July 26, 2026 – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) today proudly announces the creation of the Dunia Elvir scholarship, a new initiative established by NAHJ President Dunia Elvir to support students pursuing careers in journalism. The scholarship will award $5,000 annually for five years, representing a commitment of $25,000 to the next generation of journalists.
The inaugural recipient of the Dunia Elvir Scholarship is Carmen Talavera, a student-athlete at Emerson College in Boston, who was recognized during the NAHJ Hall of Fame Dinner at the NAHJ Conference & Expo on July 25 in New Orleans.
Talavera is a sports communication major who aspires to build a career in strategic communications and storytelling in professional sports.
Established by Elvir, the scholarship is designed to assist promising journalism students who are overcoming financial hardships, medical challenges or other significant personal obstacles while pursuing their educational goals.The scholarship reflects Elvir’s belief that talent, determination and passion—not circumstance—should define a student’s future.
“I never imagined my husband and I would have the privilege of doing something like this. This is more than a scholarship, it is a reflection of my family’s journey, our gratitude for the opportunities we have received, and our belief that every student deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of the challenges they face,” Elvir said.
Elvir is the anchor for Telemundo 52’s weekday primetime newscasts “Noticiero Telemundo 52” at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. serving Spanish-speaking audiences in Southern California.
Elvir is an award-winning journalist with more than three decades of a successful career in journalism, including radio, print, and television.
She began her journalistic career in 1990 at Telemundo 52 Los Angeles, then joined the Telemundo Network in 2002 before returning to KVEA in 2008.
Elvir’s storytelling has earned her prestigious awards, including a national Gold Telly, 18 Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards, three Golden Mikes from the Radio & Television News Association of Southern California, and a GLAAD Media Award, among others.
“Dunia’s generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of students who are often overlooked,” said NAHJ executive director Yaneth Guillen-Diaz. “More importantly, this scholarship will help them feel seen, valued and encouraged to pursue careers in journalism.”
Applications and eligibility requirements for the Dunia Elvir Scholarship will be available through the NAHJ Educational Fund. Additional information can be found at www.nahj.org.
About NAHJ: The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States, dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ works to increase the number of Latinos in newsrooms and to promote fair, accurate and inclusive coverage of Latino communities. Learn more at nahj.org.
For more information: communications@nahj.org