Tulsa Community College Joins Metallica Scholars Initiative

Tulsa Community College is thrilled to announce its inclusion in the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) as part of the sixth cohort, making TCC the only college from Oklahoma to receive this recognition. The Metallica Scholars Initiative aims to support community colleges across the U.S. by providing substantial grants to enhance career and technical education programs.

All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, unveiled the largest expansion of MSI and its largest grant to date. With the launch of year six, 18 new colleges, including TCC, join the roster of existing MSI community colleges, with each new college receiving $75,000 to enhance the student experience within career and technical education programs. The Metallica Scholars Initiative now has a presence in 60 colleges across all 50 United States and the territory of Guam.

“Tulsa Community College is honored to be selected for the sixth cohort of the Metallica Scholars Initiative. Thank you to Metallica, All Within My Hands and the American Association of Community Colleges for this opportunity,” said TCC President and CEO Leigh Goodson, Ph.D. “We are proud to represent Oklahoma in this initiative and excited to leverage this support to provide more students with firsthand experience and skills for in-demand careers in the aerospace and air mobility sector.”

With support from MSI, TCC will focus on enhancing its aerospace and advanced manufacturing programs to address local industry needs and improve student outcomes. The initiative will fund scholarships to support at least 50 students, covering tuition, books and essential resources. It will also provide support like internships, advanced technology access and comprehensive advising. TCC seeks to bridge the talent gap in the aerospace and manufacturing sectors and contribute to a skilled workforce ready to meet the region’s growing demand for specialized professionals.

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 by creative and dedicated leadership, MSI offers diverse workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers. Additional curricula will include construction, healthcare, and engineering, contributing to more than 25 fields of study offered within the Initiative. To date, AWMH has invested more than $10.5M in the American workforce, reaffirming a commitment to career and technical education at the local level.

“When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me. A collective goal of breaking 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. 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. We are reaching even further for year six of the Metallica Scholars Initiative. This year, our program will be in 60 schools in all 50 states! All thanks to your support,” said James ‘Papa Het’ Hetfield of Metallica.

“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, it's estimated more than 8,000 students with a wide range of backgrounds and ages will gain skills to assist in finding meaningful jobs and careers. Metallica Scholars are often considered non-traditional students, as many have families they support or are the first in their families to pursue a college education. AWMH and AACC aim to connect students to skill-building opportunities and bridge the talent needs of the American workforce, all while utilizing the community college system, which is the most affordable, flexible and industry-relevant applied-learning training provider in the country. 

“Metallica, through their foundation, is changing how people view and engage with the trades in this country, and it is working,” stated Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director of All Within My Hands. “Metallica Scholars are diverse, motivated and ambitious, and we are here to help them reach their goals. I am so proud and honored to be able to announce entrance into all 50 states as this is a significant milestone for not only our foundation but the incredible community we have helped foster and connect.”

For a complete list of all 60 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.

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Scholarship amounts will range between $500 and $1,500. The application deadline is Sept. 15, 2024, and awardees will be announced on Oct. 15, 2024. To apply, fill out the application form here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to FabLab@tulsacc.edu or aviationcenter@tulsacc.edu.