Request Information
Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.
Have Questions? We have answers.
Contact UsTurning Adversity into Artistry: How MSU Denver Empowered Lillian Pérez to Create, Inspire, and Lead
headshot of lillian perez
When Lillian Pérez (’20) arrived at MSU Denver, she was searching for more than a degree; she was looking for a community that believed in possibility as fiercely as she did. What she found was a university that not only opened doors but stood beside her through some of the most defining moments of her life.
“MSU Denver opened up an array of connections and creativity in the early stages of adulthood that created an everlasting impact on the woman I became and am still evolving to be,” Lillian says. “Possibilities are endless, and I needed the right community around me that believed it too.”
Finding Strength Through Support
The second semester of her freshman year, Lillian became an independent student and experienced homelessness while continuing to pursue her studies full-time. Despite immense challenges, she found unwavering support from MSU Denver’s faculty and staff.
“Had it not been for Dr. Vannucci, who not only was my favorite professor but also a strong emotional support pillar during my homelessness, I would not have been the first in my family to obtain a college degree,” she reflects.
It was this combination of academic rigor and human compassion that helped Lillian persist. MSU Denver’s commitment to access and student success ensured she had the resources, mentorship, and belief she needed to keep moving forward.
From Campus to Creativity
During her time at MSU Denver, Lillian studied Event and Meeting Management, with a minor in Entrepreneurship and a double minor in Theater, a combination that reflected her boundless creativity and curiosity. Her study abroad experience in the Czech Republic expanded her worldview, introducing her to the global business and hospitality industries.
She also honed her communication skills through Met Media, where she launched her podcast Girl Talk Real Talk in 2019, an outlet for storytelling, empowerment, and real conversations.
Building a Career from Resilience
Graduating in 2020, Lillian entered a world turned upside down by the pandemic, a particularly difficult time for those in hospitality and live events. But she relied on one of the most valuable lessons she learned at MSU Denver: adaptability.
“You wouldn’t be an event producer without mastering the greatest skill of improvisation,” she says.
When her live events agency pivoted to virtual productions, Lillian rose to the challenge—spearheading the creative department and helping bring hundreds of virtual events to life. Later, she transitioned into wedding planning, producing more than 200 weddings before launching her own business, Lilly Posted It, in 2023. As an Event Content Creator, she now blends her love of storytelling, social media, and event design to help clients capture their most meaningful moments.
Staying True to Her Mission
Through every stage of her journey, Lillian has embodied the MSU Denver mission: transforming passion into purpose, and adversity into opportunity.
“When I think about my time at MSU Denver, it truly was the beginning of honing my craft, which is public speaking. The true art of my creativity and hospitality is conveyed through my poetry, preaching, and podcasting,” she says.
For Lillian, the relationships she built at MSU Denver continue to serve as inspiration. “I still keep in touch with classmates who are doing amazing things in hospitality all over the United States,” she says. “Knowing I can travel and find a fellow alum working in some of the greatest venues is one of the coolest aspects of being a Roadrunner.”
Words to Inspire Future Roadrunners
“I have failed more times than people have tried,” Lillian says. “Don’t be afraid to be rejected. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. Take all the risks, make all the errors, and ask all the questions. Your older self will thank you for those experiences, they make you wiser and lead to good stories.”
From couch surfing to content creation, from student leader to business owner, Lillian Pérez represents the heart of MSU Denver’s mission: empowering students from all walks of life to transform their dreams into reality.