About Us
Lilyan Prado-Carrillo
Assistant Director, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and Emerald Eagle Scholars Program Coordinator
As head of the program, Lilyan tracks the achievement of each of the three main pillars: educational achievement; financial support; and engagement. She works with the staff in Student Financial Aid and Scholarships as well as colleagues across other departments to help with the program and its students. She has worked at UNT for three years. She is a graduate student in the Masters of Public Administration program at UNT.
Karen Snyder
Emerald Eagle Scholars Program Administrative Coordinator
As an Administrative Coordinator in the Emerald Eagle suite, Karen supports prospective and current students and their parents with every aspect of the Emerald Eagle Scholars program. Karen’s main role is to help students and parents navigate through the program requirements, and provide assistance towards reaching their goals outlined by the three pillars of the program: Academic; Financial; and Engagement. Her goal is to help students maximize their university experience.
Karen started as a Donor Gifts and Records Specialist in the Division of Advancement, where she worked with student records and UNT Donors and Alumni. She brings more than 20 years of customer service experience from her career at Southwest Airlines. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Ohio University.
Carly Hendrix Mullins
Financial Aid Senior Counselor – Loans
As a counselor, Carly helps with the awards given to students and the awards process. Carly has worked at UNT for three and a half years. She earned her MBA in Marketing in May from UNT.
Joshua Cowley
Financial Aid Counselor I
Joshua is a staff mentor for Kerr Hall with the Emerald Eagle Scholars program and Housing. He also helps manage the Emerald Eagle Suite, and process financial aid awards for Emerald Eagles. He has been employed at UNT for four years.
Andrea Breedlove
Financial Aid Counselor
Andrea is a staff mentor for Maple Hall with the Emerald Eagle Scholars program and Housing. During the day, she works in the Emerald Eagle Suite where she assists Emerald Eagles, and remains available for those living on campus if and when needed.
She started working as a counselor assistant in the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at UNT in December 2008. Andrea is currently working toward an additional bachelor’s degree at UNT. Her major is Spanish. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work from Texas Woman’s University in 2006.
Rebekah Moreno
Student Services Specialist I
Rebekah is a staff mentor for Kerr Hall with the Emerald Eagle Scholars program and Housing. She mentors students, and advises them on their financial aid status. She has worked at UNT for seven years. She also serves as an advisor for Lamdba Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and for the Interested Ladies of Lamdba Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
Krystal Antao
Emerald Eagle Advisor
Krystal is a graduate student at UNT working towards the completion of a Master’s degree in College and Career Counseling. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University in 2004. Currently, she works in the Emerald Eagle Suite as an Emerald Eagle Advisor. In addition to her work in the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships department, Krystal is a career counseling intern at the UNT Career Center, where she provides resume building advice, interviewing tips and job search strategies to students and alumni.
John Benavides
Emerald Eagle Advisor
John is a graduate student from the Washington D.C. area by way of Montgomery County, Maryland. He has a Bachelor degree in Criminology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. He is working on his Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Financial Management and plans to work as an analyst in Economic and Community Development. During his free time, John enjoys working out, reading, music, writing, and philanthropy.
Christian Rivera-Pérez
Emerald Eagle Advisor
Christian is a graduate student at UNT working towards the completion of a Ph.D. degree in Public Administration. He earned his Master’s of Science degree from Illinois State University in 2007. Currently, he works in the Emerald Eagle Suite as an Emerald Eagle Advisor. He has served as a career counselor in the Chicago area. He also has worked in grass roots advocacy in Philadelphia. Christian comes from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
Sarah Cheek
Emerald Eagle Scholar and Financial Aid Advisor
Senior, Class of 2011
Majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies EC-6 with ESL
Sarah serves as a resource for fellow Scholars to help them with financial aid, finding a campus job, maintaining their grades, communicating with housing, and providing tools to use while in classes.
One of the biggest benefits of the Emerald Eagle Scholars program is the number of resources that have opened the doors for her, Sarah said.
“I have also met one of the most influential ladies of my life, President Dr. Bataille,” Sarah said. “What she has done for this program has changed my life forever. The program has allowed me to attend the Emerald Eagle Ball two years in a row. While there, I have met many people that I can network with to help me achieve my future goals.”
When she graduates, she’d like to teach for three years and enroll in a graduate program in administration. She’d like to be an elementary school principal someday.
Kelsey Herzog
Emerald Eagle Scholar and Financial Aid Advisor
Senior, Class of 2011
Art History and Spanish major
Kelsey assists other Emerald Eagle Scholars with meeting the program requirements. She also raises awareness about the different activities and resources on campus.
The major benefit of the Emerald Eagle Scholars program is the study abroad opportunities, Kelsey said.
“…In 2008, I was part of the first Emerald Eagle study abroad trip to Thailand where I traveled all expenses paid for one month,” she said. “The other great thing is the summer grant that allows students to get ahead on classes and helps to pay for housing.”
Her future career goals include moving to Spain where she can work in an art museum. She also would like to open her own gallery someday.
Jonathan Rodriguez
Emerald Eagle Scholar and Financial Aid Advisor
Sophomore, Class of 2012
Geography major
Jonathan assists other Emerald Eagle Scholars with any issues related to financial aid, housing, academics, and campus connection activities. He keeps fellow Scholars informed about applications and job opportunities. He also tutors a couple of students.
For Jonathan, the biggest benefit of the Emerald Eagle Scholars program is the tuition and fees that are covered.
“It has helped me so much and I know none of my college goals and accomplishments would be complete without the Emerald Eagle Scholars program,” he said.
Jonathan is a member of the Emerald Eagle Scholars organization and TRIO. He is helping to form a Geography Club. He plans to become a geography professor.
Jorge Roman
Emerald Eagle Scholar and Financial Aid Advisor
Sophomore, Class of 2013
Double major in biology and philosophy
Jorge is a second year Emerald Eagle at UNT. His goal is to attend medical school after graduating from UNT to obtain an M.D and Ph.D.
Jorge is a North Texas Cheerleader and a research assistant for the UNT Sleep and Health Research Lab. Currently, Jorge is a volunteer in the Emerald Eagle Suite every week.
“It’s my way of giving back to the Emerald Eagle program," he says of his volunteer work.
Elia Santamaria
Emerald Eagle Scholar and Financial Aid Advisor
Junior, Class of 2011
Speech pathology major with a minor in Spanish
As an advisor, Elia helps other fellow Scholars by answering their questions, listening to any of their concerns, and referring them to other sources.
She chose UNT because university officials and staff were nice and friendly to her every time she called to speak to someone.
“I had looked at several other schools and had been accepted to them as well but when I called to ask them a question or when I went to take a tour of their campus, they were not very friendly,” she said. “I felt like I was just another number to them. I never felt like that here.”
Elia is involved with the Emerald Eagle Scholars Organization and TRIO. Her dream is to earn a master’s degree in speech pathology, and work in a school district helping elementary students with their speech and communication.
Megan Willis
Emerald Eagle Scholar and Financial Aid Advisor
Junior, Class of 2011
Hospitality Management major
Megan helps answer the financial aid questions that students may have as well as address any issues they face with classes and college life.She chose UNT because she wanted to major in music education.
“…But once I got here and decided to change my major, I found out that there is a lot about UNT that I love,” she said. “It’s a beautiful campus that has a more intimate environment and everyone has such pride in this university.”
After graduation, she’d like to gain experience in the event planning field before opening her own business.
