SUFFERN, NY (September 9, 2022) – Rockland Community College was selected from a competitive field of community colleges across the country to receive $100,000 to transform the future of students in the community.
Since establishing the Metallica Scholars Initiative in 2019, All Within My Hands (AWMH) has been working with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to provide direct support for career and technical education programs across the US. Having grown from a concept to a thriving educational strategy that focuses on enhancing skills while providing services to students looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program, the Metallica Scholars Initiative has generated a proven and measurable impact. AWMH will replicate the program further by adding ten more schools to the roster, investing $1.8 million to expand in year four.
“Our goal for the Metallica Scholars Initiative is to shine a light on workforce education and support the next generation of tradespeople. With the addition of the 2022-2023 Metallica Scholars program, our grants will reach over 2,000 men and women in 32 community colleges across 27 states. We are honored to support these students of all ages and backgrounds and look forward to growing the program even farther in the future.” – Pete Delgrosso, Executive Director, All Within My Hands
Direct impact on job and wage growth drives the Metallica Scholars Initiative. On average, students who complete the program see new job opportunities and increased salary potential up to three times higher than pre-program.
The RCC Higher Opportunity Program for Education (HOPE) project is designed to support previously incarcerated citizens enrolling in RCC’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program. The intent is to decrease regional recidivism rates. Due to the lack of employability for previously incarcerated individuals, recidivism rates for individuals arrested for either a felony or misdemeanor have increased dramatically over the past five years. This project aims to deter recidivism rates by changing the trajectory of at-risk individuals from reoffending to employment.
The College’s goal is to elevate students’ skill sets by meeting industry standards and raising the level of academic programs offered.
“This program has significant potential to positively impact lives and expands the reach of our successful Commercial Driver’s License program launched earlier this year. We are honored to participate in this important initiative and offer this opportunity to individuals in our community who need support and access to training, technology and resources to change their lives for the better. Under the direction of Dr. Jean Leandre, RCC’s Dean of Career and Professional Development, and the lead for Project Hope, this program will provide that much needed support and access,” said Dr. Susan Deer, Officer in Charge, Rockland Community College.
Funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands and led by the American Association of Community Colleges, the Metallica Scholars Initiative is designed to directly support students while elevating the importance of career and technical education. Metallica continues to use its global platform to speak out on the dignity of professional trades and community colleges that prepare students.
Working closely with the AACC, a Washington D.C.-based advocate for not-for-profit, public-serving institutions, AWMH has selected ten schools to receive $100,000 each to transform the future of students in their communities. The extensive proposal process received an incredible amount of interest, and the applications were of the highest quality. Each of the ten institutions chosen intends to prioritize students interested in the skilled trades as a pathway to economic development.
“The Metallica Scholars program has proven to provide significant resources for community college students looking to learn the skills needed for today’s workforce,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO. “We are honored to partner with the All Within My Hands Foundation to continue to expand this opportunity for community colleges and their students.”
The newly added community colleges are joining an already established core of 22 schools that have been invited to continue as a Metallica Scholars school. Each year the returning colleges play an integral role in onboarding, to help the new schools hit the ground running.
The 32 colleges across the country are encouraged to use the AWMH grant as the local industry dictates in terms of program and training. To provide skilled and educated tradespeople ready for the local workforce, Metallica Scholars programs include:
Automation and Robotics
Automotive Technology
Aviation
Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
Computerized Manufacturing (CNC)
Construction Technology & Carpentry
Diesel Technology
Electrical Engineering
Healthcare
Heating & Ventilation (HVAC)
Heavy Equipment Operator
Hospitality
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Manufacturing & Machining
Mechanical Design
Mechatronics Engineering
Process Technology
Trucking
Welding
To learn more about the Metallica Scholars Initiative, please visit AllWithinMyHands.org/Metallica-Scholars.