who are dedicated to addressing systemic issues in healthcare and community welfare.
The implications of this scholarship extend beyond individual achievement, emphasizing the role of education in tackling social inequities. By funding students like Corujo, the Viles & Beckman Foundation, Inc. reinforces the value of community-driven initiatives in creating lasting change. For more information on the foundation's efforts, visit https://www.vilesandbeckman.com. This scholarship highlights how supporting first-generation and multicultural students can lead to broader impacts in healthcare and community support systems, benefiting underserved populations and fostering a more equitable society.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
