{"id":2283,"date":"2026-07-01T09:59:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T13:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/?p=2283"},"modified":"2026-07-01T09:59:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T13:59:37","slug":"monroe-community-college-joins-nationally-recognized-metallica-scholars-initiative-as-the-workforce-education-program-expands-to-over-90-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/01\/monroe-community-college-joins-nationally-recognized-metallica-scholars-initiative-as-the-workforce-education-program-expands-to-over-90-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Monroe Community College Joins Nationally Recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative as the Workforce Education Program Expands to over 90 Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wednesday, July 1, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

For Immediate Release<\/strong><\/p>\n

Media Contacts: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Monroe Community College<\/p>\n

Veronica R. Chiesi (Key-YAY-Zee) Brown,<\/p>\n

Assistant Director of Community Relations<\/p>\n

vchiesibrown@monroecc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

(585) 292-3063<\/p>\n

All Within My Hands Foundation<\/p>\n

Renee Richardson, Director of Philanthropy<\/p>\n

renee@allwithinmyhands.org<\/p>\n

(415) 458-1532 x10<\/p>\n

American Association of Community Colleges<\/p>\n

Dr. Martha M. Parham, Sr. Vice President, Public Relations<\/p>\n

mparham@aacc.nche.edu<\/p>\n

(202) 728-0200<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monroe Community College Joins Nationally Recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative as the Workforce Education Program Expands to over 90 Schools<\/strong><\/p>\n

Year 8 Grant is Largest to Date, With More Than $3.3M Committed; Expands Internationally<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rochester, New York<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0Monroe Community College (MCC) and the Monroe Community College Foundation are proud to announce MCC\u2019s 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<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Metallica\u2019s James Hetfield said, \u201cThis 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\u2019re so proud of all the Metallica Scholars who have come through it and all the ones who will participate in it. It\u2019s humbling to know we\u2019ve been part of the journey of thousands of trade professionals doing good, hard work in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, President and CEO, AACC, said, \u201cThe continued growth of the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a powerful testament to what\u2019s possible when visionary philanthropy and community colleges come together around a shared mission.\u00a0 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\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The initiative\u2019s eighth iteration also marks the renewal of AWMH\u2019s partnerships with\u00a0Carhartt, Wolverine, CNH Construction, and Upstaging, Inc., as well as the addition of the Foundation\u2019s newest partner, ServiceTitan. These corporate partners complement the Foundation\u2019s Executive and Advisory Board Members and the broader Metallica Family, all of whom have played a role in advancing AWMH\u2019s mission and driving its success.<\/p>\n

Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, AWMH, said, \u201cMetallica 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Newly Added Metallica Scholar Colleges:<\/p>\n