University of Florida Student Claudia Masmitja Corujo Awarded 2025 Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship
Claudia Masmitja Corujo, a first-generation college student at the University of Florida, received the $2,500 scholarship for her commitment to community support and healthcare equity, continuing Marcus Viles's legacy of community betterment.
The Viles & Beckman Foundation, Inc., in connection 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 commitment to bettering the world around him, and Corujo was chosen by the scholarship selection committee to carry on this legacy.
Corujo is a student at the University of Florida, majoring in Health Education and Behavior on a Pre-PA track. Her scholarship essay detailed her experience as a first-generation college student with an international background, which has shaped her perspective on community and inspired her to support young people seeking assistance. Born in Spain to a family with deep Cuban roots, Corujo moved to Miami as a child, where her family was rapidly integrated into a community that embraced, understood, and celebrated all of her identities.
The kindness I received during that difficult transition inspired me to one day become that source of comfort and familiarity for others, Corujo explained in her essay. This experience influenced her desire to support those around her, leading her to join the First-Generation Leadership Program at college. This program connected her with other multicultural, first-generation students looking for support, helping her grow her personal network and find mentorship opportunities.
From 2024 to 2025, Corujo served as the program's Head of Public Relations, aiming to give back to the institution that had helped her develop. Simultaneously, she partnered with the Member Leadership Program and worked as a substitute teacher with the UF Early Childhood Collaboratory. Her consistency and determination made her an ideal candidate to continue Marcus Viles's legacy, as her essay illustrated her exceptional efforts to connect with others and build supportive relationships.
When asked about the scholarship's impact, Corujo noted that the $2,500 award will aid her studies in how economic disparities and social inequities disproportionately affect marginalized groups, especially in healthcare. She plans to pursue a Health Education and Behavior Combined Master's Program after graduation and intends to work in pediatrics or neonatal care. The scholarship selection committee with Viles & Beckman Foundation, Inc., and Viles & Beckman praised Corujo's compassion and wished her success in her academic journey. For more information, visit https://www.vilesandbeckman.com.