Eastern Iowa Community College issued the following announcement on July 26.
Clinton Community College, one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, has been selected from a competitive field of community colleges across the country to receive $100,000 to transform the future of students in the community. Funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH) and led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Metallica Scholars Initiative is designed to directly support students while also elevating the importance of career and technical education. This work is highlighted at a global level by leveraging the influence of Metallica who continue to speak out on the dignity of professional trades and community colleges that prepare students.
The Metallica Scholars Initiative is now in its third year and has fundamentally improved the earning potential for students who become Metallica Scholars. Clinton Community College will use the funding to help cover costs for students enrolled in the college’s Engineering Technology program. Ten full tuition and 40 $1500 scholarships will be available. CCC will highlight these Metallica Scholars, promoting this high-demand, skilled trade as a means to economic development. To apply, all students need to do is fill out a simple one-page application at eicc.edu/MetallicaScholarsApp
“We are very excited to work with Metallica and the AACC to focus on career and technical training and the many opportunities for students in our community. The timing of this initiative could not be better,” said Brian Kelly, Clinton Community College President.
In March, the voters of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges approved a $40 million bond referendum to support expanding career and technical education, including Career Academies for high school students. The bond referendum is for new Career and Technical Education labs and facilities, as well as the expansion of existing classroom buildings.
“At a time when we are developing new Career Academies to partner with area high schools, and there is a significant industry need for trained team members, this opportunity for our students is tremendous. For almost 40 years, the band has meant so much to so many people, and we are thrilled they have chosen to invest in our community and local economy. We look forward to working with the team over this next year.”
“The foundation and the band pay attention and follow these programs and students, and there is no doubt that lives have been changed,” said Dr. Edward Frank, Executive Director of AWMH.
“What makes this work so unique is that in addition to supporting students directly, our goal is not just to change individual lives, it is to unabashedly promote the trades as meaningful and well-paying career pathways. We are not afraid to be loud nor to dig in on things we believe in, and we believe in these students.”
“We are proud to work with Metallica to advance the career and technical education provided by the nation’s community colleges,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s President and CEO.
“These programs are responsive to the needs of local businesses and provide a pipeline of qualified workers to local industry. It’s a win-win for our students and the local economy. For Metallica to continue to invest in these students and communities is a testament to the power of the workforce education community colleges provide and we are proud to do this work with them.”
James Hetfield, Metallica’s vocalist/guitarist and co-founder said, “As a touring entity we are in direct involvement with multiple essential career choices along our path. From electrical, professional driving, culinary, mechanical maintenance, public safety, logistical organizers. And that just scratches the surface. Those, along with a multitude of other technical careers, make our touring and our performances possible. We are passionate and grateful to these trades and tradespeople.”
The MSI sites to date are:
- Northwest-Shoals Community College, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
- Pima County Community College, Tucson, Arizona
- Hartnell College, Salinas, California
- Victor Valley College, Victorville, California
- Polk State College, Winter Haven, Florida
- Valencia College, Orlando, Florida
- North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- College of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois
- Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, Wichita, Kansas
- Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
- Clinton Community College, Clinton, Iowa
- Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
- Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Central Community College, Grand Island, Nebraska
- Westchester Community College, Valhalla, New York
- Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, Oregon
- Columbia Gorge Community College, The Dalles, Oregon
- Lone Star College, The Woodlands, Texas
- Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, Virginia
- Spokane Community College, Spokane, Washington
- Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, Wisconsin
- West Virginia University Parkersburg, Parkersburg, West Virginia
For information about how to become a Metallica Scholar, contact Ann Eisenman at Clinton Community College 563-244-7040.
Original source can be found here.
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