June 2, 2026
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska
Barton Online student Enedina "Nina" Espinoza has worn many hats throughout her life, including mother and military spouse. Recently, she added graduate to the list when she walked across the stage at Barton’s commencement ceremony in May to receive her associate degree. Her journey to that moment was anything but short.
Espinoza has been living in Japan with her husband and child due to a military deployment, but decided not to let that be an excuse to not keep working towards the future she wanted.
“Earning this degree means more to me than words can fully express,” she said. “Growing up, I was often told that I probably would not even graduate high school, let alone attend college. For a long time, those words made my dreams feel out of reach. Standing where I am today, after years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance, proves to me that I was capable of far more than others believed. What once felt impossible has now become reality, and this degree represents not only an accomplishment but a reminder that determination and resilience can overcome even the greatest doubts.”
While many military spouses put their lives on hold to support the enlisted member, Espinoza knew she could depend on her husband to contribute to her aspirations at the same time.
“My husband’s support has meant everything to me throughout this journey,” she said. “To my fellow military spouses, just because we are supporting our spouses’ dreams does not mean we have to put our own dreams aside,” she said. “Keep working toward your goals and never stop believing in yourself.”
Barton holds Military Friendly Gold status, and Espinoza felt that firsthand.
“Barton stood out because they were flexible and able to work with my schedule and needs while living abroad,” she said. “It was very easy to navigate. Barton’s online system made the whole process smooth and accessible even while living overseas.”
While her family supported her as much as they could, Espinoza knew her determination was what she would ultimately need to use to get her across the stage.
“During some of the hardest and most exhausting moments, I stayed motivated by thinking about the life I wanted to create for my child and family,” she said. “I wanted to build a future where my son could look back and see that his mother never gave up on her dreams, no matter how difficult the journey became. Knowing that my hard work and education could someday provide stability, opportunities, and a better future for my family gave me the strength to keep pushing forward, even when things felt impossible.”
After a 12-hour flight from Japan and a four-hour drive from Kansas City, Espinoza saw the light at the end of the tunnel as she arrived in Great Bend to prepare for the commencement ceremony.
“I was overwhelmed with a mix of excitement, pride, and nervousness when I finally arrived on campus,” she said. “After spending years seeing Barton only through a computer screen and pictures, walking through campus in person made everything feel incredibly real. Picking up my cap and gown was such an emotional moment because it reminded me of every sacrifice, sleepless night, and challenge I had overcome to reach this point.”
Espinoza is now one step closer to reaching her goal of becoming a radiology technician.
“There are truly no words to fully express my gratitude for the support I received from Barton’s staff throughout my educational journey,” she said. “I’m incredibly thankful for all of their time, patience, and dedication.”
For more information, visit bartonccc.edu.