Zapopan, Jalisco; January 28, 2026.– The talent, social awareness, and journalistic rigor of the student body at the Universidad Panamericana Guadalajara Universidad Panamericana were recognized with the State Journalism Award, an honor that, for the first time in its history, has been awarded to a student from this institution in the student category.
Paula Barba Cantarero, a student in the Communication and Journalism program, was recognized for an investigative report that sheds light on the experiences of children whose mothers are victims of domestic violence—an issue that has received little attention in the media and on social platforms.
Institutional Recognition of Journalism with Social Impact
In recognition of her achievements, Paula Barba Cantarero was honored at a breakfast hosted by Dr. Abraham Mendoza Andrade, president of the Universidad Panamericana Guadalajara Universidad Panamericana , who highlighted the human and journalistic value of her work.
“That means there’s an art to it, because you were able to convey such a difficult, complex reality, and that’s surely what’s highly valued in the awards,” said Dr. Abraham Mendoza Andrade.
In attendance at the meeting were Dr. Gabriel Domínguez, dean of the School of Communication; Federico Torres, director of the Strategic and Public Communication program; Paola Lizárraga, journalism professor; and Alejandro Suárez, assistant to the president.
The Challenge of Investigating Complex Realities
During the conversation, the student discussed the professional and emotional challenges involved in the research, as well as the importance of giving journalism a social purpose.
“When you give your talent a purpose, you feel more fulfilled. Putting yourself in others’ shoes changes the way you understand reality,” said Paula Barba Cantarero, reflecting on the impact of journalism on social empathy.
In response to this testimony, the university president emphasized that such achievements reflect the educational philosophy of the Universidad Panamericana, where journalism is viewed as a tool for social transformation rooted in humanistic values.
A Pan-American profile that builds bridges
The student then conducted an interview with the university president from the radio booth at the Universidad Panamericana, during which they discussed the institution’s vision, university leadership, and the role of higher education in addressing social challenges.
Dr. Abraham Mendoza Andrade explained that his commitment to academia stems from his professional experiences focused on promoting workplace inclusion for people with disabilities, which reinforced his belief that the university is a place where technical and human elements come together.
“We must always strengthen the academic sphere, but we must also position the university to address local, regional, and social challenges. Our goal is to build a community capable of having a positive impact on its surroundings,” he said.
When discussing his vision for the future, the president expressed his hope that the Pan-American community would be recognized as one that “builds bridges” between knowledge, action, professional success, and social commitment.
Journalism that transforms realities
With students like Paula Barba Cantarero, the Universidad Panamericana Guadalajara Universidad Panamericana reaffirms its commitment to a well-rounded education, where journalism is practiced with ethics, sensitivity, and social responsibility, helping to shed light on issues, raise awareness, and promote a culture of respect, dignity, and inclusion in society.
Learn more about the School of Communication at: https://www.up.edu.mx/educacion-universidad-escuela-de-comunicacion/
