Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College is one of 18 schools across the country to join the nationally recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative as a recipient of a $75,000 grant that will go toward student scholarships and equipment in the college’s Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics Technology program.
“We are incredibly excited to join the Metallica Scholars Initiative. It’s not every day you get to say Metallica, the band, is helping change lives in your region,” said STC Foundation and External Affair Executive Director Marcos Silva, Ed.D. “This support will make a meaningful difference for our students pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing, helping them gain skills and credentials needed to thrive in high-demand industries and strengthen our workforce across the Rio Grande Valley.”
The announcement was recently made by All Within My Hands (AWMH), the nonprofit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band that has been performing worldwide for more than four decades.
This year’s grant is the largest to date, totaling more than $3.3 million for scholarships, new schools, like STC, joining 75 returning colleges. Additionally, Metallica Scholars also expanded to the United Kingdom in partnership with Capital City College Group in London.
“This thing started as a dream,” said Metallica founder and vocalist James Hetfield. Now, our program is changing lives. To expand our impact on a global scale and support even more students is so rewarding. We’re so proud of all the Metallica Scholars who have come through it and all the ones who will participate in it. It’s humbling to know we’ve been part of the journey of thousands of trade professionals doing good, hard work in the world.”
STC Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics Department Chair Erika Guerra said the grant will cover scholarships and student support costs, such as toolkits that include calipers and micrometers for at least 20 students.
“The Advanced Manufacturing Technology department is honored to receive the Metallica Foundation Scholarship,” said Guerra. “This investment in our students will provide qualifying recipients with scholarships and professional toolkits, helping reduce financial barriers, improve retention and support their success as they prepare for careers in computer numerical controls (CNC) and precision machining.”
AWMH works closely with its long-time partner, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), with a core focus of supporting conventional trades, including welders, plumbers and electricians, while also adding fields that will generate the jobs of tomorrow.
According to a release from AWMH, the Metallica Scholars Initiative continues to evolve, supporting diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages. Year eight includes a wide range of fields, including nursing and healthcare, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and emergency medical services, pipefitting and agricultural pathways.
“Metallica Scholars Year Eight will see our largest-scale growth yet, as we anticipate supporting close to 4,000 new students in the United States and more than 1,000 learners in the UK,” said Peter Delgrosso, AWMH executive director. “This represents an approximate 40% increase in our student body, something we are incredibly excited about. Supporting people of all ages entering and ascending through trades is the right thing to do, not just domestically, but also abroad. Our Metallica Scholars have demonstrated resilience and a strong determination to succeed, which in turn motivates us to match their ambition.”
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., said the Metallica Scholars Initiative will be a game changer for many students at STC. For some, this will expand opportunities and completion that will lead to high-demand, high-paying careers.
“We are grateful to the Metallica Scholars Initiative for selecting STC as one of its recent grant recipients,” said Solis. “Not only will these funds go toward ensuring students have the money they need to pay for classes or to get the tools they need, but it will also enhance our student experience and career readiness within our Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics program. This national recognition is an investment in our students and our region; we are truly grateful for this opportunity.”
Information source: STC
