South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) is proud to announce its selection as one of the prestigious schools to join All Within My Hands' (AWMH) Metallica Scholars Initiative. The initiative continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. SLCC's inclusion signifies a significant step in providing transformative opportunities for students in the local community.
The Metallica Scholars Initiative, launched in 2019 by Metallica's foundation, AWMH, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), marks its fifth year with an ambitious expansion into new curricula. With 42 community colleges now directly supported across 33 states, the initiative has already impacted over 6,000 students pursuing careers in the trades. To date, Metallica and AWMH have invested over $6MM in the American workforce, empowering individuals to fill essential jobs requiring specialized skills and training.
"The Metallica Scholars Initiative is so important to us because we are seeing results. Five years in, with the help of community colleges across the country, we are helping people fill these essential jobs which require skills and training. We are so proud and grateful that we can facilitate this program," states Lars Ulrich, Metallica.
As part of this initiative, SLCC has been selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive $100,000, enabling the college to strengthen its career and technical education offerings at the local level. Dr. Vincent June, Chancellor of South Louisiana Community College, expresses his excitement, "We are honored and thrilled to join the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative. This generous investment reaffirms our commitment to career and technical education, providing incredible opportunities for more residents in Acadiana to move into high-demand, high-wage fields. We extend our deepest gratitude to Metallica's foundation, All Within My Hands, for their continued support and belief in the power of education to transform lives."
The Metallica Scholars Initiative has proven to be a strong and cooperative alliance of the nation's best community colleges, fostering a supportive climate for participants to communicate directly and share best practices. Peter Delgrosso, AWMH Executive Director, explains, "As a result, our Metallica Scholars leave the program well-trained and confident. Ultimately, the impact is felt locally and nationally as Metallica Scholars enter the workforce and fill in-demand technical positions."
SLCC's involvement in the Metallica Scholars Initiative reaffirms its dedication to empowering students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today's competitive job market. Each new school joining the initiative brings incredible opportunities to the community, and SLCC is excited to contribute to the success of the initiative and the bright future of its students.
The 11 schools joining MSI this year include:
- Aiken Technical College - Aiken, South Carolina
- Central Wyoming College – Riverton, Wyoming
- Columbia State Community College – Columbia, Tennessee
- Front Range Community College – Westminster, Colorado
- Itawamba Community College – Fulton, Mississippi
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College - Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Oxnard College (Ventura County Community College District) – Oxnard, California
- South Central College - North Mankato, Minnesota
- South Louisiana Community College – Lafayette, Louisiana
- Texas State Technical College – Waco, Texas
- Western Dakota Technical College - Rapid City, South Dakota
These newly added colleges are joining a roster of veteran schools invited to continue in the program. Each year, the returning colleges play an integral part in helping guide the success of the new schools.
The 31 returning schools include:
- Clark State Community College - Springfield, Ohio
- Central Community College - Grand Island, Nebraska
- Central Piedmont Community College - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Clackamas Community College - Oregon City, Oregon
- Clinton Community College - Clinton, Iowa
- College of Lake County - Grayslake, Illinois
- Columbia Gorge Community College - The Dalles, Oregon
- Community College of Baltimore County - Baltimore, Maryland
- East Central College - Union, Missouri
- Elizabethtown Community & Technical College - Elizabethtown, Kentucky
- Gateway Technical College - Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Grand Rapids Community College - Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Guilford Technical Community College - Jamestown, North Carolina
- Hudson County Community College - Jersey City, New Jersey
- Lone Star College - The Woodlands, Texas
- Middlesex Community College - Lowell, Massachusetts
- Milwaukee Area Technical College - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - Perkinston, Mississippi
- Northern Virginia Community College - Annandale, Virginia
- Northwest-Shoals Community College - Muscle Shoals, Alabama
- Pima Community College - Tucson, Arizona
- Polk State College - Winter Haven, Florida
- Rockland Community College - Suffern, New York
- Salt Lake Community College - Salt Lake City, Utah
- San Juan College – Farmington, New Mexico
- Spokane Community College - Spokane, Washington
- Valencia College - Orlando, Florida
- Victor Valley College - Victorville, California
- West Virginia University Parkersburg - Parkersburg, Wes Virginia
- Westchester Community College - Valhalla, New York
- WSU-Tech - Wichita, Kansas
What began with ten colleges and mostly manufacturing programs has developed into a diverse offering of workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers in fields and positions including:
Agriculture
Automation and Robotics
Automotive Technology
Aviation, Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
Carpentry
Computerized Manufacturing (CNC)
Construction Technology
Criminal Justice
Culinary Arts
Cybersecurity
Diesel Technology
Dental Hygiene
Electrical Engineering
EMT
Fire Technology
Healthcare
Heating & Ventilation (HVAC)
Heavy Equipment Operator
Hospitality
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Lineworker
Manufacturing & Machining
Mechanical Design
Mechatronics Engineering
Process Technology
Trucking (CDL)
Welding
Wind Energy
ABOUT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES (AACC)
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges leads, advocates, and advances the nation’s community colleges. Uniquely American, community colleges deliver educational and economic opportunities for more than 10 million diverse students annually. Dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, DC, AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support to increase economic mobility for all.
About All Within My Hands
All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization conceived by the members and management of Metallica and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the Foundation supports. As always, Metallica covers alladministrative costs. Please visit AllWithinMyHands.org for more information.