She answers numerous phone lines, directs prospective students' phone calls and researches information for frantic parents.  Information operator Leesa Garcia in the telecommunications department is definitely busy with the start of a new academic year.

"It's always challenging to keep abreast of new information about the university," she says. "We spend a lot of time answering future students' questions and directing them to the right person or place."

Garcia says the last weeks in August before school started were a busy time for her and her co-workers. "We got a lot of telephone calls about Freshman Orientation, registration and even some housing questions.  My job as an information operator is to get the telephone call to the professor, department or other area of the university to find answers to the caller's questions," she says.

Garcia says she loves "helping the students and working with people each day."

"I talk with many people during the day and I am always learning new things about the university," she says.

Although she enjoys her work at UNT, Garcia says her dream job would be to work as a veterinarian.

"I love animals and any kind of animal touches an emotional string in my heart," she says. "I have a miniature Chihuahua and a schnauzer; they are definitely my babies."

Garcia says her dogs are waiting to play when she comes home at night.

"They are always ready to go for a walk or just sit with me while I relax," she says.  Between taking care of her dogs and working full time at UNT, Garcia also finds time for another hobby.           

She has a hidden passion for writing children's books. 

"I have an interest in writing children's stories with a religious background," she says.

Garcia has already completed one story and says many of her ideas stem from religious experiences. 

"In 1985 I toured Israel with a church group," she says. "The trip gave me an insight to a different world and culture — something different than how we live in America."

Not only does Garcia like to write, but she also dreams of traveling to different places across the world one day.

"I want to go to Africa for a safari because I want to see all the wild animals in their natural habitats," she says. "Rome and all of Italy would also be interesting to visit; they have so much history."

Garcia's hobbies don't stop there. She also enjoys teaching aerobics, water aerobics and various other fitness classes. She received her personal trainer certificate in 1992.

"I am not teaching right now, but I really love to stay fit and physically active," she says. "My knowledge of fitness has enabled me to help others achieve their workout and diet goals. To me, motivation is always the key to success."