Two University of Hawaiʻi campuses, Leeward Community College and Honolulu Community College, have been awarded a combined $125,000 from All Within My Hands, the charitable foundation established by Metallica, to fuel workforce education in high-demand technical fields. The grants are part of the national Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), which supports community colleges across the country in expanding access to hands-on learning and career pathways.
Leeward CC: Mechatronics scholarships and rock-themed workshops
Leeward CC received a $75,000 grant to accelerate student success in its new Mechatronics Associate in Science (AS) program & introduce residents to advanced manufacturing careers.
- $45,000 will fund scholarships for 21 first-year Mechatronics students, covering tuition & textbooks across two semesters.
- $30,000 will support Rock-the-Lab workshops, engaging 75 community members in hands-on activities that connect music and mechatronics. Participants will learn about sound-to-light controllers, robotic drumming, & CNC “backstage” fabrications.
“This support helps our students stay on track and gives our community a powerful, hands-on first look at modern manufacturing,” said Bill Labby, mechatronics program coordinator at Leeward CC.
“The Metallica Scholars grant amplifies what community colleges do best—open doors, remove barriers, and connect talent to opportunity,” said Carlos Penaloza, chancellor of Leeward CC.
Honolulu CC: MELE & AERO programs take flight
Honolulu CC, a Metallica Scholars college since 2024, was awarded $50,000 in its second year of funding to support students in two dynamic programs:
- MELE (Music & Entertainment Learning Experience): 28 students in MELE 101 will receive funding.
- AERO (Aeronautics Maintenance Technology): 21 second-year students will benefit.
Each of the 49 students will receive $400 in Fall 2025 and $400 in Spring 2026, helping offset costs & keep them focused on building careers in music production and aviation maintenance.
“Having funding was really nice, especially for something that I love, which is music,” said William Nicolas, Honolulu CC MELE student and Metallica Scholars recipient, “I know there are so many opportunities in the MELE program. Metallica are literally heroes; it is crazy to have that connection to them! I grew up listening to them, it is surreal to have something like this happen.”
Metallica Scholars Initiative
All Within My Hands, the non-profit, 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 $3 million. MSI now has a presence in 75 colleges across all 50 U.S. and the territory of Guam, and is expected to reach approximately 10,000 students.
The Metallica Scholars grant amplifies what community colleges do best—open doors, remove barriers, and connect talent to opportunity.
—Carlos Penaloza, Leeward CC chancellor
Robert Trujillo, Metallica band member, stated “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. 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, 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.
For more information, visit the AWMH, visit the website.
