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Viles & Beckman and Viles & Beckman Foundation, Inc. are proud to offer the 2025 Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship on an annual basis. This scholarship celebrates the generosity, compassion, and community-mindedness that Marcus W. Viles displayed throughout his life.
This year, the 2025 Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship goes to first-generation college student Claudia Masmitja Corujo. Corujo is a student at the University of Florida, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Health Education and Behavior on the Pre-PA track.
The Fort Myers personal injury lawyers with Viles & Beckman and Viles & Beckman Foundation Inc. are proud to offer her the financial support she needs to continue her studies and better serve the community around her.
Finding Empowerment in Diverse Communities
Corujo is quick to introduce herself as a child of an international family. While she was born in Spain, she notes that her family raised her with “deep Cuban roots” and eventually moved to Miami. She describes the city as a melting pot “where cultures blend and diversity thrives,” and notes that while the move wasn’t easy, Miami welcomed her with open arms.
Her essay goes into detail about how Miami’s inclusivity shaped her childhood and taught her the value of belonging.
“That early experience of being embraced, understood, and celebrated in all my identities laid the groundwork for how I now view and nurture the communities around me,” she says. “The kindness I received during that difficult transition inspired me to one day become that source of comfort and familiarity for others.”
Expect More, Receive More: Legal Support That Feels Like Family
Finding the First-Generation Leadership Program
Corujo built on her childhood in Miami when she started forging communities at the University of Florida. There, she made a home for herself within the First-Generation Leadership Academy, which provided her with mentorship opportunities and chances to connect with other first-generation students who would become dear friends.
Her essay notes that the First-Generation Leadership Program was more than a sounding board for students struggling to find their feet. It was also an active organization that allowed her and her peers to discover their potential and make the most out of the resources available to them at the university.
Giving Back to an Instrumental Program
Corujo’s positive experiences within the First-Generation Leadership Program drove her to give back to the organization tenfold. She served as the organization’s Head of Public Relations from 2024 to 2025, during which time she helmed the organization’s social media outreach.
This position connected Corujoto with an audience of over 2,000 viewers. She used digital storytelling techniques to communicate with students who might benefit from the First-Generation Leadership Program’s resources and fostered connections with other organizations with similar goals.
This position also allowed her to serve as a mentor to over 50 students. In collaboration with other board members, Corujo ensured the First-Generation Leadership Program could continue to benefit students who needed a community to support them as they broke academic barriers on behalf of their families.
Serving Communities That Have Uplifted Her
Corujo built on her mentorship and leadership experiences by collaborating with the Member Leadership Program, where she helped two first-generation freshmen navigate their spring semesters.
This experience, paired with her time in the First-Generation Leadership Program, has since driven her to work as a substitute teacher, offering support for students who are scared or unsure.
She currently works at the UF Early Childhood Collaboratory. The position lets her continue to uplift students with backgrounds like hers while also alleviating the financial stress of continuing her college career.
Click To ContactBuilding a Career on Personal Experiences
What’s next for Claudia Corujo? In her own words, “My identity as a first-generation student, an immigrant, and a woman of Hispanic descent is essential to everything I do. These experiences have shown me the importance of representation, empathy, and advocacy.
“I’ve seen how economic disparities and social inequities disproportionately affect marginalized groups, especially in healthcare,” she continues. “That’s why I’m pursuing a Bachelor’s in Health Education and Behavior on the Pre-PA track. My goal is to become a Physician Assistant who not only treats patients but truly understands them; their stories, their backgrounds, their fears.
“After earning my bachelor’s degree in 2027, I plan to pursue the Health Education and Behavior Combined Master’s Program at the University of Florida. Following that, I intend to take a gap year to gain valuable patient-care experience before applying to Physician Assistant school. My ultimate goal is to work in pediatrics or neonatal care.”
About The Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship
Every year, the Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship is awarded to a student with a strong connection to their community and a determination to serve others. This scholarship allows both Viles & Beckman and Viles & Beckman Foundation Inc. to celebrate Marcus Viles’s achievements.
Marcus Viles “was a beacon of hope and inspiration…with a brilliant mind and a generous heart.” Both institutes speak highly of the mark he left on founding members after his passing, and both are confident that Claudia Corujo’s commitment to her community honors his legacy.
The Viles & Beckman Foundation and Viles & Beckman Are Proud to Support Claudia Corujo
Corujo is candid about the positive impact that the 2025 Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship will have on her academic career. She’s worked hard to fight for financial aid on several fronts, qualifying for the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program while also applying for the Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship.
“Applying to this scholarship is more than a financial necessity, it’s a lifeline,” she said in her scholarship essay. “It would bring much needed stability during this uncertain time and allow me to focus on what matters most: continuing to serve my community and preparing for a career where I can make a meaningful difference.”
The teams with Viles & Beckman and Viles & Beckman Foundation Inc. firmly believe that Corujo’s involvement in her community, generosity of spirit, and determination to bring about a brighter future will make her an ideal heir to Marcus Viles’ legacy. We are thrilled to help her continue making the world a better place.
