Emmy winning journalist and storyteller, Jeronimo “Jero” Mura ’24 has built a career defined by purpose. For this FIU alumnus, journalism is not just a profession, but a calling to help people. His work crosses borders, connects cultures, and gives visibility to the stories that truly matter.
The Emmy Moment That Defined a Calling
While at Univision in Washington, D.C., Mura produced a moving feature for Hispanic Heritage Month about a young Uruguayan legislator, a story that resonated deeply with his own identity and values. That powerful piece earned him an Emmy Award, a milestone that did more than elevate his career.
“It was a reminder of why I do this work,” Mura reflects. “For the passion and for the human connection.”
FIU: A Launchpad of Possibility
Long before the awards and bylines, there was a moment that changed everything: an acceptance letter from FIU and being the recipient of a scholarship.
Moving to the United States to continue his studies and pursue a master’s degree in mass communication was not easy, especially with the financial challenges that international students face. He often remembers the moment he was granted scholarships. The scholarship didn’t just pay tuition. It unlocked a future.
“My life changed when I received that scholarship,” he says with gratitude. “Without FIU I would be a completely different person today.” For Mura, that support was more than financial aid, it was the chance to follow his dream and keep growing as a journalist.
At FIU, he dove into production, editing, and multimedia storytelling — all skills that would become the backbone of his reporting style. Equally valuable were the relationships and professional networks he found at FIU which helped him break into the highly competitive U.S. media industry.
From FIU to War Zones: The Stories That Connect Us
Mura’s love for journalism was born in Buenos Aires, inspired by his father, who was also a journalist. From a young age, he roamed through buzzing newsrooms, radio stations and television studios, absorbing the craft of storytelling. That early exposure gave him a clear vision that journalism was going to be his future.
Fast forward to 2022, when Mura was sent to Ukraine as a war correspondent. For almost a month, he reported on the realities of the conflict, an experience that shaped his perspective on life and the true meaning of journalism. Being a witness to such a historic moment reaffirmed his belief that the best stories are those that make a difference, whether they help thousands or just one person. “Sometimes, telling one true story can do more than inform, it can change someone’s perspective or even their life,” he says.
Credibility in the Age of AI
Today, as journalism faces the challenges of the digital age, Mura believes credibility and authenticity matter more than ever. With information spreading instantly across social media, he insists that journalists must go beyond headlines and provide context, accuracy, and value. “In a world where information moves fast and facts get blurry, people don’t just need content. They need stories they can believe in and trust,” he says. For Jero Mura, that trust is built through honesty, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others, the same values that have guided him since his first days as a reporter.
Showing Gratitude by Giving Back
Ask Mura about his time at FIU, and you’ll see emotion rise to the surface. The journalist highlights that scholarships are not just financial aid but acts of trust in a person’s potential. When asked what he would say to the donors who make those opportunities possible, “I still get emotional about, “he admits. “My life changed when I received that scholarship. They changed my life in a way I never imagined. People I didn’t even know believed in me. That kind of generosity, it changes you.”
For Mura, the way to return that generosity is through his work, turning the education, connections, and opportunities his scholarship provided into meaningful contributions to his field and mentoring within his community. His dedication to truth, authenticity, and genuine journalism is how he continues to honor that gift.
