TSTC’s Sweetwater campus among colleges from all 50 states in Metallica Scholars Initiative

(SWEETWATER, Texas) - All Within My Hands (AWMH), the nonprofit and philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, recently announced the largest expansion of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI).

With the launch of year six, 18 new colleges join the roster of existing MSI community colleges. MSI now has a presence in 60 colleges across all 50 states and the territory of Guam, including at Texas State Technical College's Sweetwater campus for the second year.

"We are excited to be part of year six of the All Within My Hands' Metallica Scholarship Initiative, and welcome the newest members to the initiative," GaBrielle Mallet, associate provost of TSTC's Sweetwater campus, said. "Our students are excited to have scholarship opportunities from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band and the opportunities they provide communities like Sweetwater. We look forward to showcasing our students' success through this initiative."

Incoming students in TSTC's Automotive Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, Welding Technology and Wind Energy Technology are eligible for MSI scholarships. For information about the scholarships, visit tstc.edu/metallica.

James "Papa Het" Hetfield, Metallica's lead vocalist, said the goal for the program is to "break the stigma of trade skills."

"Trade skills are vital to society, and what's even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills," he said. "I am so proud - we all are - to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students, and it's great that we're able to make our biggest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce."

Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), MSI began with 10 colleges and primarily manufacturing programs. With steady development, MSI offers diverse workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers.

Additional curriculum will include construction, health care and engineering, contributing to more than 25 fields of study offered within the initiative. To date, AWMH has invested more than $10.5 million in the American workforce, reaffirming a commitment to career and technical education at the local level.

"I am happy to congratulate the newest Metallica Scholarship Initiative colleges. The sustained investment in workforce education by the All Within My Hands Foundation has benefitted thousands of community college students," said Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC. "This work helps to advance skills education and the nation's workforce pipeline. We are honored to continue this partnership to provide critical resources that eliminate barriers for students to participate in skills education programs that lead to family-sustaining wage careers."

By the end of year six, AWMH estimates that it will have helped more than 8,000 students, with a wide range of backgrounds and ages, gain skills to assist in finding careers.

"Metallica, through their foundation, is changing how people view and engage with the trades in this country, and it is working," Peter Delgrosso, executive director of All Within My Hands, said. "Metallica Scholars are diverse, motivated and ambitious, and we are here to help them reach their goals."

Registration for TSTC's fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

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