October 6, 2025 – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is excited to announce the winners of the 2025 Excelencia Awards, recognizing outstanding journalists and partners whose leadership, service, and impact advance our community and the broader news industry.
The honorees are Mireya Villarreal (National Latina Journalist of the Year), Brunella Tipismana (National Student of the Year), Jim Acosta (Ñ Legacy Award), Charo Henríquez (Spirit of NAHJ Award), and JPMorganChase (Corporate Impact Award).
Presenting sponsor Comcast NBCUniversal will host the awards ceremony at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
“Every ticket to the NAHJ Excelencia Awards goes directly to support the next generation of Latino journalists through scholarships, mentorship and year-round training programs,” said NAHJ Executive Director Yaneth Guillén-Díaz. “It’s inspiring to see, at an event like this, the kind of leaders these young people can become.”
NAHJ’s NextGen initiatives include the Student Project, an intensive newsroom training program that pairs student journalists with professional mentors during NAHJ’s annual conference. Its alumni have gone on to work across leading newsrooms nationwide. To purchase tickets to the event, click here.
Alongside the Excelencia honors, NAHJ President Dunia Elvir will present President’s Awards to four journalists whose exceptional leadership and dedication have advanced Hispanic journalism. The program will also feature a silent auction, giving attendees a direct way to support NAHJ’s NextGen programs.
Ñ Legacy Award: Jim Acosta
A veteran national anchor and correspondent, Acosta is known for tenacity, press-freedom advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to truth. His central role in consequential political coverage has elevated the visibility of Latino journalists in American media. Colleagues praise his readiness to mentor, steadiness under pressure, and the example he sets for students who see what principled reporting looks like. He urges underrepresented journalists to persist: “We are not enemies of the people—we are the voices of the people.”
National Latina Journalist of the Year: Mireya Villarreal
A nationally recognized correspondent and investigative storyteller at ABC News, Mireya Villarreal is known for high-impact reporting that illuminates policy through people-centered narratives. Her recent enterprise work has sharpened public understanding of immigration, climate, and public safety while elevating sources too often left out of national coverage. Beyond the broadcast, she’s a door-opener, mentoring early-career reporters, advocating for inclusive sourcing, and modeling the standard for accuracy, empathy, and accountability. “Villarreal’s approach to mentorship extends beyond professional guidance to genuine personal investment in colleagues’ success.” Her consistent reporting on immigration and Latino experiences has reshaped newsroom priorities, demonstrating how individual journalists can drive systemic change in media representation.
Spirit of NAHJ Award: Charo Henríquez
Charo Henríquez is a transformative newsroom leader and teacher who builds pathways, coaches journalists at every level, and provides the behind-the-scenes support that makes a meaningful difference. She has championed NAHJ’s Adelante Academy since its first cohort, embodying the mission to advance Hispanic journalism. As one nominator wrote, “Charo is one of—if not the—most recognizable Latino faces at The New York Times. Despite a demanding role, she remains an active, engaged member of NAHJ and ONA, serving in multiple leadership capacities.” Whether architecting new programs or offering one-to-one guidance, Henríquez exemplifies NAHJ’s spirit: generosity, rigor, and a relentless belief in our community’s talent.
National Student Journalist of the Year: Brunella Tipismana
Brunella Tipismana has built an early portfolio defined by courage, clarity, and service to community. She’s reported across campus, city, and international beats, led peers in student media, and pursued accountability stories that blend careful verification with compassionate interviewing. As managing editor of the Yale Daily News Magazine, she mentored over 60 writers and expanded outreach so underrepresented students could see themselves in the bylines. She is currently working on starting Yale’s first NAHJ chapter to build community and open doors for the next generation.
Corporate Impact Award: JPMorganChase
JPMorganChase is recognized for multi-year support that expands access to training and mentorship for students and early-career journalists. As an NAHJ Champion partner, JPMorganChase has equipped NAHJ journalists with tools and resources for financial empowerment through its NAHJ Cares initiatives, including financial-literacy programming and skills workshops. Through partnerships with mission-driven organizations, the company has helped newsrooms deliver clearer, more actionable coverage of the economy and personal finance, better serving audiences nationwide.
Join us as we celebrate these leaders, storytellers, and organizations advancing coverage in Hispanic communities. Those who attend will be directly investing in the next generation of journalists shaping Latino storytelling.
To learn more about the Excelencia Awards, visit our website.
###
About NAHJ
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is an educational and charitable association dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanic students, professionals, and educators in the field of journalism. NAHJ focuses heavily on advocacy, addressing injustices and political issues that affect Latino journalists throughout the country, while also supporting a growing network of members and chapters. For more information please visit NAHJ.org or follow us on X @NAHJ.