To empower exceptional leadership for stronger democratic institutions and improved civic health, Menlo College is creating the Latino Leadership Program. Student participants will take an active role in neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area, contributing to the civic health of local communities. The program will provide students with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to realize their full academic and professional leadership potential and to inspire meaningful engagement and leadership opportunities within, and for, Latino communities. The program will benefit Menlo College students of all races and ethnicities in achieving their academic and career goals.
Students can join the Latino Leadership Program in one of two ways: either by meeting the GPA requirement, or through the individual recommendation process. Those seeking to participate via GPA need to have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Those unable to meet the GPA requirement can seek to join the program by submitting a personal essay and a letter of recommendation to the Dean of Arts & Sciences. Those who join the program with the GPA requirement but whose GPA falls below 3.0 can maintain membership by submitting a personal essay and a letter of recommendation.
All Leadership Program students are expected to actively participate in co-curricular program activities. Students graduating in May 2027 or later are also expected to declare the Latino Leadership minor (once approved).
Students interested in joining the program, either with a qualifying GPA or with an essay and letter of recommendation, should complete this form.
Latino Leadership Program students will be part of an interactive cohort of scholars engaging in the Latino Leadership minor (when approved), as well as co-curricular programming that includes off-campus field trips and on-campus workshops designed to enhance their academic and personal development and success, thereby cultivating the next generation of leaders. These might include:
The core of the program will be a Latino Leadership minor: a series of courses to be completed during each student’s time in the program. Once approved, courses in the minor will include:
The first graduates of the Latino Leadership Program will cross the stage in the spring of 2027, the year of Menlo’s Centennial celebration.
The U.S. Latino population is growing in size and influence. Latinos now represent 18% of the U.S. population, growing over 23% between 2010 and 2020 (compared to just 4.3% growth among the non-Latino population). Today, Latinos are the largest ethnic group in California, representing almost 40% of the state’s population. At the same time, Latinos are underrepresented in executive and political leadership – here in California and throughout the U.S. Nationwide, Latinos hold just 5.3% of executive positions (Swerzenski et al., 2020) and only about 2% of elected officials (Benavides, 2024).
A 2023 report from the Latino Leadership Institute concluded that the gap has widened over time and is projected to increase further by 2050 (Latino Leadership Institute 2023). Individuals seeking to contribute to Latino communities as political and economic leaders need cultural competency grounded in an understanding of Latino history and culture.
Despite the clear need, a shortfall in programs focused on cultivating such leadership remains, presenting a significant opportunity for new initiatives to fill the gap. Menlo College is launching a program that will serve as a national model.
The federal government first recognized Menlo College as an HSI in 2019. Since that time, Menlo’s Hispanic student enrollment has continued to increase. From 36% five years ago, Latino students now represent 41% of all domestic students (independent of those who declare themselves to be of two or more races). Compared to all colleges and universities in the U.S., Menlo’s Latino student population is 13% higher.
