February 26, 2025
Story by Joe Vinduska
Courtesy photo submitted
Being an active-duty member of the military equates to a hectic lifestyle, and oftentimes, soldiers are so preoccupied with their daily tasks and training that getting a college education is the last thing on their minds, but even with his schedule full of military obligations, Isaias Hernandez graduated with his associate degree from Barton Community College at Fort Riley in December.
“Barton Community College is extremely military-friendly due to its extensive experience working with military personnel,” he said. “The entire staff knows the lifestyle and what to expect and is more than open to working with a military schedule. This helped me choose Barton because I knew no matter what phase of training I was in, I wouldn’t have to worry as much as I might have to somewhere else, where the military life is like a foreign language to them.”
Hernandez is pursuing his dream of becoming a lawyer and utilized Barton’s LSEC program to knock out his associate degree. Active-duty soldiers, their dependents, and Department of Defense employees can take advantage of the program at no cost, which makes it a no-brainer for anyone who fits into these categories and is looking to start their educational journey.
“The affordability of pursuing my education while active duty with Barton was remarkable,” he said. “The advisors emphasized the importance of applying for financial aid and ensuring that my Army Ignited was complete before enrolling in classes. This approach provided me with the guidance and reassurance I needed to feel comfortable knowing I didn’t do something wrong.”
Hernandez said he is working on his bachelor’s degree in finance and plans to apply to law school. He then wants to climb the ranks and eventually open his own law firm but said he will always be grateful for Barton helping him take that first step.
“My experience at Barton was the ideal scenario,” he said. “My teachers were incredibly friendly and genuinely motivated to teach their students. I have personally recommended Barton Community College to a few friends who are considering taking classes and have received nothing but positive feedback from them. Barton is an excellent option for anyone seeking a degree or certificate, especially those who are active duty or have a demanding lifestyle.”
Visit lsec.bartonccc.edu for more information.