Meet Lilliana Escobar, a Junior majoring in Agricultural and Applied Economics, who serves as a Senator representing CISO in the Undergraduate Student Senate. Lilliana was inspired to join the Senate to represent CISO and ensure that the voices of international and multicultural student organizations are heard in campus decision-making. Her favorite part about serving in the Senate is being able to represent her organization and vote on changes that impact the entire undergraduate student body. During her time in the Senate, Lilliana has enjoyed engaging with new people and collaborating with members of other student organizations to improve the student experience at Virginia Tech. Looking ahead, she hopes to implement positive changes that enhance both student life and learning across campus. To stay connected with the students she represents, Lilliana hosts coffee chats with CISO members and regularly connects with students in her community to hear their thoughts and ideas. To her, leadership isn’t just about being first or giving direction; it’s about listening, collaborating, and helping others grow. One of her most memorable experiences as a senator has been working alongside her organization and committee to create a meaningful impact. She believes her resilience and strong communication skills are her greatest strengths, especially when it comes to bridging differences and uniting people toward a common goal. Balancing Senate duties with other commitments can be challenging, but Lilliana stays organized using messaging apps, reminders, and careful coordination with her peers. Lilliana wants students to know that the Senate isn’t only for students, it’s a resource that works to improve the entire Blacksburg community. Her favorite things about Virginia Tech are football games and the beautiful campus during the fall. Her advice to anyone interested in joining the Senate? “Listen more than you speak.”