Meet Our Recruitment Team!

These staff members in the Office of Recruitment are Texas Tech-CR’s welcome team!
Contact them to learn all about our campus, our academic programs, and how to apply.
Get in touch!

Patricia Bernal

Recruitment Lead
I came to Costa Rica from Venezuela at the age of 12 and fell in love with this country! At the University of Costa Rica, I earned a degree in English teaching, and during the pandemic I built my own tutoring business. I learned a lot doing that, and I’m proud that I helped every single one of my students in a personalized way. I also love the adrenaline of performing on aerial silks. I can do crazy tricks and drops!

As Texas Tech-Costa Rica, I lead the Student Recruitment department. Our aim is to be the very best advisors that we can be for both local and international students. We provide guidance from the first second you show interest in Texas Tech University to your letter of admission and welcome. (And unofficially, we will be there for you forever and ever after that.)

Ana Victoria Balma

Recruitment Specialist
My name is Ana Vicky, and I came to Texas Tech University in 2023. I work in recruitment because I  believe in the university. I have seen many students here. They are determined, ambitious, and curious.

Being patient is one of my superpowers. My university degree is in Early Childhood Education, and I helped to rear three children into happy, successful adults. I am also a marathon runner. In 2024, I will run my eighth marathon.

Daniela Hernández

Recruitment Specialist
My name is Dani, and I got my degree in Spain, at Universidad Europea de Madrid. I studied Translation and Intercultural Communication.

I love dogs, and I want to believe they love me too. I like to spend my time hanging out with my loved ones (including dogs). Besides pets, I would call myself a people person. That’s why I work in recruitment, welcoming students to learn more about Texas Tech.

One of my proudest achievements is moving to a different continent without knowing anyone when I was 23. I’m very grateful to have had the experience to study and work there for a long time!

Emiliano Sayago

Recruitment Specialist
Hi! I’m Emi. I'm half Costa Rican and half Colombian, and I have lived most of my life in San Jose. I'm part of TTU’s Recruitment Team, where I get to meet new people and visit new schools. I get to help students decide their home for the next four years. I really enjoy what I do, and in general I am a people person. 

One of my proudest achievements was being able to obtain my soccer coach’s license in Barcelona. It was a very demanding but amazing experience. I met a lot of people and experienced the life of a soccer coach while living in the wonderful (and soccer-obsessed) city of Barcelona.