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Campus Life

Husband and Wife are Incoming Students

July 15, 2022

Liliana Barron and Manuel Barron-Nava with family at UC Merced campus.

Liliana Barron and Manuel Barron-Nava, the husband and wife teaming joining UC Merced.

Photo by Veronica Adrovar

A well-timed email — and possibly fate —played a role in a local couples' decision to enroll in UC Merced this year. Liliana Barron was pursuing a psychology major at UC Merced, but  left after two years to marry Manuel Barron-Nava and start their family. Barron has been busy working part-time and taking care of their two daughters, while Barron-Nava has been working full time in manufacturing and attending Merced College part time.

Now that their oldest daughter is beginning school this fall, Barron started searching for a full-time job to help support her family. She was thinking about returning to school but didn’t know how. “I don’t know if it was destiny or what, but I received the email about the Degree Completion Program at UC Merced," Barron said. "I think it was meant to be. I think I’m supposed to return to school.”

After finishing her psychology degree, she plans to work in social services and one day earn her master’s in hospital services. Barron-Nava is transferring in to pursue his degree in mechanical engineering, a natural career goal his current employer supports as he continues to work as a project engineer.

Barron's family already has strong ties to UC Merced. Her brother was the first in the family to attend UC Merced, and her sister is a current Bobcat.

While it will be a challenge with both parents going to school, working, and raising a family, they’ve already been juggling their schedules and know this time will go quickly. They’re looking forward to the support UC Merced offers returning students; in particular, the personalized support for Degree Completion Program students. They will also check out the Early Childhood Education Center on campus for childcare options for their youngest daughter.

Perhaps, one day, their daughters will join the Bobcat family, too.

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