Dr. Leslie Berestein Rojas

Associate Professor

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Biography

Leslie Berestein Rojas is an associate professor of professional practice and the director of audio news at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. With over 30 years of experience as a veteran journalist, she has worked across radio, audio, digital, and print platforms, primarily focusing on issues of immigration. Berestein Rojas dedicated much of her career to reporting on immigrant communities, becoming an in-house expert on immigration matters while at Southern California Public Radio (89.3 KPCC). She has developed numerous award-winning, complex multi-platform projects that tell the stories of underrepresented voices. Her reporting has directly addressed various immigration stories, including the aftermath of 9/11, DACA, and the border asylum crisis, striving to highlight the perspectives of the Latin American diaspora in the United States. Berestein Rojas has contributed her expertise to various publications like Time, People, and the Orange County Register. Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Los Angeles, she is a native Spanish speaker and has reported extensively from Latin America. Her work has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including the RTNA Golden Mike Award and the L.A. Press Club Journalism Awards.

Research Interests

Awards

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Five-time RTNA Golden Mike Award

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Multiple L.A. Press Club Southern California Journalism Awards

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National Barlett & Steele Gold Award

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CCNMA Influential Latina Journalists

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Two-time CCNMA Ruben Salazar Award

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National Business Award

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree
Application Checklist
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement
  • Writing Sample/Journalism Portfolio
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Kira Talent Video Interview
  • Official transcripts
Specialization Notes

GRE is not required for Summer 2026 admission.