A new scholarship to help low-income students who are Latinx, or from underrepresented communities, graduates from Cabrini University's Media and Communications Department, was announced today at a special ceremony held at Cabrini University's President Office, in Radnor, Pennsylvania.

The news media organization holds promoting diversification of voices in media and digital communication to be one of its core values, and the scholarship is intended to make this a reality in the news media environment of the future. 

The award would give $5,000 to a rising senior who is studying Communications and it will be funded by AL DÍA’s Media Educational Foundation. 

AL DÍA is initially committed to offering this scholarship for the next three academic years. 

Aside from the financial support, the company is also extending to Cabrini students with the opportunity to pursue internships, apprenticeships, and fellowships with the Philadelphia-based news outlet based in Center City Philadelphia.

Founder and CEO Hernán Guaracao has become aware of the potential from students at the Catholic institution located in the Philadelphia suburbs through his time as a member of their board of trustees. 

“The way the media portrays U.S. society is incomplete,” he said explaining his motives behind creating the fund. 

Cabrini President Donald B. Taylor, left, AL DÍA Founder and CEO Hernán Guaracao, right, and AL DIA CFO Elizabeth Guaracao stand with Cabrini senior journalism students America López-Santiago and Sierra Dotson. The AL DIA Scholarship will benefit every year a senior student graduating from the Media and Communications Department of the University. Photo Oscar López/AL DÍA News.

Cabrini has demonstrated a devotion to assisting the Latino community in the past. In 2016, they were named “College of the Year” by the National Hispanic Institute (NHI). 

The university’s President, Ph.D. Donald B. Taylor, aims to make Cabrini a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), a U.S. government category that rewards colleges and universities increasing Latino student enrollment to 25%. He has taken initiatives like working with organizations like NHI and Esperanza, as well as partnering with schools in Latin America. 

“The spirit of the AL DÍA Media Educatioal Foundation Scholars Fund reflects the goal of our founder St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. She insisted that the Cabrini education would link intellectual confidence with moral development while instilling a special concern for those persons who are in need,” said Taylor at the ceremony for the scholarship. 

The school in Radnor, PA, was also named after the first naturalized American citizen saint, Mother Frances Cabrini. 

Their chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) also helps students of Hispanic descent network and gain valuable skills to have success in the business world when they graduate college.

Jose Rodriguez, the university’s chief diversity officer, also spoke at the event to express his gratitude for a fund that will help students be able to finish their college degrees. 

“I talk with many students from underrepresented communities every day as I’ve learned to connect them with resources they need to succeed. The fund will enable us to put words into action with real and concrete support for students,” he said.