One might think that Jacob Jones’ life flows from the pages of Dr. Seuss’ book Oh, The Places You’ll Go.
So far, the 2020 DMACC grad has travelled far — physically, intellectually, graciously — from his small hometown of Redfield to Des Moines and Ames; Washington, D.C.; South Bend, Indiana; and as of Fall 2026, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to study at Harvard Law School.
Jacob’s story, however, could be more aptly titled, Oh, The Incredible Things You Can Do.
Hard-working, determined, and a relentlessly positive first-generation college student, Jacob took advantage of the opportunities presented to him, listened to his mentors and his inner voice, and gave it his “best shot” – every time.
Jacob grew up in a family with a strong work ethic, but not necessarily college-going roots. His grandmother earned nursing credentials, and his mother became a skilled ultrasound sonographer; his father didn’t attend college and works as a butcher in a nearby grocery store. One grandfather served in the Navy in Vietnam and drove school and charter buses upon his return.
Until his older brother graduated from DMACC, Jacob had minimal exposure to higher education pathways. He recalls teachers at West Central Valley High School often talked about going to college in a “financially savvy way.”
As a teen, Jacob was curious. Could he go to college? Where could he go? And how would he pay for it?
West Central Valley to DMACC
The answers began to take shape Jacob when he learned about the dual-enrollment partnership between West Central Valley and DMACC, which allowed students to earn college credit at no cost. Eager to explore the opportunity, he enrolled in dual-credit courses and supplemented with additional DMACC Online classes.
By the time Jacob graduated from high school, he had a semester of college credit under his belt.
Even then, Jacob wasn't entirely sure what came next. “I applied to some schools, but I knew it was going to cost money,” he recalls. “I knew that with DMACC, I could enroll full time and work a couple jobs to pay off the tuition, and I wouldn't have to take out any loans.”
Continuing at DMACC offered a practical path forward. Jacob could earn an associate degree, save money, and transfer later to complete a bachelor's degree. To him, it was simply the most “financially savvy” option.
He graduated from high school on a Saturday in May 2019 and reported to DMACC for his first day of summer classes that Monday, diving immediately into a nine-credit course load.
For a year and a half, Jacob commuted from his parents’ home in Redfield, where he worked as a cashier at the grocery store on the weekends. Eventually, he became a closing night shift manager.
“I would do my DMACC classes during the day, go to work and do the closing shift. On the weekends, I would help my dad,” Jacob said.
“I was real scrappy back then,” he added, with amusement.
When August 2020 rolled around, Jacob had amassed enough credits for two DMACC degrees – an Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS). He had, by then, taken classes at three DMACC campuses (West Des Moines, Urban, Ankeny), followed his joint interests of theatre (nurtured by Theatre Program chair Carl Linberg) and political science, joined DMACC’s Improv Club, auditioned for Guys and Dolls – and quickly pivoted to a world altered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DMACC to ISU
While in high school, Jacob once asked his band instructor, Josh Kassmeyer, why he had gone to college to become a teacher. The answer stayed with him: “I went to school to follow the things I was interested in.”
As Jacob considered his next step after DMACC, he found himself returning to that simple advice. Looking for clues about what interested him most, he kept coming back to two passions that had followed him throughout high school: performing arts and government.
So, when he transferred to Iowa State University in August 2020, Jacob chose to pursue both, studying Political Science and Performing Arts while navigating the many disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As campus life gradually returned, Jacob immersed himself in every opportunity he could find. He performed in seven ISU theater productions, appeared in a Playhouse show in Des Moines, and completed an internship with Iowa PBS. Just two years after transferring, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in May 2022.
Once again, following his interests had opened unexpected doors.
The World …and Harvard Await
After graduation, Jacob’s first stop was an internship in the video department for the Democratic Attorneys General Association in Washington, DC.
“I got to see how attorneys general operate and how they enforce the law,” he said.
Then he secured a position with PBS Michiana in South Bend where he helped produce public affairs and performing arts programming,
“I found the one job in America in which I could use both degrees!” he said, jokingly.
One of Jacob's PBS projects told the story of a local wood shop that makes coffins and caskets for families in need. The experience reinforced something he’d discovered throughout college and his early career: ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things in service of others. Seeing those community-focused efforts firsthand further fueled his desire to earn a law degree and pursue a career in public service. It was evidence of “phenomenal work,” Jacob said, and reminded him “the incredible things you can do” in service to the community.
So, Jacob studied hard and took the LSAT. His goal wasn’t an LSAT score good enough for Harvard; it was the best score HE could get and knowing he tried his absolute best.
He scored high and applied to more than 20 schools.
“I left nothing on the table,” he recalled, “and though I knew it was an uphill battle, I sent my application in [to Harvard] anyway.”
This past spring, Harvard said “yes.”
An Incredible Journey
While Jacob had other choices of law schools to attend, the Harvard name speaks for itself, he said. Beyond the prestige, the myriad opportunities for hands-on experience in the community excites him most.
“I'm interested in public service and community-oriented work, whether that’s working for a state attorneys general, the Department of Justice, a local county prosecutor, a nonprofit,” he said ahead of his first semester at Harvard.
“I'm again taking my band instructor’s advice to study what I enjoy.”
Jacob believes there’s a benefit being a DMACCC grad, especially at top schools looking for people with unique experiences.
“Working your way through community college and undergrad and then getting work experience shows you're a good candidate. I'm very lucky,” Jacob said. “Options are not limited when you're a student at Harvard Law School.”
Or when you’re a student at DMACC, his journey demonstrates.
Jacob’s advice to other Bears on unique trails to success:
“Don't ever count yourself out.”
Bear Trails highlights unique journeys of DMACC students, alumni, faculty, and staff, celebrating their diverse experiences and inspiring paths.
Have a story idea? Contact Savannah Eadens, Public Relations & Communications Specialist, at sjeadens@dmacc.edu or 515-675-3275.