Aiken Technical College has been selected to participate in the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) for a second consecutive year. The college will receive $50,000 to continue supporting students enrolled in its computer technology and cybersecurity programs and courses.

As a senior in high school, Joe Deskevich enrolled in the CompTIA Security+ certification course offered by Aiken Technical College’s (ATC) Continuing Education (non-credit) division. Despite being the youngest among his peers, Joe embraced the challenge with unwavering determination. The transition from self-learning to structured education was invigorating, with an instructor guiding him through the complexities of cyber defense.

Kenier Falcon, of Batesburg, S.C., is a Metallica Scholar who completed the CompTIA A+ course at Aiken Tech during the fall of 2023.

Aiken, S.C. resident Sharon Long decided to return to the classroom to challenge herself and explore something new. The desire led her to enroll in a continuing education computer technology course at Aiken Technical College in the fall of 2023.

Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. Among the schools, Aiken Technical College (Aiken Tech) was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive $100,000 to transform the futures of students in the community.