19 December A season of giving with lasting impact: ICC students find support at Tupelo ACE Hardware December 19, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W Career Center, General 0 For students training for careers in the skilled trades, the path forward often begins with grit, long hours and a growing list of tools they must purchase before they ever clock in on the job. This season of giving, one Tupelo business is stepping in to make that journey a little more attainable. Tupelo ACE Hardware is putting practical support directly into the hands of students enrolled in Career and Technical Education and Workforce training programs at Itawamba Community College. Through the generosity of owner George Booth, ICC students pursuing skilled trade careers are now eligible for varying discounts on tools purchased at the Tupelo ACE Hardware store on McCullough Boulevard. The effort began when Booth offered a discount on a tool needed by a student in an ICC Workforce class. Recognizing the ongoing need, he expanded the offer to support students across multiple trade programs, easing the financial burden that often accompanies hands-on training. To receive the discount, students present a tool discount letter provided by ACE Hardware. An ICC instructor verifies the student’s enrollment in an eligible CTE or Workforce program by signing the form, allowing the student to receive the appropriate discount at the Tupelo store. “I really appreciate ACE Hardware giving me the opportunity to help me afford the tools needed as I further my career in the industrial maintenance field,” said Justin Simmons, an industrial maintenance student at ICC. “I also sincerely give my thanks to ICC and ACE Hardware for making this happen.” Booth said his decision reflects a broader commitment to the future of the workforce and the role local communities must play in developing it. “The American economy, possibly more than ever, needs skilled workers and tradespeople who are ready to address some critical needs,” Booth said. “To do that, we need local communities to get behind the programs that train new workers, like the programs offered at ICC. Offering an at-cost purchase in our store for program graduates is a very small way to say, ‘you matter and we want to support you.’” ICC President Dr. Jay Allen said partnerships like this one demonstrate how local businesses can make a tangible difference for students preparing to enter high-demand fields. “When local employers invest in students who are learning a trade, they are investing in the long-term success of our communities,” Allen said. “Support like this removes barriers, builds confidence and reinforces the dignity and value of skilled work.” The partnership also serves as a quiet challenge to other businesses to lean into those pursuing trade careers by offering support that helps students succeed during training and beyond. Organic partnerships like the one between Tupelo ACE Hardware and ICC continue to show the shared commitment by the college and community to building tomorrow's workforce today. Learn more about career and workforce opportunities through ICC by visiting www.iccms.edu. Related Articles ICC launches partnership with TimelyMD to connect faculty, staff, students with mental and physical health resources Itawamba Community College has launched a partnership with TimelyMD to connect full-time faculty and currently-enrolled students to the support and resources in both mental and physical health they need to succeed. TimelyCare provides on-demand 24/7 service that offers virtual health and well-being to currently-enrolled students and full-time faculty and staff for free, according to Dr. Brad Boggs, vice president of Student Services, including mental and emotional support, health literacy guidance and crisis management by masters-level behavioral health professionals. “It also provides a dedicated phone line for full-time faculty and staff to reach the TimelyCare team for guidance and support in cases of student distress.” Those covered may choose the visit modality that works best for them - video, phone or video chat. The simple, flexible scheduling enables students to choose their provider, day and time as well as cancel a visit and select the next available time that works best for them. Also, students can choose to add a parent, translator or even an adviser to the conversation. According to TimelyMD, “A modern virtual care platform starts with the technology that ... Metallica's All Within My Hands grant significantly impacts lives, futures of ICC students A $50,000 grant from Metallica’s All Within My Hands foundation is significantly impacting the lives and futures of more than 50 Itawamba Community College career education and health sciences students. They were selected based on an application process, which included information about the difference that receiving the scholarship will make in continuing their educational journey, according to Dylan Baldwin, dean of Career Education, who wrote the grant proposal. “This significant opportunity is making the difference in enabling many of the recipients to continue enrollment in their programs,” Baldwin noted. “Sometimes we don’t realize the struggles that students have to overcome to earn their ICC degrees to ensure a better future not only for themselves, but also in many instances, their families.” Among the student stories are, “My husband and I are struggling with money because of doctor bills…I am a 40-year-old veteran, 80 percent disabled trying to do something different with my life, something that’s not as physically hard labor as I’m used to…I am a 4.0 honor roll student, have maintained a 4.0 GPA since being in college ... ICC, The W sign MOU to provide educational opportunities for students pursuing sspecific career education programs with desire to earn bachelor's degree Itawamba Community College and Mississippi University for Women signed a memorandum of understanding today [Sept. 19] to provide educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in specific career education programs with a desire to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree. The agreement establishes a pathway by which students earning an appropriate Associate of Applied Science degree from ICC may complete a baccalaureate degree at The W. According to the agreement, both institutions will work together to enroll students in degree completion programs for ICC’s career education graduates. Both colleges will advise and encourage ICC students, alumni and constituents to promote these programs to each institution’s stakeholders and throughout the local community college district. The pathways will provide for students in certain degree areas to transfer up to 90 credit hours to The W after graduating from ICC. Included are computer networking and cybersecurity, computer programming, business and marketing management, hospitality management, paralegal and construction management. According to Dylan Baldwin, dean of Career Education at ICC, “This partnership with Mississippi University for Women creates a remarkable pathway for our students. By completing three years ... ICC, one of two in Mississippi, receives Metallica's All Within My Hands grant All Within My Hands, the nonprofit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, has announced the largest expansion of its Metallica Scholars Initiative and its largest grant to date. With the launch of year six, 18 new colleges join the roster of existing MSI community colleges. The Metallica Scholars Initiative now has a presence in 60 colleges across all 50 United States and the territory of Guam. Itawamba Community College, which is in year two, and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College represent Mississippi. ICC’s $50,000 grant will focus on recruiting underserved populations to enable individuals to attain job skills and opportunities to equip them for employment to better position them for success and a better future. “It is a tremendous honor for Itawamba Community College to be selected as one of the continuing recipients of the prestigious All Within My Hands grant, which will significantly impact our career education programs and the lives of those who will receive scholarships to pursue a pathway and their best start,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is another indication of ... Itawamba Community College receives $100,000 and joins 41 other schools across the US as All Within My Hands' Metallica Scholars Initiative expands in year five Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. Among the schools, Itawamba Community College was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive $100,000 to transform the futures of students in the community. “It is a tremendous honor for Itawamba Community College to be selected as one of the recipients of the prestigious All Within My Hands grant, which will significantly impact our career education programs, providing funding for students to pursue a pathway and their best start,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is another indication of the success of the College and reinforcement of the mission that students and their success are our top priority.” 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. MSI now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states, and by the end of this year, it will have helped ... ICC to partner with Get2College to offer onsite assistance with FAFSA completion Itawamba Community College is partnering with Get2College to provide onsite assistance with FAFSA completion, July 17 and 18. Times and locations are from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., July 17, Academic and Student Center room 231, Tupelo Campus; and July 18, Boggs Humanities Building room 103, Fulton Campus. The sessions are designed to assist current and incoming students with FAFSA questions and form completion. Appointments are preferred, according to Terry Bland, director of Financial Aid at ICC, but walk-ins will be accommodated. To schedule an appointment at the Fulton Campus, www.iccms.edu/FAFSAFulton or for the Tupelo Campus, www.iccms.edu/FAFSATupelo. Get2College is a college access program of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation, whose mission is to help more Mississippians obtain postsecondary credentials, college certificates and degrees that lead to meaningful employment. For more information, email finaid@iccms.edu. Comments are closed.