12 September Metallica Scholars Initiative workforce education program expands in year 7; ICC one of two in Mississippi to receive grant September 12, 2025 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Metallica Scholars Initiative workforce education program expands; Itawamba Community College one of two in Mississippi Year 7 is largest grant to date with approximately $3 million committed, Expected to reach approximately 10,000 students Fulton, Miss. – All Within My Hands, the nonprofit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, recently announced its Year 7 of its Metallica Scholars Initiative with its largest grant to date, totaling approximately $3 million. Itawamba Community College was among those whose grants were renewed for the third time. MSI now has a presence in 75 colleges across all 50 United States and the territory of Guam and is expected to reach approximately 10,000 students. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is the state’s other representative. “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 the success of the College, reinforcement of the mission that students and their success are our top priority. We express our heartfelt gratitude to AWMH for their continuing investment in the lives of students, many of them with limited resources, to provide better lives and better futures.” “I could not be any prouder of our Metallica Scholars,” said Robert Trujillo, Metallica band member. “We know that our country needs millions of skilled tradespeople, and it warms my heart to know that our Foundation’s efforts are making a positive impact and putting hard-working people on the path to careers in the trades. Whether it’s a school visit or a meet and greet before a show, there is no better feeling than meeting our Metallica Scholars in person and hearing their stories of grit and determination firsthand, along with their pride and commitment. It is truly inspiring. To think we started with a few schools and a couple hundred students, and we’re now in 75 schools nationwide, about to reach 10,000 students. It’s just incredible.” Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, MSI began with 10 colleges focused primarily on Manufacturing programs. The workforce initiative has since expanded to offer opportunities in diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages. To evaluate the program’s efficacy, the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy independently researched and quantified MSI’s impact on the skilled trades and the return on investment earlier this year. The research into all Year 6 community colleges, covering more than 350 fields of study at these institutions, measuring the cost of completion and anticipated salaries post-graduation. The key observation is that the ROI – the ratio of a program’s cost to anticipated median wage – across all MSI-supported programs is a very high and cost-efficient 8.3X. This means that on average, MSI graduates can expect to earn 8.3X the upfront cost of their program during their first year in the workforce. “2025 is a watershed moment for the Metallica Scholars initiative,” said Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, All Within My Hands. “With the addition of 15 new schools this fall and USC’s independent research articulating the strength of our results, we are eager to tackle the quantifiable shortage of skilled labor our nation faces. If we extrapolate these ROI numbers over a career, it demonstrates how effective and profitable learning a trade can be for the individual, and how society as a whole also benefits from community college graduates. This insight will profoundly affect MSI going forward, impacting how people view careers in the trades, encouraging more corporate and individual sponsorship and driving its advancement across the country. We’re thrilled to incorporate these findings into this year’s planning and expansion.” Year 7 also marks the renewal of AWMH’s partnership with the Lowe’s Foundation, which has provided $1 million in support as part of its five-year, $50 million commitment to prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. It takes a village to achieve these results, including the continued support from many long-time corporate partners of AWMH, notably workwear manufacturers Carhartt, Wolverine and CNH, a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment. The aforementioned along with the extended family of Metallica Family of Fans have staunchly supported AWMH from day one and worked tirelessly to advance its mission. Related Articles ICC Foundation awards scholarships for 2025-26 Several area students are the recipients of Foundation scholarships at Itawamba Community College for 2025-26. They include Aberdeen – Jk’miracle Davis, Tommy and Natalie Kline Endowed Scholarship; Sierra Lochala, Wilson L. and Wanda Heering Memorial Endowed Scholarship, IMPACT Scholarship, The Rev. Dr. Roy H. and Doris Finney Ryan Endowed Scholarship; Nickolous Westmoreland, Thomas Griffith Memorial Annual Scholarship; Amory – Jolie Bishop, Gilmore Foundation Healthcare Endowed Scholarship; Kyah Dilworth, W.B. (Bruce) and Peggy Davis Endowed Scholarship; Christopher Farrar, John and Beth Cleveland Endowed Education Scholarship; Abigail Harlow, IMPACT Scholarship; Peairr Pack, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Ella Phillips, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Allyson Watkins, Carolyn Franks Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Paytn West, Dorothy D. and George H. Ruff Foundation Automotive Technology Endowed Scholarship; Baldwyn – Savannah Collier, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Bryston Howell, Stephens Forestry Endowed Scholarship; Andrea Yielding, Kermit and Mary Anna Mcferrin Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Belden – Misty Cole, Jon D. Shelton and Jason Lee Shelton Annual Scholarship; Madison Sullivan, John and Beth Cleveland Endowed Scholarship; Bruce – Sarah Collins, STEM Scholarship; Noah Morgan, ICC Gala Scholarship, IMPACT Scholarship; Caledonia – Kaitlyn Harris, ... 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 Foundation awards scholarships Several area students are the recipients of Foundation scholarships at Itawamba Community College for 2024-25. They include Aberdeen – Nevaeh Morris, ICC Tuition Toss Annual Scholarship; Dawsen Grimes, R. T. “Mickey” West Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Edgar Irwin Moore and Ruth Moore Endowed Forestry Scholarship; Sierra Lochala, The Rev. Dr. Roy H. and Doris Finney Ryan Endowed Scholarship; Amory – Megan Thomas, Dr. Joseph F. Dzikielewski Memorial Nursing Scholarship; Kylie Harbin, Gilmore Foundation Healthcare Endowed Scholarship; Destaniee Watson, Jennie Witt Mounce Adult Learner Endowed Scholarship; Peairr Pack, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Isabelle Pennell, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Isabella Oliver, STEM Scholarship; Tyler Sledge, Thomas Griffith Memorial Annual Scholarship; Jolie Bishop, Troy York Crubaugh Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Baldwyn – Andrea Yielding, Kermit and Mary Anna McFerrin Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Tanner Palmer, Walmart Endowed Scholarship; Belden – Brooklynn Ivy, Ernest and Jamie Joyner Adult Learner Annual Scholarship; Timothy Haithcock, Philip Sheffield Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Abbygail Pham, STEM Scholarship; Blue Mountain – Jazmine Moreno, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Blue Springs – Caiden Wilburn, Dan Dixon Memorial Diesel Technology Annual Scholarship; Lexie Walker, Linda Kay Gilreath ... ICC Foundation awards 2023-24 scholarships Several area students are the recipients of Foundation scholarships at Itawamba Community College for 2023-24. They include Abbeville – Armani T. Wilson, AT&T Endowed Scholarship; Aberdeen – Madison Huppert, Mounce Family Excellence in Healthcare Endowed Scholarship; Chadsity T. Spratt, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Micah Clay Terry, John and Beth Cleveland Endowed Scholarship; Allison B. Underwood, Donald A. Baker Endowed Scholarship; Kimberly Walker-Burroughs, Christine McCoy Surgical Technology Memorial Annual Scholarship; Amory – Gloria Beasley, Chris Hayden Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Jolie A. Bishop, Troy York Crubaugh Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Ella K. Browning, A.J. Pitts Endowed Memorial Scholarship; Emery B. Browning, Gilmore Foundation Healthcare Endowed Scholarship; Jayden W. Green, Dorothy D. and George H. Ruff Foundation Career Education Endowed Scholarship, ICC Alumni Association Career Education Endowed Scholarship; Dorien Griffin, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Mackenzie K. Nevins, PryorMorrow Endowed Scholarship; Brooklyn Owen, Emily W. Horne Annual Scholarship; Emily Payne, Dixie Medlin Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Bailee D. Phillips, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Tyler Sledge, Thomas Griffith Memorial Annual Scholarship; Whitt Willis, The Rev. Dr. Roy H. and Doris Finney Ryan Endowed Scholarship; Baldwyn – Caden J. ... Students receive ICC Foundation scholarships Several area students are the recipients of Foundation scholarships at Itawamba Community College for 2022-23. They include Aberdeen – Tyler Gill, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Taylor Harrison, Donald A. Baker Endowed Scholarship; Micah Terry, John and Beth Cleveland Endowed Scholarship; Kaleb Wilkinson, Thomas Griffith Memorial Annual Scholarship; Amory – Ella Browning, A.J. Pitts Endowed Memorial Scholarship; Matthew Carter, Dorothy D. and George H. Ruff Foundation Career Education Special Needs Endowed Scholarship; Marley Edwards, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Dorien Griffin, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Brooklyn Owen, Emily W. Horne Annual Scholarship; Baldwyn – Caden Cates, Dr. Marshall E. Hollis Endowed Pharmacy Scholarship; Batesville – Albert Martin, Dorothy D. and George H. Ruff Foundation Career Education Endowed Scholarship; Belden – Breia Foster, Mounce Family Excellence in Healthcare Endowed Scholarship; Adelin Mathis, Billy and Edna Fisher Todd Annual Scholarship; Min-Hao Sun, Pearl Markham Burch Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Belmont – Karly Weeks, Quail Unlimited Annual Scholarship, Sherry Senter Stubblefeld and Nancy Senter Presley Endowed Scholarship; Blue Mountain – Jazmine Moreno, Mike and Marcia Eaton Endowed Scholarship; Blue Springs – ... ICC selects Foundation scholarship recipients for 2021-22 Recipients of Foundation scholarships at Itawamba Community College for 2021-22 have been selected. They include Aberdeen – Klarissa K. Lee, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; McKinley Dean, Carolyn Franks Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Johnathan Schrock, Billy Spigner Disability Annual Scholarship; Connor L. Stevens, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Kaleb Wilkinson, Thomas Griffith Memorial Annual Scholarship; Stormie Jeffries, Chris Hayden Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Amory – Jessica Anderson, Ernest and Jamie Joyner Adult Learner Annual Scholarship; Chloe Wall, Dorothy D. and George H. Ruff Foundation Career Education Special Needs Endowed Scholarship; Brody McGonagill, JT Crabb Memorial Annual Scholarship; Macie A. Mitchell, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Anna Bryant, Billy and Edna Fisher Todd Annual Scholarship, Donald A. Baker Endowed Scholarship; Caden Booth, Suzanne Summerford Endowed Scholarship; Nicholas Washington, Emily W. Horne Annual Scholarship; Belden – Jenelle Harkins, R.T. (Mickey) West Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Belmont – Karly Weeks, Quail Unlimited Annual Scholarship; Booneville – Larissa E. Smith, Ernest and Jamie Joyner Adult Learner Scholarship; Brandon – Zakhia Taylor, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Corinth – Riley Floyd, Linda Kay ... Comments are closed.