Metallica Scholars Year Two
AUGUST 11, 2020
In January of this year, we told you that we’re proud to be supporting a second year of the Metallica Scholars Initiative, and while things hit pause in the spring, the Scholars are in full swing again. In a year of so much uncertainty, we’re thrilled that the program is not just continuing, but is growing as we expanded from ten to 15 schools with All Within My Hands contributing a total of $1.5 million in grants supporting community colleges and their career and technical education programs. The list of participating schools is below, including our five additions.
Created in 2019 through a partnership between AWMH and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), ten colleges from communities that supported Metallica during the band's recent U.S. tours were selected, with each receiving $100,000 toward programs designed to support students training to enter the American workforce. This incredible inaugural year resulted in more than 700 first-wave Metallica Scholars with an overall 80-90% program completion rate, and a 93% job placement for those who completed their certifications/studies!
As before, the AACC will be by our side guiding us in year two, and we’ve been fortunate to have the addition of matching grants from new partners, including Michigan-based Wolverine Footwear and Apparel. Three schools (Grand Rapids Community College, Lone Star College, and WSU-Tech) will each receive a $100,000 joint grant from Wolverine and Metallica Scholars. And to support all Metallica Scholars students across the country, Wolverine is also sending boots and clothing to students at all 15 community colleges receiving Metallica Scholars grants. To learn more about the Wolverine and AWMH partnership, please visit Wolverine.com/projectbootstrap.
Finally, as we continue to expand the program, we want to thank you for all your support via our GoFundMe sweepstakes. Recently James’ handmade coffee tables generated over $75,000, and those kind donations will benefit current Scholars initiatives at Clackamas Community College, North Idaho College, and College of Lake County, all with metalworking curricula.
Best of luck to the 2020 Metallica Scholars; we can’t wait to hear about your successes!
New Metallica Scholars Schools:
- Alvin Community College, Texas
- Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, Kentucky
- Polk State College, Florida
- Valencia College, Florida
- Westchester Community College, New York
Returning Metallica Scholars Schools:
- Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, Oregon
- College of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois
- Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
- Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Lone Star College, The Woodlands, Texas
- North Idaho College, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
- Spokane Community College, Spokane, Washington
- Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, Kansas
