Maria Belen Rojas
Degree: Bachelor’s in Broadcast Media/Television Production
College/School: School of Journalism and Mass Communication
From the time she was a young child in Ecuador, Maria Belen Rojas was fascinated with the television production and news industry. Her dream was to develop stories that would empower women and their families.
At the age of 16, her father moved her and her family to the United States in search of better opportunities. At 22, Maria Belen got married. Shortly after Maria Belen and her husband, Andres, welcomed their children, Sebastian and Valentina.
However, Maria Belen had not given up on her dream, and 10 years after she graduated high school she began to attend Broward College.
Later, she transferred to FIU to pursue a degree in broadcast media. Just one semester before finishing, Maria Belen’s 6-year-old, Sebastian, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.
Sebastian underwent surgery and needed radiation. The family had to move 1,000 miles away to Tennessee for him to receive chemotherapy. After 7 months of successful treatment, the family was able to come home, while Sebastian continued taking 12 cycles of chemo in pills. Maria Belen returned to school to finish her degree.
Maria Belen is finally receiving her bachelor’s in broadcast media/television production, and just one week before commencement Sebastian celebrated his recovery with a “no mo’ chemo party.”
After graduation, Maria Belen hopes to obtain a job in a television production company and eventually will pursue her master’s degree.