Team
Veronica Briceno
Enrollment & Retention Specialist
What is your role at Merced College?
As an Enrollment & Retention Specialist, I serve as the Retention Specialist for the School of Business, supporting students throughout their educational journey and connecting them with resources that help them stay on track toward their goals. I also host workshops at high schools, assisting students with CCAP and K-12 enrollment and helping graduating seniors make the transition from high school to college. Through the workshops, I guide students through the enrollment process and help make college feel more accessible and less overwhelming. Whether I am working with a current student or someone just beginning to consider college, my goal is to make sure they feel supported, informed, and confident about their next steps.
What part of your job do you enjoy most?
What I enjoy most about my job is showing people that college is an option, no matter where they come from or what their circumstances may be. Sometimes students don’t see themselves as “college students” because no one in their family has attended college or because of obstacles they have faced. I love being able to meet students where they are, help them navigate those barriers, and show them possibilities they may not have considered for themselves. Seeing a student go from unsure about college to realizing “I can do this” is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
Tell us about yourself. What brought you to Merced College?
My parents are originally from Brawley, a small border community in Southern California. After spending a season working in the fields in Planada, they came to Merced, enjoyed the people, culture, and community, and decided to make it home. I was born and raised on the south side of Merced and originally planned to join the military after high school, but becoming a young mother gave me a new perspective on what I wanted for my future. My mom encouraged me to continue my education and helped me take that first step. I enrolled at Merced College, focused on creating opportunities for myself and my family, never imagining that years later I would build a career here helping other students do the same.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, most of my time is centered around my family. I love being outdoors, whether it’s taking a day trip, visiting a park, going for a walk, exploring somewhere new, or simply enjoying time outside with the people I love. I also enjoy family gatherings and making memories with my children, grandchild, extended family, and friends. Family has always been an important part of who I am, so some of my favorite moments are simply when we’re all together.
Which of Merced College’s core values resonates most with you personally, and why?
Student Engagement & Support, Inclusivity, and Collaboration resonate with me the most, because they reflect how I approach my work with students. Inclusivity is especially important to me, because every student should feel that higher education is a place where they belong, regardless of their background, circumstances, or where they started. Student Engagement & Support means meeting students where they are and helping them identify the resources and opportunities available to them. Collaboration is equally important because it truly takes a team to help our students be successful no single person or department can do it alone. When we work collectively and put students at the center of what we do, we can make a much greater impact.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally, and how does your background shape the way you connect with and support students?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time when I feel like our stories, families, culture, and contributions are seen and celebrated. It also reminds me to reconnect with my roots and reflect on where my family started and how far we’ve come. My background has shaped how I connect with students, because many of their experiences feel familiar to me. I understand what it’s like when college isn’t necessarily the path you originally pictured for yourself. I’ve been told that I speak genuinely and “keep it real,” and I think students appreciate knowing that the person helping them understands that life doesn’t always follow a perfect plan. I want students to see that where you start does not determine where you can go.
Tell us about your ties to South Merced, and your perspective on Merced College’s new presence in the area.
South Merced has always been home to me. Growing up on “the West” shaped who I am, and I continue to have strong connections to the family, friends, and community there. Merced College’s presence in South Merced represents opportunity and most importantly, access! Meeting people where they are and making education, resources, and opportunities more visible and attainable within the community may be exactly the opportunity someone needs to take that next step. My hope is that the South Merced Center becomes a place that opens doors and helps us collectively move forward as Mercedians, strengthening our community and creating better outcomes for future generations.
