2026 Gators Unidos scholarship recipients

We are proud to honor Ismary Ochoa, a rising senior at the University of Florida pursuing a dual degree in Marketing and Advertising. Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and raised in Miami, Florida, Ismary is a proud first-generation college student whose experiences have shaped her passion for storytelling, community-building, and multicultural marketing.

Throughout her time at UF, Ismary has dedicated herself to uplifting the Hispanic community through leadership and service. She has served on the executive boards of both the Hispanic Student Association and the Venezuelan Student Association, helping strengthen each organization's outreach, engagement, and visual identity while creating spaces where students feel represented, supported, and empowered to celebrate their culture.

Professionally, Ismary has pursued opportunities that combine creativity with strategy, gaining experience across influencer marketing, creative agencies, and the global music industry. Her work has included supporting artist campaigns, developing social content, and helping artists reach new audiences through authentic storytelling. Most recently, she has worked with Universal Music Group through both Universal Music Latino and 1824, helping amplify artists and strengthen the relationship between music and culture.

At its core, Ismary sees communication as an innately human pursuit. She believes that art, businesses, and passion projects are often extensions of the people behind them and deserve to be shared with the audiences who will find meaning in them. Through marketing and creative strategy, she hopes to serve as a bridge between creators and communities, helping people recognize the value in one another’s work while fostering understanding, inspiration, and belonging.

This summer, Ismary will be interning with Island Records in New York City as a Creative Strategy Intern, where she is excited to learn from one of the world's leading music companies while continuing to champion diverse voices within the industry. She is incredibly grateful for the support of the Gators Unidos Scholarship Fund and looks forward to bringing the AHA mission to gators and professionals everywhere.

We are proud to honor Alejandro Ramirez, a psychology major pursuing a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Florida. Alejandro has centered his UF experience around using language and communication as the gateway to connection. As he began his UF journey, Alejandro joined PorColombia where he served in various leadership roles until his culmination as vice president of the organization; he always upheld the standard that anyone should be able to participate in the beauty of Colombian culture regardless of their background or language proficiency.

Throughout his time at UF, Alejandro volunteered with the Latina Women’s League and Children Beyond our Borders to teach beginner-level English classes to Spanish-speaking immigrants. Outside of his philanthropic work, he has also dedicated much of his efforts to advocacy through research. 

Professionally, Alejandro has pursued leadership experience as the team leader for the Bilingual Languages Access & Outcomes Lab at UF’s College of Public Health and Health Professions, where he spent three semesters brainstorming, developing, and presenting multiple research projects related to bilingual advocacy and how best to provide equitable access to healthcare for individuals with limited English proficiency. As a result of his dedication to research and advocacy, Alejandro has been awarded as a 2024 Hispanic Scholarship Fund recipient as well as a Trainee Scholarship recipient for the inaugural 2026 UF Brain Injury Research Symposium.

As a current master’s student in the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program, Alejandro is honored to serve as the DEI Chair for the UF Graduate National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (GNSSLHA); he programs events that promote the diversity that

the UF SLP cohort holds and educates students on how to demonstrate cultural humility as

future clinicians. After graduation, Alejandro would like to practice as a bilingual medical SLP in

south Florida where he can support adult Latino patients with their speech, language, and

swallowing difficulties on a daily basis.

We are proud to honor Maria Aliaga, a rising third year Finance student at the University of Florida. Originally from Lima, Peru, Maria moved to South Florida at the age of eight and is a proud first generation college student.

At UF, Maria has found purpose in serving others through mentoring, event planning, and building inclusive communities. As a Finance major, she developed a passion for problem solving and creating strategic connections that drive meaningful impact. Her interests have also expanded to public health, inspired by the disparities she witnessed growing up in Peru. With this dual focus, Maria hopes to return to South America to work in underserved communities and use her financial knowledge and public health perspective to address systemic challenges.

On campus, Maria serves as a First Year Florida Peer Leader through the Center for New Student and Family Programs and will soon step into the role of Lead Educator for Returner Engagement. In these roles, she mentors first year students as they transition to university life and helps them navigate academic and campus resources. Maria is also involved in the Venezuelan Student Association and works as a student assistant at the Office of International Admissions, where she connects with students from around the world.

This summer, Maria will study abroad in Madrid, Spain through the Heavener School of Business, further expanding her global perspective on health and business. She is grateful to be part of the UF AHA community and honored to receive support from the Gators Unidos Scholarship Fund as she continues her academic and professional journey.

We are proud to honor Andrea Fonseca, a rising senior at the University of Florida majoring in Journalism. As a multimedia journalist and producer, she currently serves as a director for WUFT’s First at Five newscast, helping shape the stories that inform and connect the community.

Andrea brings extensive experience in bilingual content creation and production, including previous work producing for Caplin News en Español. Her commitment to amplifying Latinx voices extends beyond the newsroom. She previously served as Chapter President of NAHJ FIU and will soon step into the role of President of the Hispanic Communication Association. She also contributes her creative skills as a photographer for UF’s Hispanic Latine Student Association.

Her passion for storytelling has taken her across borders, from podcast production with Commons for Justice to international student media campaigns with PROEMAID in Spain. As a first generation college student, Andrea is deeply committed to helping others navigate higher education. She has served as a scholarship presenter at the National First Generation Low Income Student Conference and was recognized as a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar.

Outside the newsroom, Andrea enjoys crocheting and discovering new sitcoms. She is proud to continue her journey with the support of the Gators Unidos Scholarship Fund while uplifting her community one story at a time.

We are proud to honor Lucia Urdaneta, a dedicated third year student at the University of Florida majoring in Anthropology and Latin American Studies. As a first generation American from a Venezuelan family, Lucia brings a strong sense of community and cultural pride to her work on campus.

At UF, Lucia has demonstrated meaningful leadership through her involvement with the Hispanic Student Association and the Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement. Through these roles, she has helped create welcoming spaces that support connection, cultural celebration, and student engagement across the Latino community.

Lucia’s academic interests center on understanding culture, identity, and social systems. She hopes to continue her studies in graduate school and pursue a career as a professor, where she can teach, mentor students, and contribute research that uplifts and represents Latin American voices.

Her dedication to community, education, and cultural advocacy reflects her commitment to empowering future generations of Latino students.

We are proud to honor Ceci Edelberg, a rising senior at the University of Florida majoring in Public Relations with minors in Latin American Studies, History, and Spanish. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ceci brings a global perspective and strong leadership to her academic and professional work.

At UF, Ceci has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the Managing Director of Alpha PR and as Vice President of Professional Development for the Public Relations Student Society of America. Through these roles, she has helped fellow students build professional skills, expand industry connections, and prepare for careers in communications.

Her passion for storytelling and community engagement is reflected in her involvement with the Hispanic Student Association, UF Hillel, and Alpha Epsilon Phi. She has also dedicated time to civic engagement through Chomp The Vote, encouraging student participation in the democratic process.

Ceci is currently interning with NBCUniversal’s Late Night team in New York City, where she continues to grow her experience in media and communications while pursuing her goal of creating meaningful impact through storytelling.

Congratulations to Massiel Cobblah Gutierrez, a rising fourth year student at the University of Florida, for receiving the 2023 Gators Unidos Scholarship. Through her dedication to academic excellence and service, Massiel has made a meaningful impact on the UF community and beyond.

With more than 1,000 hours of service, Massiel exemplifies compassion, leadership, and a deep commitment to uplifting others. She is the founder of two impactful service initiatives that reflect her passion for supporting her community. Through these efforts, she has helped fund a full ride scholarship for a deserving student and organized graduation photoshoots for young women who could not otherwise afford them.

Massiel hopes to pursue a career as a criminal law attorney, with the goal of advancing equity and justice, particularly within the Latino community. Her determination, generosity, and leadership continue to inspire those around her.

As she begins the law school application process, the Gators Unidos community proudly celebrates her accomplishments and looks forward to the positive impact she will continue to make.

Congratulations to Rosinella D’Ostilio, a rising senior at the University of Florida, for receiving the 2023 Gators Unidos Scholarship. Through her dedication to leadership, service, and storytelling, Rosinella has made a meaningful impact both on campus and within her broader community.

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Rosinella came to the United States in pursuit of her academic and professional goals. At UF, she is enrolled in the Combined Degree program in the Warrington College of Business and is on track to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Marketing.

Her passion for marketing and storytelling inspired her to create Alimentando Venezuela, a nonprofit initiative that provides humanitarian aid to malnourished children and their mothers in Venezuela. Through this work, she has supported hundreds of families while staying deeply connected to her home community.

Rosinella has also gained professional experience through internships with L’Oréal, where she has worked across fragrance, makeup, and hair care brands while building her expertise in marketing and communications. On campus, she serves as a Career and Peer Mentor and as a Media Coordinator at The Agency, supporting fellow students and developing her leadership skills.

We proudly honor Lorenzo Quiceno, a recipient of the 2022 Gators Unidos Scholarship at the University of Florida. Lorenzo’s journey reflects resilience, determination, and a strong commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved communities.

A third year student from South Florida, Lorenzo is majoring in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Health Disparities. As a first generation college student, his path to higher education required persistence and dedication. He now plans to pursue medical school, where he hopes to serve marginalized populations and expand access to healthcare, particularly within the Latino community.

Lorenzo’s passion for this work is deeply personal. Growing up in a family with undocumented immigrant parents, he witnessed firsthand the barriers many families face within the American healthcare system. These experiences have strengthened his commitment to addressing health disparities and advocating for more equitable access to care.

We proudly honor Clara Calavia Sarnago, a recipient of the 2022 Gators Unidos Scholarship at the University of Florida. Clara’s journey from a small town in Spain to the UF community reflects her passion for cultural understanding, civic leadership, and advocacy for immigrant communities.

A rising third year student in the University of Florida Honors Program, Clara is pursuing dual majors in International Studies with a focus on Europe and Economics. She has demonstrated strong leadership on campus through her involvement as Student Body Vice President in Student Government, Secretary of the Hispanic Student Association, and Vice President of the European Union Club. She also participated in the Washington Internship Program, gaining valuable experience in public service and policy.

Clara is deeply committed to advocating for immigrant communities and addressing the barriers many undocumented families face while pursuing opportunities in the United States. Through her work and campus involvement, she strives to amplify these voices and promote greater understanding and inclusion.