Jonathan Huddleston did not come to EICC looking for a fresh start. He came with experience, direction, and a clear reason for being here.
A U.S. Marine veteran, Huddleston spent more than 20 years working in the oil field, managing projects across Africa, the Middle East, Russia, the Mediterranean, the North Sea, and Latin America. His career took him around the world before bringing him to Muscatine.
After a heart attack and medical reevaluation through the VA, Huddleston was encouraged to find part-time work and consider returning to school as part of his long-term health plan. At 47, he enrolled in the Agribusiness Management AAS program at the Muscatine campus.
“It was a little intimidating coming back at my age and sitting next to students younger than my kids,” he said. “But the drive was there. I wanted to do something that mattered to me.”
That decision came with real financial considerations. Huddleston receives VA benefits, but those benefits do not cover the full cost of being a student. Iowa’s Last-Dollar Scholarship helped bridge the gap.
“The VA only covers so much,” he said. “I still have expenses like printer ink, paper, supplies, rent, electricity, everyday life. Every little bit helps.”
For Huddleston, the scholarship was not a bonus. It was practical support that allows him to stay enrolled while balancing coursework, part-time work, medical appointments, and family responsibilities.
He chose Agribusiness Management with intention. Agriculture has been part of his life since childhood. His grandparents raised dairy and beef cattle. His children showed livestock. Huddleston has a long-term plan to build a small, sustainable cattle operation focused on quality genetics and responsible management.
“I want to do this the right way. I’m not interested in the commercial side. I want to know my animals, understand the genetics, and build something sustainable,” he said.
The program covers business fundamentals and applied science, and students can complete up to three paid internships. Huddleston’s internship with Nutrien Ag Solutions has given him hands-on experience in fertilizer, chemistry, and crop inputs, areas he said genuinely interest him.
“It’s not about titles anymore. It’s about getting up, doing the work, and building something that fits where I’m at in life,” he said.
While at EICC, Huddleston also navigated the loss of his father to pancreatic cancer. He credits faculty and staff with helping him stay on track during extended absences while holding him to clear expectations.
When he graduates at 49, Huddleston will do so with a high GPA, a defined plan, and a degree that represents more than a credential.
“I told my dad I was going to do this before he got sick,” he said. “He told me, ‘Kick ass and do it.’ So I am.”
For Huddleston, the value of financial support is simple. It does not remove obstacles. It helps him move through them.
“I’m grateful for any assistance,” he said. “Because it helps with everyday life. And without that, it’s a lot harder to keep going.”
Learn more about the Last-Dollar Scholarship at eicc.edu/lastdollar.