Metallica Scholars grant gets an encore at CLC
College of Lake County (CLC) students will rock on another year! $100,000 in scholarships will be available for students studying in career programs through Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation (AWMH). CLC was selected as one of 10 community colleges in the country to receive this heavy metal grant for the second consecutive year. The funding, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), is part of the Metallica Scholars Initiative sponsored by the multi-Grammy Award-winning band's foundation.
More than 60 CLC students benefited from the grant during the inaugural year. They received full-tuition scholarships in one of eight career programs: automotive collision repair, automotive technology, electrical engineering technology, computerized numerical controls, laser/photonics/optics, automation/robotics/ mechatronics, heating and air conditioning (HVAC) and welding.
"With more than 700 medical instrument, precision manufacturing and tooling companies in Lake County, the College plays a crucial role in providing a talent pipeline for the local workforce," said CLC President Lori Suddick. "These scholarships help students pay for classes, equipment and other financial burdens so they can complete their credential and engage in a career that provides them a family sustaining living wage. We are honored to be selected again for the Metallica Scholars Initiative."
Wheeling resident and grant recipient Wael Jabban completed his Automation Robotics Mechatronics certificate last spring. "After hearing the field was in dire need of skilled workers, I quickly completed the short-term program, eager to start working in automation," he said. "The scholarship allowed me to become a full-time student without worry about the distractions of a part time job." Jabban is now gainfully employed as a field service engineer at an international robotics company.
The Metallica Scholars Initiative was created in 2019 through a partnership between All Within My Hands and the AACC, a Washington, D.C. based organization representing the country's more than 1,000 community colleges. As one of 10 colleges representing communities that had supported Metallica during its recent U.S. tours, CLC received $100,000 last year toward programs designed to support students training to enter the American workforce.
Final reports from all 10 schools including more than 700 first-wave Metallica Scholars revealed an overall 80-90 percent program completion rate and 95 percent job placement for those Metallica Scholars who completed their certifications/studies.
Year two of the Metallica Scholars Initiative will add five more community colleges, bringing the total number of schools to 15. It will also be receiving matching grants from new partners supplementing All Within My Hands' cumulative $1.5 million contribution.
"Our 2019 Metallica Scholars have exceeded expectations and inspired us in more ways than we could have possibly imagined," said Metallica's Lars Ulrich. "We're really excited to be able to expand the initiative in its second year, assisting more students in achieving their dreams and transforming their lives in 2020."
As was the case last year, this year's Metallica Scholars awards were distributed following a competitive application process, and the benefactors are eager to continue the program's success. "The impact of the Metallica Scholars Initiative has been extremely gratifying," said Dr. Edward Frank, Executive Director of All Within My Hands. "We are indebted to all the schools, the AACC, and co-sponsors for their dedication to making this program successful and their help in changing the lives of so many people. This transformative effect is exactly what the band and the board had hoped for when we started this program."
Jennifer Worth, AACC senior vice president of workforce and economic development, said, "The colossal reputation of Metallica has given these colleges, and the trades they are supporting, new life and attention. It has been an honor and a privilege to have the band's and foundation board of directors' trust to design and implement programs that will change the lives of hard-working Americans looking to advance."
For more information on the AWMH and Metallica Scholars initiative, visit https://www.allwithinmyhands.org/news-media/news/metallica-scholars-year-two.html.
About College of Lake County:
The College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves in northeastern Illinois. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, college classes are affordable and accessible to help each student achieve academic, career and personal goals. More than 70,000 students graduated with degrees and certificates since the college opened in 1969. The College of Lake County is the only higher-education institution ranked among the top 15 best places to work in Illinois by Forbes and is a national leader in many areas, including sustainability and conservation. Learn more at www.clcillinois.edu or call (847) 543-2000.
About the All Within My Hands Foundation:
The AWMH Foundation was established in 2017 by Metallica as a means to invest in the people and places that have supported the band. It also provides a mechanism for Metallica's fans to become engaged in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Foundation is focused on supporting sustainable communities through workforce education (in addition to combatting hunger through an alliance with Feeding America), and is fully supported by the band, the AWMH board, and by fans. All expenses of the Foundation are covered by the band, the board, and a few special friends, so that 100 percent of donations go to the organizations it supports. AWMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, please visit www.allwithinmyhands.org.
About the American Association of Community Colleges:
As the voice of the nation's community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for 12 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC's nearly 1,200 member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.