Raritan Valley Community College’s efforts to meet the ever-evolving talent needs of local and regional employers will be greatly enhanced, thanks to its selection as one of 18 new schools joining the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). In joining this esteemed cohort, RVCC will receive a generous $75,000 grant that will support students interested in launching a career in the biopharmaceutical industry.
This is the eighth year of the Metallica Scholars Initiative, which was founded by All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica. This year, the organization announced that the initiative is offering over $3.3M—its largest grant to date. The 18 new U.S. schools will join the returning 75 colleges in the fall for a total of 93 in the program. In addition, later this year the Metallica Scholars Initiative will expand to the United Kingdom in partnership with Capital City College Group in London.
The $75,000 grant to RVCC will support 20 learners in a two-tier educational pathway, through the College’s Workforce Training Center. The training will result in certifications in two, highly sought areas: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Professional and Pharmaceutical Aseptic Cleaning and Processing.
The career training programs will prepare students for such in-demand positions as entry-level lab technicians, cleanroom operators, and biomanufacturing technicians. Students will be supported throughout the process, from onboarding through career transitions, including developing resumes, participating in mock interviews, and engaging with potential employers.
“It’s an incredible honor to be selected among the colleges joining the esteemed Metallica Scholars Initiative,” said RVCC President Michael J. McDonough. “We appreciate that Metallica understands the importance of the trades and workforce education in today’s world, and this generous funding will enable Raritan Valley Community College to prepare students for sought-after roles in New Jersey’s rapidly expanding biopharmaceutical industry.”
Added Conrad Mercurius, Executive Director of Workforce Development and Career Education at RVCC. “Many of the state’s employers consistently report critical workforce shortages in entry-level lab technicians and cleanroom operators, including those trained in Good Manufacturing Practices and aseptic environments. The Metallica Scholars Initiative will help RVCC address those vital employment needs.”
Said Metallica’s James Hetfield, “This 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’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.”
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, MSI focuses primarily on 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 healthcare, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and EMT, pipefitting, and agricultural pathways.
“The continued growth of the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a powerful testament to what’s possible when visionary philanthropy and community colleges come together around a shared mission,” said Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, President and CEO, AACC. “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’s 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.”
The initiative’s eighth iteration also marks the renewal of AWMH’s partnerships with Carhartt, Wolverine, CNH Construction, and Upstaging, Inc., as well as the addition of the Foundation’s newest partner, ServiceTitan. These corporate partners complement the Foundation’s Executive and Advisory Board Members and the broader Metallica Family, all of whom have played a role in advancing AWMH’s mission and driving its success.
“Metallica 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,” said Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, AWMH. 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.”
In addition to RVCC, the other 17 schools included in the new MSI cohort include: Barton Community College, Great Bend, KS; Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield, MA; Central Maine Community College, Auburn, ME; Delaware County Community College, Media, PA; Dutchess Community College, Fairview, NY; Fletcher Technical Community College, Terrebonne Parish, LA; Lake Region State College, Devils Lake, ND; Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City, MO; Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY; Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, IL; North Central State College, Mansfield, OH; Northeast State Community College, Blountville, TN; Northwest Mississippi Community College, Senatobia, MS; Riverside City College, Riverside, CA; South Texas College, McAllen, TX; Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC; and William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, IL.
For a complete list of all 93 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.
About Raritan Valley Community College
Ranked by WalletHub.com, Intelligent.com, and CollegeEvaluator.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community and environmental stewardship. It is home to a Planetarium, Science Education Institute, and 3M Observatory; a Theatre offering professional performances for all ages; and an Honors College for high achieving students.
The College offers approximately 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
About All Within My Hands
Established in 2017, 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. 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 $19M to career and technical education programs through its Metallica Scholars Initiative, $8.8M to combat food insecurity, and $6.2M to disaster relief and other critical local services worldwide. Visit AllWithinMyHands.org to learn more. 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. Visit https://www.aacc.nche.edu/
###
Images courtesy of AWMH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2026
Media contacts: (RVCC) Donna Stolzer, donna.stolzer@raritanval.edu; 908-526-1200, ext. 8383
(All Within My Hands Foundation) Renee Richardson, Director of Philanthropy, renee@allwithinmyhands.org; 415-458-1532, ext. 10
(American Association of Community Colleges) Dr. Martha M. Parham, Sr. Vice President, Public Relations, mparham@aacc.nche.edu; 202-728-0200
PR #14
