Nina Alvarez

Nina Alvarez is an Assistant Professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where she serves as the CBS Professor of International Journalism. With over twenty-five years of experience, she is a seasoned journalist and documentarian, specializing in issues related to migration, human rights, and social justice. Her work has taken her across various regions, including the United States, Latin America, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East, covering topics such as armed conflict, human trafficking, and government corruption.13

Professional Background

• Current Role: Assistant Professor at Columbia University since July 2018, where she teaches classes such as "Video Newsroom" and focuses on producing video stories.12

• Previous Experience: Alvarez has held significant positions in various media organizations, including:

  • President/Producer at Zócalo Media (2004 - Present)
  • Senior Editor/Investigations at The Futuro Media Group (2018)
  • Senior Producer at Fusion Network (2015 - 2017)
  • Contributing Producer/Writer at Univision (2001 - 2017) among others.13

Notable Projects and Achievements

Alvarez has produced and directed numerous impactful documentaries, including:

• "Which Way Home" (2009), an Oscar-nominated film about child migrants.
• "Latino Americans", a PBS series that earned her a Peabody Award.
• Her recent project, "De-Documented Salvadorans," focuses on Salvadoran refugees facing deportation and has received support from various documentary organizations.23

Education

Alvarez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from New York University, completed in 1991.1

Personal Background

As a daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, Alvarez's work is deeply influenced by her personal experiences and commitment to social justice, particularly concerning the rights of women and children.3