Metallica Scholars Initiative Grant Awarded to Automotive Technology

Posted Date: 9/8/25

ASU-Beebe is proud to announce its selection as one of 15 nationwide recipients to join Year 7 of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), which is supported by a generous $75,000 grant aimed at enhancing the ASU-Beebe automotive technology program.

 

The funding will provide 25 scholarships of $500 each to students in the automotive technology program and support the purchase of a Lucas Nuelle CarTrain ASE L3 Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Trainer.

 

The advanced equipment, paired with new curriculum, will allow students to build hands-on skills in electric and hybrid vehicle diagnostics, repair and safety procedures, preparing them for the growing demand for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) hybrid/electric certifications.

 

“This grant allows us to do more than expand our automotive technology program — it lets us change the trajectory of students’ lives,” said Dr. Jennifer Methvin, ASU-Beebe chancellor. “By combining scholarships with advanced EV training, ASU-Beebe is laying the foundation to become central Arkansas’ hub for electric vehicle technician training. Our dual approach, offering both for-credit courses and non-credit workforce training, ensures we can serve students starting their careers as well as technicians already in the field. We are honored to be part of the Metallica Scholars Initiative and excited to grow the future workforce of Arkansas.”

 

The initiative not only strengthens ASU-Beebe’s fast-growing automotive technology program but also creates opportunities for future non-credit training that will allow working technicians to upskill in electric vehicle technology. By offering pathways for both traditional students and current workers, ASU-Beebe is preparing to meet the state’s demand for skilled EV technicians while advancing regional economic development.

 

With this investment, ASU-Beebe is positioning itself as a regional leader in electric vehicle technician training, ensuring students have the financial support and industry-standard tools they need to succeed.

 

All Within My Hands (AWMH), 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 $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.

 

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,” stated Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, All Within My Hands. “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.

Arkansas State University-Beebe is an operationally separate, two-year institution of the Arkansas State University System. With campuses located in Beebe, Heber Springs, Searcy, Little Rock Air Force Base, and online, ASU-Beebe offers associate degrees, certificates, and non-credit training for business and industry.

 

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.

 

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/

 

Pictured: Aaron Hicks, instructor for automotive technology on the Searcy campus, helps students inspect and troubleshoot a vehicle’s mechanical issues.