Blinn College student and Navy veteran sets example for daughter on his way to a college degree

Michael Martinez will graduate in December with an Associate of Science in Business

November 25, 2024

For U.S. Navy veteran and College Station resident Michael Martinez, earning his Associate of Science in Business from the Blinn College District will mark more than an educational milestone – it will demonstrate the value of education to his 10-year-old daughter, Cynthia.

Martinez took a winding path to his Blinn College degree. Born in Austin and raised in College Station, he graduated from A&M Consolidated High School in 2006 even though he admits that was not a strong student.

“I struggled in school my entire life, and studying never came naturally,” Martinez said.

After a semester at Blinn, Martinez decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy in November 2008, beginning a four-year journey that would shape his perspective on life, work, and personal growth.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do at that point, and I was working jobs that didn’t give me any sense of purpose,” he explained. “Joining the Navy felt like a way to find direction, to give myself some stability.”

Martinez served two deployments as a quartermaster, working on ship navigation during voyages to ports around the world. His role took him to places like Greece, Italy, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” Martinez said. “I was 20 years old, going months without seeing American soil, and learning about the world outside of College Station. It gave me a sense of purpose and discipline that I hadn’t had before.”

During his deployments, Martinez participated in counter-piracy operations across the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and Mediterranean, often going long stretches without seeing land.

“The work was intense, but it really taught me responsibility,” he said. “It was a totally different life — a new family, a new set of rules, a new level of accountability.”

When he left the military in 2012, Martinez set his sights on higher education, initially enrolling at Texas A&M University in the Maritime Academy. However, without a solid academic foundation, he struggled to adjust to the rigors of college life, ultimately deciding to step back and focus on building a career in operations management. Despite his setbacks, as Martinez and his wife welcomed two children, he continued to feel a strong desire to complete his education.

“I wanted to be able to tell my 10-year-old daughter that education is important and mean it,” Martinez said. “How could I tell her to stay in school and do her best if I didn’t do the same? I knew I needed to finish what I’d started.”

His motivation was rekindled when he received an email from the Department of Veterans Affairs, reminding him that he still had remaining GI Bill benefits set to expire in 2027.

“That was a wake-up call,” he said. “I realized that I still had an opportunity to go back to school, and this time, I wanted to do it right.”

Martinez re-enrolled at Blinn College in 2022, ready to approach his studies with newfound dedication. “This time, I was fully committed,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I applied myself to every class, every assignment. My academic advisor, Patricia Schipplein, was incredibly supportive and helped me map out a plan to finish my degree.”

Martinez’s hard work paid off, as he earned straight A’s in his first semester back and continued to excel through each term.

The journey has not been easy, as Martinez has balanced his studies with responsibilities at his family’s business, Manny’s Appliance Repair and Cleaning Service, where he works as an operations manager. He credits Blinn’s Business Program for giving him skills that directly apply to his work.

“The classes in accounting, QuickBooks, and business management are skills I use every day at Manny’s,” he said. “These aren’t just theoretical; they’re practical tools that I can bring into my job immediately.”

Martinez plans to re-enroll at Texas A&M University and earn his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness.

“I’m so proud to finally be completing my degree,” he said. “My daughter has seen me work hard, study late into the night, and stay focused on my goals. Seeing her watch me graduate is going to be an unforgettable moment for me.”

As a featured speaker at Blinn’s fall commencement ceremony, Martinez hopes to leave his classmates with a message about the transformative power of education.

“Education opens doors,” he said. “It’s not just about getting a job; it’s about developing the skills and knowledge that help you stand out in life. I want my story to show others that it’s never too late to start over and pursue your dreams.”

Blinn’s Associate of Science in Business offers a strong foundation in core business principles, including management, accounting, and economics. The program prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities or for transferring to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree. For more information about Blinn’s AS in Business, visit www.blinn.edu/business.