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.
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 scholarship honors Marcus Viles's dedication to improving communities and recognizes students who demonstrate similar commitment to community growth and support.
Corujo, a University of Florida student majoring in Health Education and Behavior on a Pre-Physician Assistant track, stood out for her compelling essay detailing her experiences as a first-generation college student with an international background. Her personal journey has significantly shaped her perspective on community and inspired her dedication to supporting young people seeking guidance and assistance.
Born in Spain to a family with deep Cuban roots, Corujo moved to Miami during her childhood. She describes being rapidly integrated into a community that embraced, understood, and celebrated all aspects of her identity. This formative experience during a challenging transition period inspired her commitment to becoming a source of comfort and familiarity for others facing similar circumstances.
During her college years, Corujo joined the First-Generation Leadership Program, connecting with other multicultural, first-generation students seeking support and community. Her involvement with the program demonstrated her growing leadership capabilities, culminating in her serving as Head of Public Relations from 2024 to 2025. This position allowed her to give back to the institution that had supported her own growth and development.
Simultaneously, Corujo partnered with the Member Leadership Program and began working as a substitute teacher with the UF Early Childhood Collaboratory, further expanding her experience in educational support and community engagement. Her consistent dedication and determination made her the ideal candidate to carry forward Marcus Viles' legacy of community betterment.
The $2,500 scholarship will significantly impact Corujo's educational journey, enabling her to continue studying how economic disparities and social inequities disproportionately affect marginalized groups, particularly in healthcare settings. This financial support comes at a crucial time as she plans to pursue a Health Education and Behavior Combined Master's Program upon graduation, with career aspirations in pediatrics or neonatal care.
The scholarship selection committee from Viles & Beckman Foundation, Inc., and Viles & Beckman recognized Corujo's exceptional compassion and community-oriented mindset. The Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship represents more than financial assistance—it signifies an investment in future leaders who embody the values of community support and educational empowerment that defined Marcus Viles's vision.
For more information about the foundation's initiatives, visit https://www.vilesandbeckman.com. The scholarship program continues to identify and support students who demonstrate both academic promise and a genuine commitment to making positive contributions to their communities, ensuring that Marcus Viles's legacy of community growth and support endures through future generations of leaders.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release