UHD Alumni Irene Nuñez and Ramiro Ojeda are set to tie the knot after getting engaged on the campus where they met in 2017. The couple celebrated the special night in front of friends, family, former classmates and UHD staff. We asked the couple some questions about how they met and what advice they have for other couples.

How did you all meet?

Ramiro: We met the spring semester before we studied abroad. (We traveled to the United Kingdom in May 2017 with our Intercultural Communications class. I saw her photo on the third floor of the One Main Building between the cafeteria and academic elevators. She was the current Speaker of the Senate for the Student Government Association. We actually met when she was collecting signatures for a petition when UHD was first trying to get a new gym. She asked if she could get my signature. I was being a jerk, and said "No," but she was VERY persistent about getting my signature. After she got it and left, that’s when I realized she was the girl from the photo in the hall! Like 10 minutes later, the Intercultural Communications class with Dr. Michael Wilson started, and guess who was there? Irene! I was able to get paired with her for a group project, and from there, I was able to get to know her more. 

What is your UHD connection? 

Ramiro: We both graduated from UHD in December 2018. She graduated with a B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Spanish.

Irene: I graduated with a dual degree in Political Science (B.S.) and Philosophy (B.A.)

How many years have you been together?

Ramiro: We have been together for four years and, God-willing, to infinity and beyond. 

Who made the first move or who was interested in who first?

Ramiro: I did. I was interested in her since the first time I saw her SGA photo in the main hall. She didn’t like me very much because of how I acted when she was trying to collect petition signatures. It happens! I know I was being childish.

How did the proposal happen? 

Ramiro: I was able to get her friends and family involved in the scavenger-hunt-style proposal. Then, I had five of her close friends meet and wait for us at different locations around UHD that are special to us -- from the spTot where she tried to ditch me on a date by asking if her mom could tag along, which I didn’t mind, to the park where she carried me down on her back and we watched people play in the sands by some volleyball courts.

What career did you two pursue after UHD or where do you work now? 

Ramiro: Irene pursued communications and she is the Communications Specialist & Intern Coordinator for the Harris County Clerk’s Office.She re-launched the partnership with UHD and has a communications intern from there right now! 

Irene: Ramiro is the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator for the Harris County Elections Administrators Office. He worked on a few political campaigns before deciding to work for the people that administer elections.

How did you know you wanted to spend the rest of your lives together? 

Ramiro: I knew I wanted to spend my life with Irene after seeing her photo on the third floor of the One Main Building.  

Irene: I knew when I rolled my ankle in Liverpool and he was with me every evening to help me tend to it, so that no one would notice the next day, and I didn’t get sent home. There is something special about having someone care for you without having any strings attached. He is the person I never knew I needed, and I am blessed to have him as my partner in crime.

Gator Update: Any advice to other people pursuing love? 

Irene: There should be a line of respect between the two of you. Once respect is lost, it’s kind of over. You dream and hustle together. Always bless those in your corner as well as those that aren’t. 

Ramiro: Food will help. Try not to be hard-headed… your partner wants what’s best for you both.