The UST bilingual journalism program enabled alumna Daniella Guzman to combine her strengths and interests in Spanish and communication to create a career in bilingual journalism. Currently working as a Channel 2 KPRC reporter and weekend anchor, Guzman earned a joint major in communication and Spanish in 2006.

“Daniella is one of our brightest stars,” said Dr. Robin Williamson, chair of the Communication Department. “We were fortunate to have her in both the Communication and Spanish Departments, and we are delighted to see her continue to be successful in her career as a reporter and anchor.

“Bilingual journalism not only serves the greater Houston Hispanic population, but it is also on the forefront of news trends in network television programming.” Williamson said. “It gives our students dual advantages in the Hispanic and mainstream markets.”

The Spanish Department offers bilingual journalism and broadcast media for the Spanish/Communication joint major.  Guzman was among the first class of students to participate in the University’s bilingual journalism program, which was the first of its kind when it was introduced in 2001. Both her parents, Rosario and Fernando Guzman, graduated from UST.

“Being able to read, write and deliver the news in both languages is a big professional advantage in cities like Houston which have a growing Hispanic population,” Guzman said. “It’s not enough just to report the news in English and translate it into Spanish. The way you deliver the news to a Spanish-speaking market is completely different. UST’s program trained me to work in both markets.

“Houston is a top ten market in television, and it’s practically unheard of to start your broadcast career in a top ten market,” she said. “I was able to do that thanks to the skills I learned and connections I made through UST’s bilingual journalism program.”

Before landing her current position at Channel 2, Guzman worked in sales, advertising and marketing did internships and small jobs at advertising agencies, Fox 26, Univision, Telemundo, Televisa in Mexico and the Houston Chronicle.

Guzman credits much of her success to her professors including former adjunct professor Marcello Marini, Dr. Robin Williamson, Dr. Elizabeth Coscio, Modern and Classical Languages chair, and Father, Jack Hanna, CSB.

“The degree program is very balanced and gives you a taste of everything. I gained a thorough overall understanding of the advertising, marketing and mass communication industries,” Guzman said. “Dr. Williamson encouraged us to do internships and those have really made a difference in my career. I grew up speaking Spanish with my family, but I needed to work on my Spanish writing proficiency. Fr. Hanna had such high expectations, and drilled me in Spanish grammar. I truly appreciate it now because I can work in a Spanish-speaking industry.”

Aside from her communication and Spanish classes, Guzman said she benefitted from the University’s Catholic, liberal arts core curriculum.

“I truly enjoyed taking theology and philosophy classes,” she said. “They gave me a general idea to figure out my purpose in life. At that age, a lot of people need direction and guidance. You don’t have to be Catholic to understand or benefit from theology and philosophy classes.”

Photo courtesy of KPRC Channel 2.