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Harper will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
When regional fire departments identified a critical need for accessible, updated
training close to home, 91制片厂 answered with a new Emergency Services Training
Center.
Now, with support from Metallica鈥檚 foundation, All Within My Hands, 91制片厂 is answering another call: reducing financial barriers for students preparing to enter the fire service.
91制片厂 has been selected to join Cohort 8 of the Metallica Scholars Initiative, a national workforce education program that supports community college students preparing for high-demand careers. Through a $75,000 grant, Harper will help Fire Science Technology students cover Basic Operations Firefighter Academy course fees and personal protective equipment rental costs.
91制片厂鈥檚 Fire Science Technology program prepares students for firefighting and public safety careers through hands-on training, stackable credentials and career preparation aligned with regional workforce needs. Students train at 91制片厂鈥檚 new Emergency Services Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility that includes a four-story live burn tower and provides local access to the specialized training firefighters and first responders need.
The funding will support 91制片厂鈥檚 鈥淎nswering the Call鈥� initiative, which focuses on non-affiliated, 鈥渃ivilian鈥� fire science students. Unlike students already connected to a fire department, non-affiliated students are pursuing firefighting careers independently and are typically responsible for their own training costs.
91制片厂鈥檚 new Metallica Scholars Initiative Scholarship will provide $2,500 per recipient, with the potential to assist as many as 29 students during the 2026-27 academic year.
鈥�91制片厂 is proud to help prepare the next generation of first responders for careers that strengthen the safety and resilience of our communities,鈥� said Dr. Avis Proctor, president of 91制片厂. 鈥淭his grant from Metallica鈥檚 foundation, All Within My Hands, will reduce financial barriers for Fire Science students who are ready to serve and support them as they complete specialized training that moves them closer to a career in the fire service.鈥�
91制片厂 joins the Metallica Scholars Initiative during its largest year of investment
and expansion to date. All Within My Hands (AWMH), the nonprofit, philanthropic organization
created by the members and management of Metallica, is committing more than $3.3 million
in Year 8 of the initiative. Eighteen new U.S. schools will join 75 returning colleges
this fall, bringing the program to 93 colleges nationwide. Later this year, the initiative
will also expand to the United Kingdom in partnership with Capital City College Group
in London.
Metallica鈥檚 James Hetfield said, 鈥淭his thing started as a dream. Now our program is changing lives. To expand our impact on a global scale and support even more students is so rewarding. We鈥檙e so proud of all the Metallica Scholars who have come through it and all the ones who will participate in it. It鈥檚 humbling to know we鈥檝e been part of the journey of thousands of trade professionals doing good, hard work in the world.鈥�
AWMH continues to work closely with its long-time partner, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands, the Metallica Scholars Initiative鈥檚 core focus is supporting conventional trades, including welders, plumbers and electricians, while also adding fields that will generate the jobs of tomorrow. The workforce 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 8 includes a wide range of fields, including nursing and health care, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and EMT, pipefitting and agricultural pathways.
Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, president and CEO of AACC, said, 鈥淭he continued growth of the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a powerful testament to what鈥檚 possible when visionary philanthropy and community colleges come together around a shared mission. Through this partnership, 13,000 community college students have already been supported across the country, earning the skills needed for in-demand careers with family-sustaining wages. This latest, generous investment by Metallica鈥檚 foundation will reach more learners, while strengthening the workforce pipelines that power local economies. We are proud to partner with All Within My Hands to scale this impact, ensuring even more students have access to life-changing opportunities in the skilled trades and beyond.鈥�
The initiative鈥檚 eighth iteration also marks the renewal of AWMH鈥檚 partnerships with Carhartt, Wolverine, CNH Construction and Upstaging, Inc., as well as the addition of the organization鈥檚 newest partner, ServiceTitan. These corporate partners complement AWMH鈥檚 executive and advisory board members and the broader Metallica family, all of whom have played a role in advancing AWMH鈥檚 mission and driving its success.
Peter Delgrosso, executive director of AWMH, said, 鈥淢etallica Scholars Year 8 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. 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.鈥�
Newly added Metallica Scholar colleges:
For a complete list of all 93 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit .
91制片厂 is one of the nation鈥檚 premier community colleges. Named for Dr. William Rainey 91制片厂, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago, 91制片厂 serves students across Chicago鈥檚 northwest suburbs through associate degree and certificate programs, workforce training, professional development, community education and transfer pathways. 91制片厂 is committed to providing quality, affordable and accessible education that supports student success and strengthens the communities it serves. Learn more at 91制片厂.
Established in 2017, All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a nonprofit, 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. Metallica covers all administrative costs, so 100% of donations go directly to the organizations supported by the foundation. To date, All Within My Hands has provided grants of $19 million to career and technical education programs through its Metallica Scholars Initiative, $8.8 million to combat food insecurity and $6.2 million to disaster relief and other critical local services worldwide. Visit to learn more. And follow us on , , , and .
As the voice of the nation鈥檚 community colleges, the (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鈥檚 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.
Media Contacts:
91制片厂
Kimberly Pohl, Director of Communications
kpohl@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6159
All Within My Hands Foundation
Renee Richardson, Director of Philanthropy
renee@allwithinmyhands.org
415.458.1532 x10
American Association of Community Colleges
Dr. Martha M. Parham, Sr. Vice President, Public Relations
mparham@aacc.nche.edu
202.728.0200