Lilliana Benitez

Lilliana Benitez is a music major with an emphasis in music education education and an instrumental area of study (euphonium) from McHenry, IL

Hometown: McHenry, IL

High School: McHenry Community High School

Year: Expected graduation: Fall 2027

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I received a $1,000 Legacy Scholarship because my mother is an NIU alum. I received an $8,000 ($2,000 each year for four years) scholarship from the School of Music from the faculty, which was said to be based on their evaluation of my potential for success in the program. Lastly, I’ve received four Huskie Marching Band Housing Scholarships each year of varying amounts. These have all helped me attend NIU tremendously. I’ve been especially lucky to receive the housing scholarship from the marching band. Without it, affording housing would be much harder on me and my family. In general, these scholarships have greatly improved my ability to afford to attend NIU.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I always knew from the moment I stepped into my first class as a student that I wanted to be a teacher one day. I can’t recall a time in my childhood when I didn’t dream of being a teacher in some way or another. It started with dance when I was really little. I loved dance and wanted to teach dance forever. Then I started school for real. I loved everything about school. I formed such good relationships with my teachers, and I loved the idea of being able to support others. I used to be incredibly invested in my science classes, and for a brief moment I really thought I might be able to be an astronaut, but that didn’t last long, and I landed on being a science teacher when I grew up. Although that’s not exactly what I ended up pursuing, I am fulfilling my lifelong commitment to becoming an educator. It took me a long time to discover where my heart was and what I wanted to teach. The closer I got to making my dream a reality, I knew music education was the right way for me to go. For a while on my music journey, I hadn’t considered being a music teacher, but in high school I got the opportunity to do so, and it changed my life. The study of music is my greatest passion, and I’m honored to be able to be so close to completing this goal.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am majoring in music with an emphasis in music education and an instrumental area of study (euphonium). I decided to take this course of study because playing, learning and teaching music has had the most incredible, almost indescribable, impact on my life. Every single one of my lesson teachers and band directors have been my top support system throughout my late teen to young adult life. I have never been more inspired by someone than my music teachers/mentors. They have encouraged and continue to encourage me to strive higher and higher and have helped me grow into who I am today. I never knew and would’ve never known what I was truly capable of if I didn’t trust them and what they saw in me. Music and the people within it have brought an incredible purpose to my life, and I want to bring that kind of inspiration to the next generation of musicians for many years to come.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I love the campus, it feels like my true home. I was afraid as a freshman that I might feel out of place or get extremely homesick, but I’ve lived the complete opposite. Sometimes I feel like NIU and DeKalb are more my home than my own home. I also found it incredibly easy to make friends within my major and outside of my major as well. Some of my closest NIU friends are people I would’ve never met if it wasn’t for being in the right place at the right time, which is here!

How did the CHANCE Program help with your transition into NIU?
I really appreciated having my CHANCE Program counselor alongside my academic advisor. It definitely eased my mind coming into university life to have the extra helping hand to guide me and give me the resources I needed to be successful in school. My counselor helped me enroll in the classes I needed to be in, and she would have meetings with me to check in on how I was doing in all my classes. Also, having a class with her as my teacher helped me gain a sense of familiarity that I needed at the time. It really made me feel at peace and settled in at NIU.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I’ve used social media platforms and gotten fellow peers’ phone numbers so we can all communicate on group projects, general studying, asking for advice, etc. From working in those groups, I’ve formed friendships with many of my peers that I wouldn’t know had it not been for being put in a group together. Actually reaching out and being proactive about not only the academic side of things, but also gaining their respect and friendship was important to me.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am a very proud fourth-year member of the Huskie Marching Band, which has been the number one contributor to my unforgettable time here at NIU. It has given me so many unbelievable opportunities, friendships and memories. Huskie pride is thriving and flows through the band with energy and enthusiasm. Being in “The Pride of the Midwest” has been the greatest honor of my life, and I am forever lucky to be a member. I have also been a proud brother of the Kappa Nu chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Service Fraternity, for four years now. Kappa Kappa Psi has been one of the leading contributors to my endless Huskie pride. As brothers, we form indescribable bonds with each other through our projects and serving the music community. My time at NIU wouldn’t be half as incredible if it wasn’t for my dear brothers. Lastly, I am so lucky to say that I am also a sister of the Alpha chapter of Sigma Lambda Sigma Service Sorority. While I only joined the sorority a semester ago, it has completely changed the trajectory of the rest of my time here at NIU in the best way possible. Sig Lambs is a sorority exclusively founded and operated at NIU. That is the deepest connection to the university and how happy I am to be a Huskie. Without NIU I wouldn’t be a part of the most unique group of incredible women who work tirelessly to support the community all around campus and DeKalb. I’ve found my forever family with these women. My experience as a Huskie because of these organizations has been the absolute best, and I couldn’t ask for anything better.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
I’ve been really impressed by the Title IX office. They come by the School of Music to give presentations that have actively encouraged and helped my fellow peers in years past. I believe every college should have them give presentations because they really are doing a great job making Huskies feel safer on campus. I’ve also utilized the Health Services here very often. This resource has been very important to me, and I’ve felt so supported through everything. They’ve helped me be as good as I can be while I’m at my home-away-from-home.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite professors has to be Dr. Thomas Bough, director of Huskie Athletic Bands and Concert Bands here at NIU. Dr. Bough has shown never-ending support to me and has been motivating me nonstop since I started school at NIU. He is always pushing me to work harder, to get better and be the best musician I can be. I truly value and appreciate everything he has taught me and every opportunity he has given me in my time here. I will carry everything I’ve learned and my experience as a student of his forever.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I feel so accomplished after attending class. It gives me so much motivation and momentum, and at the end of the day I can be super proud of myself for the work I completed. I love being able to feel at ease knowing I’m putting my best foot forward.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus has to be the East Lagoon! It’s so beautiful at any time of the year, and since I live so close to it, I can go and enjoy the view and just be. I also love when school events happen there. I love seeing everyone enjoy the space and get to really come together as a community.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
I would say to visit the school(s) and get a feel for what life would be like there. Distance from home, walking times from building to building, what the dorms are like, etc., are all crucial when deciding where to go. I knew I wanted to apply to NIU, and since my mom is an alum, I was able to really get to know the area and everything it offered from getting tours and having my mom show me around the way she used to. I think knowing your personal needs and what you’re going to need to succeed away from home is super important.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because it opens the door to the career I’ve dreamt of practically my whole life. For anybody, a college education will drastically increase their career opportunities. I also think it opens the door to a lot of personal growth. Being in college can add many new responsibilities and opportunities for an individual that can help them become more independent and build a network of peers and mentors that will last a lifetime.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I use calendars to manage my extracurricular activities and my groups. I almost always use my free time to catch up with friends or take care of myself and my chores. I like to go eat with my friends the most because I’m taking care of my needs while also maintaining my friendships. It’s so fun to go to the dining hall with a friend or two! I also always call my mom at least once a day. I always need to hear from my mom to have a good day. This usually happens in the morning and/or before I go to sleep. I usually don’t do midday calls because of classes.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I follow NIU on social media to stay in the know about what events are happening around campus. I also frequently check the NIU events calendar on the school website.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I like to stay in my room and watch movies on my iPad and eat snacks. I also really love playing Nintendo games. I brought my Wii to school so I could play in my room; I have so many games. I also recently started playing games on my 3DS, which has been super fun for me. Lastly of course, the classic nap. If it’s midday, I’m most likely taking a power nap between my afternoon classes.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I love to paint! I’m a very crafty person, and I love making trinkets and things. I also crochet a lot — I’m self-taught, and I’m very proud. I’m also a Lego collector, so when I’m on school breaks at home I’ll be building set after set, and eventually I’ll run out of space to put them all!