Graduate students interested in furthering their studies in multicultural and Hispanic marketing communication will receive much-needed support thanks to the newly established Perez Family Graduate Fellowship.

Awarded to outstanding incoming or continuing graduate students seeking a master’s or doctoral degree, the fellowship will focus on research aligned with the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication at Florida State University’s College of Communication and Information.

“It is a great leadership opportunity for a future scholar in our discipline,” said Dr. Sindy Chapa, the director of CHMC. “With this new fellowship, we will be able to have a graduate student working at the Center for several years, providing them an opportunity for meaningful academic growth and professional development.”

The gift will also serve as a lasting tribute to the vision and commitment of its benefactor—Eduardo O. Perez, an FSU alumnus and valued member of the CCI Leadership and CHMC Advisory boards. A 1989 political science and international affairs graduate, Perez is an entrepreneur and thought leader in multicultural and Hispanic marketing and advertising.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to support outstanding graduate students with this fellowship,” Perez said. “I have been a strong supporter of The Center and therefore focused my support on this fantastic and trailblazing program.”

Chapa said the fellowship also represents an opportunity for more research on understanding the Hispanic population in the U.S., a market becoming increasingly important in the advertising industry.

According to the Hispanic Marketing Council, Hispanics make up almost 19% of the U.S. population, contributing to more than half of the total population growth over the past 10 years and skyrocketing in buying power.

Already a supporter and advocate of CHMC, Perez says it made sense to extend his contributions through this fellowship, supporting graduate education, experiential learning opportunities, advanced research and innovative ideas.

Perez credits his accomplishments and desire to give back to Florida State. “My years at FSU set me on a path of lifelong success,” he said.

The Perez Family Graduate Fellowship in Multicultural and Hispanic Marketing Communication is critical to Florida State University’s ability to reinforce its commitment to student success and academic excellence while fueling research progress and exploration.

To learn more about the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication, visit hmc.comm.fsu.edu.

To learn more about supporting students at the College of Communication and Information, contact Mafe Brooks, assistant dean of development at mafe.brooks@cci.fsu.edu or 850-645-8312.