Lilyana Montes De Oca is a 4-H Program Coordinator for Unity Community Center in McLean County. Lilyana started with University of Illinois Extension for Unity Community Center as a volunteer. Lilyana has been a consistent and valued volunteer for Unity Community Center throughout her college career, including serving as an intern. Before joining University of Illinois Extension in August 2024, Lilyana served as a prevention specialist for the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, educating youth across Illinois on various topics (related to gambling prevention for youth). 

Lilyana loved her experience working at Unity, as she enjoys being a part of each child's life and helping shape them into the person they will become. Lilyana's dream growing up was to help change the community, and she started with her own town.  Lilyana is local to the Bloomington/Normal area and has graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor's in political science and a minor in peace and conflict resolution.