Monroe Community College Joins Nationally Recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative as the Workforce Education Program Expands to over 90 Schools

July 1, 2026

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:

Monroe Community College

Veronica R. Chiesi (Key-YAY-Zee) Brown,

Assistant Director of Community Relations

vchiesibrown@monroecc.edu

(585) 292-3063

All Within My Hands Foundation

Renee Richardson, Director of Philanthropy

renee@allwithinmyhands.org

(415) 458-1532 x10

American Association of Community Colleges

Dr. Martha M. Parham, Sr. Vice President, Public Relations

mparham@aacc.nche.edu

(202) 728-0200

Monroe Community College Joins Nationally Recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative as the Workforce Education Program Expands to over 90 Schools

Year 8 Grant is Largest to Date, With More Than $3.3M Committed; Expands Internationally

Rochester, New York – Monroe Community College (MCC) and the Monroe Community College Foundation are proud to announce MCC’s selection as one of 18 new schools to join the eighth year of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). The $75,000 grant aims to enhance the student experience and career readiness within MCC’s Optical Systems Technology program through scholarships, individualized success coaching, industry site visits, conference participation, and other experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers in the optics and photonics industry.

Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, Monroe Community College President, said, “We are honored and grateful to the Metallica Scholars Initiative, All Within My Hands, and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) for investing in the future of our students. I have seen firsthand, both as the MCC President and a member of the AACC Board of Directors, the transformative impact that partnerships like this one have in expanding access to high-quality workforce education across the country. This grant will help further enhance our nationally and internationally recognized Optical Systems Technology program, which has grown by more than 3,000% in a decade and has achieved 100% job placement for graduates.”

All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, proudly announces the eighth year of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) with its largest grant to date: over $3.3M. 18 new US schools will join the returning 75 colleges in the fall for a total of 93 in the program. In addition, later this year the Metallica Scholars Initiative will also expand to the United Kingdom in partnership with Capital City College Group in London.

Metallica’s James Hetfield said, “This thing started as a dream. Now our program is changing lives. To expand our impact on a global scale and support even more students is so rewarding. We’re so proud of all the Metallica Scholars who have come through it and all the ones who will participate in it. It’s humbling to know we’ve been part of the journey of thousands of trade professionals doing good, hard work in the world.”

AWMH continues to work closely with its long-time partner, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands, MSI’s core focus is supporting conventional trades, including welders, plumbers, and electricians, while also adding fields that will generate the jobs of tomorrow. The workforce initiative continues to evolve, supporting diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages. Year 8 includes a wide range of fields, including nursing and healthcare, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and EMT, pipefitting, and agricultural pathways.

Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, President and CEO, AACC, said, “The continued growth of the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a powerful testament to what’s possible when visionary philanthropy and community colleges come together around a shared mission. Through this partnership, 13,000 community college students have already been supported across the country, earning the skills needed for in- demand careers with family-sustaining wages. This latest, generous investment by Metallica’s foundation will reach more learners, while strengthening the workforce pipelines that power local economies. We are proud to partner with All Within My Hands to scale this impact, ensuring even more students have access to life-changing opportunities in the skilled trades and beyond.”

The initiative’s eighth iteration also marks the renewal of AWMH’s partnerships with Carhartt, Wolverine, CNH Construction, and Upstaging, Inc., as well as the addition of the Foundation’s newest partner, ServiceTitan. These corporate partners complement the Foundation’s Executive and Advisory Board Members and the broader Metallica Family, all of whom have played a role in advancing AWMH’s mission and driving its success.

Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, AWMH, said, “Metallica Scholars Year 8 will see our largest-scale growth yet, as we anticipate supporting close to 4,000 new students in the United States and more than 1,000 learners in the UK. This represents an approximate 40% increase in our student body, something we are incredibly excited about. Supporting people of all ages entering and ascending through trades is the right thing to do, not just domestically, but also abroad. Our Metallica Scholars have demonstrated resilience and a strong determination to succeed, which in turn motivates us to match their ambition.”

Newly Added Metallica Scholar Colleges:

About Monroe Community College

Monroe Community College (MCC), based in Monroe County, New York, was founded in 1961 and is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) System. With four main campuses, MCC offers more than 100 degree, credit, and non-credit programs. MCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), is a member of the League of Innovation in the Community College, and is one of ten community colleges participating in the Aspen College Institute’s Unlocking Opportunity: The Post-Graduation Success and Equity Network.

About The Monroe Community College Foundation

The Monroe Community College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit organization. The Monroe Community College Foundation seeks philanthropic investment to advance achievement, innovation, and the mission of excellence at the College. To learn more about the MCC Foundation, available scholarships, and how to contribute, visit the MCC website.

About All Within My Hands

Established in 2017, 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. Metallica covers all administrative costs, so 100% of donations go directly to the organizations supported by the Foundation. To date, All Within My Hands has provided grants of $19M to career and technical education programs through its Metallica Scholars Initiative, $8.8M to combat food insecurity, and $6.2M to disaster relief and other critical local services worldwide.

About the American Association of Community Colleges

As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely 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, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.