National A-Mark Scholarship Recognizes Bilingual Journalism Graduate Student

Maria Camila Sanjuan Chamorro, a graduate student at the University of Arizona School of Journalism, has been awarded an A-Mark Foundation Journalism Master’s Scholarship, a national honor recognizing students interested in investigative reporting.

For Sanjuan Chamorro, a Colombia native, the scholarship represents recognition of her decision to pursue journalism education in the United States.

“What makes this scholarship so meaningful to me is the feeling of being recognized for the path I’ve chosen and the work I’ve put into getting to the U.S.,” she said. “I changed careers and moved to another country, so this award from A-Mark makes me feel like I’m moving in the right direction.”

Sanjuan Chamorro earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Colombia before coming to Arizona to pursue an M.A. in bilingual journalism. Her legal education introduced her to the ways institutions operate and how decisions made by people in positions of power impact individuals and communities.

“I realized I was more curious about the stories and people behind the cases and how to explain complicated information in a way that makes sense to the public,” she said. “Journalism lets me ask questions and look at important issues in a new way.”

Sanjuan Chamorro is particularly interested in public-interest reporting and connecting people with information they need to understand issues directly affecting them. Whether through written stories or multimedia projects, she believes journalism should be well-researched and accessible to its audience.

“I want to use Spanish and English to build connections across communities and bring greater attention to people, experiences and issues that may not always receive the coverage they deserve,” she said. 

In addition to her studies in the Bilingual Journalism Program, Sanjuan Chamorro serves as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and as social media coordinator for the university’s chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

She hopes to remain in journalism after earning her degree, bringing her law education into her work by covering public affairs and working in audience engagement roles to make sure information reaches the people who need it most. 

“This scholarship will make a real difference by allowing me to focus on my journalism studies and my graduate capstone project,” Sanjuan Chamorro said. “What I’ll remember most is the feeling of knowing there are people who believe in what I’m trying to build.”

The A-Mark Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that supports investigative journalism nationwide through its annual scholarships, A-Mark Prizes for Investigative Reporting and A-Mark Student Journalism Awards for community college students.