[SPOKANE, Wash.] Spokane Community College (SCC) is the only college in the state of Washington to be a Metallica Scholars institution. Rock band Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, is renewing its commitment to SCC, helping hundreds of students.
SCC is one of 10 original Metallica Scholars institutions and one of 31 colleges in the country that was invited to return for a fifth year. Funds will go to enhancing career and technical education programs. SCC will also play an integral role in helping to guide the success of 11 new colleges that will be joining the MSI program.
“We are grateful to be continuing our relationship as a founding Metallica Scholars Initiative institution and to continue expanding access to higher education,” said SCC Acting President Jenni Martin. “The connection between Metallica Scholars and our Workforce Transitions efforts could impact between 350-500 students with services focused on reducing barriers to entry and retention.”
The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The workforce initiative marks its fifth year with an ambitious expansion into new curricula.
All Within My Hands was established in 2017 by Metallica to invest in the people and places that have supported the band, while also allowing fans to engage in philanthropy. All donations go to the organizations the foundation supports.
“The Metallica Scholars Initiative is so important to us because we are seeing results,” said Metallica’s Lars Ulrich. “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.”
The Metallica Scholars Initiative began in 2019 with SCC and nine other colleges receiving $100,000 each, mostly for manufacturing. Since then, it 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 jobs in a wide variety of career and technical education programs.
MSI now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states and, by the end of this year, will have helped over 6,000 students pursuing trade careers. To date, Metallica and AWMH have invested over $600 million toward student education.
“The Metallica Scholars Initiative is a strong and cooperative assemblage of the nation’s best community colleges, creating a supportive climate for participants to communicate directly and share best practices,” said Peter Delgrosso, All Within My Hands’ executive director. “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.”
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Jeff Bunch, Communications Director, Community Colleges of Spokane, at jeff.bunch@ccs.spokane.edu or 509.590.8620.
ABOUT SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (SCC)
Spokane Community College (SCC) is one of two accredited institutions of Community Colleges of Spokane and one of the largest community colleges in the state. SCC is known for leading programs in automotive, aviation, cosmetology, culinary arts, healthcare, machining and welding. SCC provides associate degrees and transfer-ready programs for student paths to a four-year college or university. The main campus is located in Spokane, WA, with rural centers over a six-county service area.