[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800.0"] Inez Gonzalez directs the Latino Communications Initiative at Cal State Fullerton.[/caption]

Inez Gonzalez, director of the Latino Communications Initiative at Cal State Fullerton, and two CSUF students received awards at the Hispanic Public Relations Association’s recent PRemio Awards and Scholarship Gala.

Gonzalez received the 2015 PRemio Award for a public relations professional. She was recognized for her work with the Latino Communications Initiative in preparing students for internships, career development and employment.

"My job is bringing together the talent that we have at Cal State Fullerton with the industry that is looking for them, said Gonzalez. "Cal State Fullerton is already a leader in graduating the most Latinos in communications, and it's not just the numbers, but it's the quality of the education."

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="275.0"] Cal State Fullerton students Beatriz Martinez, left, and Marissa Plascencia received scholarships from the Hispanic Public Relations Association.[/caption]

Prior to joining Cal State Fullerton in 2013, Gonzalez was executive vice president for the National Hispanic Media Coalition, a nonpartisan, nonprofit, media advocacy and civil rights organization. While there, she developed an expertise in media policy and established national alliances and networks within the media and entertainment industries.

Student Honorees

CSUF communications majors Beatriz Martinez and Marissa Plascencia received scholarships from the Hispanic Public Relations Association at its Oct. 29 gala. Both Martinez and Plascencia credit their involvement in the Latino Communications Initiative for helping them network with professionals and obtain internships.