Growing up in Miami in a bilingual Cuban American household, Alina Falcon distinctly remembers the ever-present chatter of Spanish-language news and programming as a constant hum throughout her childhood.
“[It] was a steady, familiar presence in our home. Even before I fully understood the stories, I could feel their seriousness and the connection they created. That early exposure planted a seed,” Falcon said.
A self-described “TV junkie” in her youth, she was captivated by television and how content was delivered across genres.
“That love of television became the gateway to my love of journalism,” Falcon said.
Graduating from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts, Falcon’s notable career includes roles at two of the largest Spanish-language news outlets in the U.S., serving as president of news at Univision Communications and executive vice president of news at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. She remains the only person to have led the news divisions at both media companies. Her decades-long career was honored on July 12 in Chicago with an induction into the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) Hall of Fame during its annual conference. The NAHJ Hall of Fame recognizes trailblazing journalists whose dedications and contributions have paved the way for Latinos in the industry.
But before Falcon was spearheading news divisions, she was a middle school student in Miami exploring her growing interest in journalism by joining the newspaper staff. By the time she attended Miami Killian Senior High School, she was the news editor of the school’s newspaper and a yearbook editor.
“I loved everything about it: interviewing people, shaping the stories, even the rush of a looming deadline. That’s when I realized journalism wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was something I felt compelled to do,” Falcon said.
Through journalism, Falcon found her voice and through television, a fictional newsroom, in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” caught her attention. As a young girl, she watched the show and saw Moore’s character as a woman who “has it all figured out.”
“She had a fabulous apartment, great outfits, and—most importantly—she worked in a TV newsroom and seemed to run the place. I didn’t know exactly what a producer did, but whatever it was, it looked like the most interesting job I had ever seen,” Falcon said.
While at the University of Miami, Falcon majored in communications with a focus on broadcast journalism. She was a work-study at the current Studio C in the School of Communication, gaining experience in multiple facets of studio operations.
“[It] helped solidify my interest in both the technical and editorial sides of the business,” Falcon said.
As a student, she interned at two television stations, including WTVJ, a CBS affiliate at the time.
“That internship turned into my first job as an assignment editor, giving me a direct entry into the industry,” Falcon said.
Less than a year later, Falcon took on the role of producer at WLTV, Univision’s flagship Miami station. By the time she was 27 years old, she was news director at the station.
“That role launched me into national news management and senior leadership positions at both Univision and Telemundo. From the very beginning, my goal was to ensure our Latino community was seen, heard, and accurately represented,” said Falcon.
Looking back at her time at the University, she fondly remembers her professors—including Mitch Shapiro, professor in the Department of Journalism and Media Management; Carolyn Cefalo, a distinguished alumna and donor to the School of Communication; the late Lemuel Schofield, who served as associate dean of the School of Communication; and the late Judy Wallace, who taught broadcast journalism—for creating a supportive classroom environment where scholarly debates were encouraged.
“They challenged us to think critically, write clearly, and understand the ethical responsibility that comes with journalism,” Falcon said.
Her induction into the NAHJ Hall of Fame recognizes her decades-long impact on journalism through her work, mentorship, and commitment to accurate, representative coverage of Latino communities.
Her trailblazing career earned her numerous honors, including being named one of the Most Powerful Women in Cable by Cablefax; one of the 25 Powerful Hispanic Women in Entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard; a Women to Watch by Ad Age; and one of the 25 Most Powerful Women by People En Español.
While at WLTV, Falcon steered the Spanish-language station to the number one spot in the market, regardless of language. At Univision, she was responsible for all news programs including: “Noticiero Univision,” “Primer Impacto,” “Aqui y Ahora,” “Enfoque,” as well as all breaking news coverage and specials, leading the network to the number one source for information for Hispanics in the U.S. She also helped develop TeleFutura, a Univision network, into the number two Spanish-language network in key dayparts and demos. At NBCTelemundo, she led the news division, championing for accurate reporting that reflected the voices of the Latino community.
During her time at Telemundo and at Univision, she helped steer how millions of people received their news on critical topics ranging from elections and immigration to health crises and cultural shifts. In addition to her senior leadership roles in the news divisions of both organizations, she also held major executive positions spanning general management, programming, production and strategy, and sports, among others.
Falcon calls her induction into the NAHJ Hall of Fame “one of the most meaningful honors of my life.”
“Personally, it’s a moment of reflection and gratitude—for my family, my mentors, my colleagues, and the community I’ve had the privilege to serve. Professionally, it’s recognition of decades spent helping elevate Spanish-language journalism and U.S. media overall—not just through editorial leadership, but also through strategy, innovation, mentorship, and dedication.”
But for Falcon, it’s the untelevised moments behind the scenes that define her legacy.
“Mentoring young journalists, advocating for diversity in hiring and leadership, and helping build inclusive, passionate, and committed newsrooms that reflected the communities we served. I worked to ensure that Spanish-language news was regarded with the same—or even higher—journalistic standards and strategic resources as any other major newsroom,” Falcon said.
For students interested in pursuing a career in journalism, she advises them “to be curious, be courageous, and lead with integrity.”
“I wish someone had told me: Your background isn’t something to overcome—it’s something to lean into. Your perspective, your culture, and your lived experiences are exactly what journalism needs to reflect and serve the full audience,” said Falcon.
