When Magge Nuñez—better known as DJ Rosez—graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown in 2018, she expected to build a career in education. Today, she performs on some of the biggest platforms in the country, including the Houston Rodeo, South by Southwest, and Young Miko's Gap campaign. While her professional path took an unexpected turn, the values she developed at UHD—community, representation, and service—remain at the heart of everything she does.
Rosez's journey into music began during the COVID-19 lockdown while she was working for a charter school. Determined to explore a new creative outlet, she taught herself how to DJ and began performing virtually. What started as a hobby quickly gained traction. After a friend posted a video of one of her sets, new opportunities followed, launching the career that would soon make her one of Houston's most recognizable DJs.
Leaving behind the stability of a career in education was not an easy decision. But with encouragement from someone who believed in her potential, Rosez took a leap of faith. “To have someone with so much faith in you is really life-changing,” she said. “I'm a strong believer that the universe will give you signs of the places that you're meant to be at.”
As her platform grew, so did her commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and represented. That mission traces back to her time at UHD, where courses and mentors helped expand her understanding of identity, equity, and community.
“I really resonated with Dr. Kristin Anderson's lectures,” Rosez said. “Her Psychology of Women class completely changed my life. I had never really thought about what women endure—and how ethnicity also plays a major role in that. She brought so much awareness to that.”
The lessons she learned in the classroom continue to influence her work today. Through her music and events, Rosez intentionally creates welcoming, intersectional spaces that celebrate diverse identities and experiences.
Drawing inspiration from her Salvadoran heritage and the music she grew up with, she also aims to broaden perceptions of Latin music. “I want to showcase what my identities are about,” she said. “I don't want to hear just the typical Latin songs. We are more than just those songs.”
For Rosez, building community extends beyond the dance floor. Last year, she established a scholarship at UHD to help students overcome financial barriers and pursue their educational goals. The scholarship reflects her belief that success is most meaningful when it creates opportunities for others. “The goal is always to give back,” Rosez said. Witnessing the challenges many undocumented students faced while pursuing their degrees inspired her to invest directly in future generations of UHD students.
Rosez credits the university with shaping not only her career but also her understanding of the power of community. “Without community, you have nothing. You can't move through this life alone,” Rosez said. The relationships she built at UHD continue to influence her personal and professional life, and university staff played a meaningful role in her journey after graduation. Student Leadership and Involvement Director Tremaine Kwasikpui, for example, helped her secure her first post-college job.
For current students, her advice reflects the same values that have guided her success: "For someone who's looking for community or wanting to build it, start by getting to know other people, putting yourself out there, and finding the things that unite us."
Today, whether she's performing in front of thousands or supporting students through her scholarship, Rosez continues to embody the spirit of community engagement fostered at UHD, using her platform not only to entertain, but to uplift, connect, and create opportunities for others. She’ll be returning to campus to DJ at New Student Convocation on Saturday, August 15!