SUNCOAST CHAPTER
Scholarships
The application process is now closed
January 15, 2025 — March 1, 2025
2025 Scholarship Recipients
We're thrilled to congratulate this year's 2025 Suncoast Scholarship recipients—an inspiring group of students recognized for their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to making a difference. Their hard work and dedication truly set them apart, and we can’t wait to see all they accomplish in the future!
Andrea Fonseca
University of Florida
BOB BEHRENS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Madison Cepero
Florida International University
Thalia Curbelo Osoria
University of Puerto Rico – Arecibo
Suhamy N. Figueroa Luciano
University of Puerto Rico – Arecibo
Ivanna Hilewsky
Florida International University
Maia Marabotto
Miami Dade College
Ingrid Paucar
Florida International University
Paola N. Santiago Berrocal
University of Puerto Rico – Arecibo
Isabelle Vieira Greiner
University of Florida
Dwayn L. Perez Centeno
University of Puerto Rico – Arecibo
This year, the Suncoast Chapter awarded Andrea Fonseca the Bob Behrens Scholarship, a special award given to a student who embodies enterprising journalism and innovation in the industry. Andrea’s accomplishments, passion for advocacy, and willingness to help others, have earned her respect among her peers. Her professors characterize her as intelligent and inquisitive and her impressive work ethic both inside and beyond the classroom positions her among a select few.
The Suncoast Chapter is pleased to honor the legacy and carry on the mission of former Suncoast Chapter Executive Director, Bob Behrens, who was dedicated to fostering excellence in journalism through philanthropic efforts.
Notably, prior to his death, Bob Behrens was committed to assisting students. It was his vision for the Chapter to award scholarships to deserving students of communication and/ or broadcasting in the Suncoast region each year. In continuing his legacy, the Suncoast Chapter offers scholarships to graduating high school seniors and to college and university students who reside within the Suncoast Region, which includes the State of Florida, the State of Louisiana, the Mobile–Pensacola Market area, and Puerto Rico.
To be eligible, students must plan to attend or currently attend a four-year college or university in the Suncoast Region and must have a declared major in Communications/Broadcasting with a concentration in television.
Since 2014, our chapter has awarded over Seven hundred fifty thousand dollars in scholarship funds.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must reside within the SUNCOAST REGION that includes the State of Florida, the State of Louisiana, the Mobile–Pensacola Market area and Puerto Rico and MUST plan to attend or currently attend an accredited college or university in the SUNCOAST REGION.
- Be a high school graduating senior or a college student (undergraduate student ONLY) with a declared major in Communications/Broadcasting with a concentration in television.
- Applicant MUST already be accepted to a college/university.
- Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Submit an unofficial transcript.
- Submit a resume along with the application.
- Submit a one-page bio.
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Submit one of the two essay questions below (250 to 350 words):
- As audience content consumption via mobile devices continues to increase, a "mobile-first" content strategy is rapidly gaining traction. Explore what this trend means for the broadcast industry in terms of content planning, production techniques and distribution strategies as they aim to reach wider audiences.
- Audiences seek personalized and multi-platform experiences now more than ever. How do you think broadcasters can leverage the vast amount of available data to produce personalized content and what will this continued trend mean for the broadcast industry as a whole?
- Share links for two projects you’ve worked on along with a brief description of what your role was on each project.