Atherton, CA — September 18, 2025 — In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Menlo College is proud to announce the launch of its new Latino Leadership Program, an initiative designed to empower student leaders, strengthen democratic institutions, and contribute to the civic health of local communities.
The program will provide Menlo students with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to achieve their academic and career goals while encouraging meaningful engagement and leadership within, and for, Latino communities. While inspired by the need to expand pathways for Latino leadership, the program is open to students of all races and ethnicities who seek to develop their civic engagement and professional leadership potential.
Through a combination of planned coursework and co-curricular programming, students will engage in a wide range of activities, including field trips to cultural institutions, workshops with civic leaders, and community-based projects in the San Francisco Bay Area. The first cohort of students will graduate in 2027, aligning with Menlo College’s Centennial celebration.
“Latinos represent nearly 40% of California’s population but remain significantly underrepresented in positions of political and executive leadership nationwide,” said Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Melissa Michelson. “Menlo College is committed to addressing this gap by preparing our students—Latino and non-Latino alike—to become leaders who will shape the future of their communities and beyond.”
The launch of the Latino Leadership Program builds upon Menlo College’s status as a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Since receiving this designation in 2019, the College’s Latino student population has grown to 41%, well above the national average for U.S. colleges and universities.
Menlo College invites alumni, community partners, and friends of the College to join in supporting the program and its mission to prepare future leaders.
Visit our Giving Page to make a gift in support of the Latino Leadership Program and our website for more information.
Contact Information:
Press Contact: pr@menlo.edu
About Menlo College:
Menlo College is a small private, nonprofit college founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, as well as three graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Information Systems, a Master of Science in Financial Technology, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology. Menlo is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution.
