MSP Ortiz Mind and Heart Scholarship

2024-2025 Academic Year Award

An award-winning television reporter for KMEX – 34 Univision Los Angeles, Julio Cesar Ortiz is a well-known and respected journalist in the television broadcast community. He is also a proud CSUN alumnus, where he earned a double-major bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications studies, as an immigrant, and the only one in his family to attend college.

At CSUN, Julio founded the first-ever, 30 minute, weekly Spanish newscast in the California State University system. From there his heart was set on becoming a television reporter to serve the Spanish-Speaking community-a goal he achieved. Julio’s new stories and his involvement with the immigrant community have been recognized at local, state, and national levels. He has been nominated for 44 Emmys and received 21. For two consecutive years, Julio received the Edward Murrow Regional Award for best writer. His achievements also include being the first Mexican immigrant journalist to receive two consecutive Associated Press awards for writer of the year in the western United States.

Julio’s stories have taken him from Los Angeles to Phoenix, to the towns on the U.S/Mexican border and into the heart of Mexico where immigration to the U.S. has taken its toll. Motivated by the social and economic challenges faced by the immigrant community, he attained a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy form the University of Southern California and will specialize in treating mental disorders as a consequence of acculturation and migration within the Hispanic community. Include launching a bi-weekly segment on mental health to connect the Hispanic community to mental health services on the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. broadcast. Ortiz is currently teaching at CSUN, where he focuses on students’ journalism growth by exposing them to ""real time"" reporting scenarios.

This scholarship is open to students who have an approved California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request (AB 540 Affidavit) and a completed CA Dream Act Application on file, and whom can demonstrates scholastic achievement, exceptional leadership and community service involvement. (1) annual scholarship will be awarded to a selected applicant.

  • Priority will be given to students majoring in Journalism and/or enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program.



Eligibility Requirements:

  • Open to continuing matriculated CSUN undergraduate students.
  • Undergraduate students must have a CSUN GPA of at least 3.25.
  • Have a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) on file for the upcoming academic year. The application to apply is located https://dream.csac.ca.gov/
  • Undergraduate students must enroll in 12 units or more during the Fall & Spring terms of the award year.
    Any change to your eligibility status in any term within the award year will result in a cancellation of your award.
  • Must demonstrate scholastic achievement, exceptional leadership and participation in community service.
  • Must have an approved California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request (AB 540 Affidavit) on file with the University. For information on this process, go to https://www.csun.edu/current-students/records-transcripts/resident
  • Two letter of recommendation must be requested via the _my_Matadors Scholarship portal.
    Letters of recommendation are specific as one must be requested from a *faculty member and the other from a community service organization stating that the students have participated/volunteered in their organization.
  • Must upload a copy of your student resume. A student resume is a detailed record of your personal and educational information. It includes the name of your school/college, coursework, projects (if any) undertaken, and awards. The resume may also contain additional information like your extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, job experiences (if any), hobbies, etc.


Please note:
If you are receiving Financial Aid (including loans), your financial aid award(s) may be adjusted if you receive a scholarship amount that exceeds your financial aid total limit. Speak to a financial aid counselor during walk-in hours to get a detailed overview about your individual situation.

Award
$1,000
Deadline
05/10/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. For priority preference: I am majoring in Journalism
  2. For priority preference: I will be an EOP student for the Fall & Spring terms.
  3. Discuss how your cultural background, family, and/or neighborhood have influenced your desire to pursue a college education.
  4. Why do you believe you deserve the Ortiz Mind and Heart Scholarship award? (Provide examples of your demonstrated scholastic achievement, exceptional leadership and/or participation in community service)
  5. Please upload: A copy of your student resume/CV. A student resume is a detailed record of your personal and educational information. It includes the name of your school/college, coursework, projects (if any) undertaken, and awards. The resume may also contain additional information like your extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, job experiences (if any), hobbies, etc.
  6. Letters of Recommendation:
    • Please request: A letter of recommendation from a Community Service Organization- recommending you for the Ortiz Mind and Heart Scholarship who can attest to your participation and service experience within their community service organization. They may also wish to discuss your personal strengths and assess your potential for academic and career success. The letter should include a signature, title, and contact information. The letter should be addressed to: *Award Selection Committee*.
    • Please request: A letter of recommendation from a faculty member- recommending you for the Ortiz Mind and Heart Scholarship who can attest to your meritorious performance and personal strengths and can assess your potential for academic and career success. The letter should include a signature, title, and contact information. The letter should be addressed to: *Award Selection Committee*
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