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14
NOV

LCCC Selected for Metallica Scholars Initiative

November 14, 2025

MetallicaCHEYENNE, Wyoming – Laramie County Community College is proud to announce its selection as one of 15 nationwide recipients to join Year 7 of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Supported by a generous $75,000 grant, LCCC will use this funding to offer Essential Systems Technician training through a new partnership with Advanced Comfort Solutions, Laramie County School District 1 and Dads Making a Difference, a Wyoming Department of Workforce Services program that supports fathers with job training and key life skills.

Through this model, high school seniors and adult learners will receive hands-on lessons in HVAC, electrical systems, safety, and basic facility operations. All training is taught by working professionals at Advanced Comfort Solutions, giving students real-world experience with the tools and equipment used on the job.

“This project shows how much we can accomplish when we work together,” said Tonya Hacker, LCCC’s Outreach & Workforce Development dean. “Our partners at Advanced Comfort Solutions, Laramie County School District, and Dads Making a Difference are essential to making this training possible, and we’re grateful for their commitment to local learners. We also want to thank the Metallica Scholars Initiative for investing in our community. Their support removes barriers for students and helps us build stronger career pathways right here in Laramie County.”

All Within My Hands (AWMH), the nonprofit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, recently announced its Year 7 of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) with its largest grant to date, totaling approximately $3M. 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.

“I could not be any prouder of our Metallica Scholars. 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,” said Robert Trujillo, a Metallica band member. “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 (AACC), 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 (USC) Sol Price School of Public Policy independently researched and quantified MSI’s impact on the skilled trades and the return on investment (ROI) earlier this year. The research extended 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, All Within My Hands executive director. “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 Metallica Family of fans have staunchly supported AWMH from day one and worked tirelessly to advance its mission.

Newly Added Metallica Scholar Colleges:

For a complete list of all 75 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.

The Metallica Foundation, All motion for hands, American Association of Community Colleges, Laramie County Community College

About Laramie County Community College

Laramie County Community College (LCCC) is a leader in career and technical education, preparing students with hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials and strong employer partnerships that lead directly to high-demand jobs. Beyond its technical programs, LCCC offers comprehensive education across diverse fields such as health sciences, agriculture, the arts, business and more. With campuses in Cheyenne and Laramie, the college combines affordable tuition, small class sizes and modern facilities to create a student-centered environment. As a proud Metallica Scholars partner, LCCC enhances the student experience by opening pathways to rewarding careers and continued academic success. Learn more at lccc.wy.edu.

About All Within My Hands

All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization conceived by the members and management of Metallica and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the Foundation supports. To date, All Within My Hands’ collective efforts have granted over $25M— providing $13.5M in grants to career and technical education programs, over $7.5M to combat food insecurity and more than $5M to disaster relief efforts. To learn more about All Within My Hands, visit AllWithinMyHands.org and follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About 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 more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s 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. https://www.aacc.nche.edu/