2021-22 Year in Review: Menlo College Students Celebrated with Scholarships and Recognition Posted on June 29, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Throughout the first year back on campus since the start of the pandemic, students clearly made their mark representing Menlo College. Supported by faculty, staff, and alumni, Menlo College students earned prestigious scholarships and recognition from various organizations. “These students are highly deserving of all of the recognition bestowed upon them. The entire community can be inspired by their recognition, and I am thankful for the continued support our alumni, faculty, and staff show for the next generation of industry leaders,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. Five Oaks join Financial Executives International Advisory Board This year, two Menlo College juniors Khalid Shatrat ’23 and Margaux Theol ’23 (pictured above) were each named winners of the 2022 Financial Executives International Silicon Valley (FEISV) scholarship. The Silicon Valley chapter of FEI awards scholarships to approximately a dozen outstanding students in Finance and Accounting from Bay Area colleges. Through a competitive selection process, the scholarship candidates were vetted by FEISV’s faculty and administrative contacts. Menlo College finance and accounting faculty facilitated the scholarship selection process, and former Menlo trustee and alumnus Harry Kellogg ’63 sponsored the scholarships for Menlo College students. Samuele Mian ’22, Mary Felienne Rose Dante ’23, and Jake Tranter ’23 were also nominated for the scholarship. All finalists received an invitation to join the FEI Rising Stars Advisory Board and are eligible to join FEISV as complementary undergraduate members. Learn more about Menlo’s Finance Major! Four Oaks earn CalCPA Scholarships During the CalCPA Awards Night in December 2021, four Menlo students were honored with CalCPA scholarships. Congratulations to (from clockwise, top left) Nick Camacho ‘22, Anjelie Jen Reveche ‘23, Khalid Shatrat ‘23, and Stina Svanlund ‘21! CalCPA is a professional association dedicated to bringing together, and providing continuing education for, certified professional accountants in California. Learn more about Menlo’s Accounting Major! Menlo College Names Fifth Annual Cohort to Stanford’s UIF program This year’s Menlo College University Innovation Fellows cohort of student innovators was represented by Chara Higaki ‘22, Lina Lakoczky-Torres ‘22, Andrea Restrepo ‘23, and Bryan Zaremba ‘23. The UIF group aimed to deepen the connections within the student body, enhance the attractiveness of clubs and events, and foster professional development opportunities for all students. This is the fifth year Menlo has participated in the program, run by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design. Guided by Professor Emeritus of Management and Innovation Bruce Paton and VP of Student Success and Strategic Planning Angela Schmiede, former fellows launched the Innovation Center, led three TechStars Startup Weekends, and organized the first-ever TEDxMenloCollege event. “I have seen just how these student innovators have created important change at our school,” Professor Paton said. “It’s a privilege to support them and a credit to the work we do in the entrepreneurship and innovation major at Menlo College.” Learn more about the UIF program from Lina’s episode of Menlo Faces or read the article on menlo.edu! First-to-Go College Student Celebrated Rita Abdel-Malek ‘22 was featured as a PCF Scholar at The Peninsula College Fund’s “Empowering a New Generation of Leaders” annual fundraiser. The event is held to support first-generation college students from low income households, and this year honored Rita for her college journey as a PCF Scholar. Rita has amplified community voices with policy making and activism throughout her academic career. She secured three internships, including one in Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s office and one working as Chief of Staff for the Democratic Congressional Campaign for Greg Tanaka. Rita is well-positioned for opportunities after graduation with long-term goals to work in a congressional office as a legislative aide and run for County Board Supervisor in the Bay Area. Find out more about Menlo’s required Internship Program! Learn more about academic achievement at Menlo: Bianca Neme-Barros ‘21 Named FEISV Scholarship WinnerMenlo College Students Explore International Business in Inaugural Academic Global Immersion ProgramFour Student Innovators Named to Stanford’s University Innovation Fellows Program
Focused on Student Success: Menlo College Earns Three New 2022 Top College Rankings Posted on May 5, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Menlo College is proud of its three latest top college rankings. By focusing on student success, Menlo College lands on top for ROI (return on investment), equity creation, and careful resource management. As a leading business school, Menlo College is committed to all of its diverse students. With:99% of students receiving financial aid;A 360-degree academic support system; and,A mandatory internship program, Menlo College students are positioned for future success. College rankings systems are increasingly changing their analyses to include what Menlo College has long known: A college education is a major investment for any student, and a college community must therefore squarely focus on student success.#45 Globally for Alumni EmploymentOnce again showing the success of Menlo College graduates, alumni rank #45 in the world for having held executive positions at the world’s largest companies. This is a top 3% ranking among the nearly 1,600 colleges and universities the CWUR considered. The College also ranks in the top 7% globally for academic excellence, demonstrating that Menlo students are educated to achieve success at large companies and more.Simply put: “Menlo gave me the skills on how to build relationships,” says Saeed Amidi ‘83, founder of Plug and Play, a Silicon-Valley based start-up incubator, in an interview on his Menlo College experience. Maximizing ROI for Low-Income StudentsThe Center for Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University ranked Menlo in the top 8.0% of colleges in America for ROI among its low-income students. This ranking was calculated based on the average price of a degree, graduation rate, and future earnings for this group of students. With these three factors, Menlo College ranks highly on ensuring Pell Grant recipient students achieve the same results as their non-Pell Grant recipient peers. Pell Grant recipients represent 35% of Menlo College students, and supporting them as they pursue their degrees is a priority for the campus community.The Financial Aid office at Menlo College works with all students to meet their financial needs to ensure they can attend Menlo College. With this aid, students earn an affordable college degree that reflects a relevant, effective education. #11 in America for Academic StewardshipAdding to the new top college rankings is Menlo College’s ranking as #11 in Academic Stewardship by Academic Influence. Menlo College is recognized for being financially efficient and mission-focused. In other words, as a small, private, mainly residential college with proven-ROI, Menlo College delivers the best possible education, experience, and outcome for its diverse student population.“Every member of the Menlo College community can take pride in the recognitions we are earning. These awards reflect our commitment to be the best investment students can make in themselves. These rankings reflect Menlo’s focus on helping every student to succeed,” Menlo College President Steven Weiner said.Menlo College: The Best Investment a Student Can Make in ThemselvesThe College is squarely focused on creating an environment that fosters student success and changes the trajectory of student lives. Menlo graduates maximize their ROI and post-graduation earnings by landing jobs at Silicon Valley’s top companies – or starting companies of their own! This commitment to success is reflected in the College’s most recent rankings by the Center for World University Rankings, Georgetown University, and Academic Influence.“As a Political Science student, I have direct access to Dean Melissa Michelson, the Dean of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Political Science, who teaches and works in the fields of Political Science and Public Policy. She has taken the time to connect me with regional leaders who tackle issues revolving around affordable housing, financial aid, and immigration. Most recently, I was connected with a Community Engagement professional who hired me to work on a county campaign, tackling systemic disparities.” Diana Guardado ‘23, Social Media Marketing Intern at Hope and Heal Fund.These rankings add to Menlo’s current standings as:The 16th most diverse college in America by Niche;The 11th best business school in the U.S. by Money;Top 16% of colleges by Forbes;A “Best in the West” college by The Princeton Review for the 12th year in a row, and;A Five-Star Champions of Character Institution by the NAIA.Read more about Menlo’s recognition for focusing on student success:All of Menlo College’s Recent Rankings and ReviewsFour New Top College Rankings: Menlo College Students See ROIMenlo College Offers Two New In-Demand Degree Programs with Business Analytics Major and Political Science MinorHigh ROI for Menlo Students: New Top College RankingsMenlo College Designated as a Minority Serving InstitutionAbout Menlo CollegeMenlo College was established in 1927. It is a small, private, non-profit, four-year, accredited, residential college located in Atherton, California. Menlo College’s location in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative geographical areas, has enabled the college to create a valuable market niche for its students locally — as well as globally. Menlo College cultivates in its students the skills, integrity, and passion to make meaningful contributions in an innovation economy.
Celebrating Volunteers at Menlo College Posted on April 28, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Volunteerism and service are at the heart of the Menlo College community. Academic Achievers Give Back to the Community This academic year, led by Accounting Professor Ruixue Du, Menlo relaunched its participation in the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. One of Menlo’s standout Accounting students, Moncerrat Barriga Villalobos ’22 undertook five training sessions followed by a VITA exam. After passing her exam, Moncerrat subsequently volunteered five Saturdays in a row to help prepare tax filings for low-income residents in San Mateo County. “Participating in VITA was a wonderful experience and it was an honor to put my skills to use. I appreciated the opportunity to help these residents complete their tax filings while also honing my accounting skills,” said Moncerrat. What’s more, Menlo College also relaunched its Alpha Chi program this year. The program is reserved for Menlo students who have secured a spot among the top 10% of academic performers in the College. After earning their place in the program, Alpha Chi participants then hosted students from local Sequoia High School to share the benefits of a college education with prospective students. “This program helps high school students develop critical social skills and encourages their academic achievement,” Dean of the School of Business and Professor of Business Analytics Mouwafac Sidaoui related. “It helps them discover their sense of belonging in a college community and broadens their perspectives for future career and academic opportunities. Menlo College students have an important role to play in helping high school students envision themselves on their way to success.” Supporting One Another on Campus In addition to volunteerism with the local community through academics, Menlo formally launched its Community Refrigerator and Food Pantry in the 2021-22 academic year. Since then, in addition to the support from seed funding from the Menlo Park Rotary Foundation, the Basic Needs Task Force raises funds from those on campus as well as secures volunteers to go food shopping, to keep the provisions plenished. “Our goal on the Basic Needs Task Force is to ensure that no one goes to class hungry,” said Student Government Association President and Basic Needs Task Force Chair Rasmia Shuman ’22. “Thanks to an amazing team of volunteers, the refrigerator and pantry are constantly replenished, keeping our community fed and strong. The team has plans to expand into other areas of identified need, like health and hygiene supplies, and professional clothing, too.” Service to others is also reflected in alumni involvement on campus. For example, at the most recent Career Connect Day, a record number of more than 20 alumni volunteered to share their insights and wisdom into achieving professional success with current students. “I was a full-tuition room and board scholarship student. I would never have had the opportunity for a successful career without the education, skills, knowledge I gained at Menlo. I never would’ve had this beautiful network of Menlo friends to get jobs from and give jobs to. I owe my career to Menlo College, and so what I owe, I pay back. … Being involved at Menlo post-graduation has enriched me in a million ways,” Frances Mann-Craik ’76 said. Menlo Athletics Consistently Earn National Recognition in Volunteerism The Menlo Athletics program is another area of the College that excels in volunteerism. For more than 10 years (with a pandemic interruption), Menlo Athletics was named a “Champions of Character” institution by the NAIA. Part of the recognition is due to the program’s dedication to service. For example, the Athletics Department runs a drive every year for a local organization to provide gifts for underserved youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. A complete list of recent activities by team is available on the Menlo Athletics website. “Service is very important to Menlo Athletics. It is our aim that our student-athletes become leaders, and part of learning to be a leader is to be in service to others. It’s a cornerstone of athletic programming that reinforces the role athletics can play in molding the leaders of tomorrow,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics Keith Spataro. A History of Service at Menlo College Beyond the volunteer programming embedded in the Menlo curricula, Menlo also serves as a physical host for various civic and cultural events. During election time, Menlo transforms into a community polling station. The College also co-hosts the annual sculpture show, bringing larger-than-life art from around the world to campus for the Bay Area to enjoy. “Menlo’s mission is for its graduates to make meaningful contributions to the innovation economy. The students of today are interested in doing so, as well as creating a more just, equitable, and harmonious world. Their passion is reflected in the time and dedication they – and our whole community – put into serving those around them,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. Read more: Applying to Menlo CollegeOpening with Artistry: Menlo College Reopens Campus with a New Sculpture DonationMenlo College Named NAIA Five Star Champions of Character Institution for 10th Consecutive Year About Menlo College Menlo College was established in 1927. It is a small, private, non-profit, four-year, accredited, residential college located in Atherton, California. Menlo College’s location in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative geographical areas, has enabled the college to create a valuable market niche for its students locally — as well as globally. Menlo College cultivates in its students the skills, integrity, and passion to make meaningful contributions in an innovation economy.
Tenacious Football Legend and Menlo College Alum Mark Speckman Set to Inspire the Class of 2022 Posted on February 15, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Speckman Brings a Relatable Story to the Menlo College Class of 2022 Menlo College is thrilled to announce alumnus Mark Speckman ‘74 as the speaker for the College’s 94th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 21, 2022. As Menlo College students will attest, the pandemic brought on many unforeseen challenges for all: students abruptly adjusted to remote learning, with many in different time zones. In addition, with a student-athlete population of nearly 50%, about half of students had their athletic career interrupted or put on hold entirely during the pandemic. And yet, despite these challenges, Menlo College students persevered. Campus reopened in person in Fall 2021 and sports competitions have safely resumed, rebounding Menlo’s school spirit. It is only fitting that the Class of 2022 receives a commencement speaker that can relate to these struggles and triumphs. “I am thrilled to have Mark Speckman as my 2022 Commencement Speaker. It means a lot to me that Menlo College has chosen an alum who has a personal admiration of and dedication to the school. More importantly, he can relate to the challenges all my peers have faced for the past two years. Speckman is an inspiration, not only to the hundreds of student-athletes on campus, but to all students, including me,” said Michaela Haynes ‘22. With an impressive, 40-year coaching career in professional, college, and high school football, Speckman has excelled throughout with a major physical disability: being born without hands. Overcoming the challenge, Speckman is recognized nationally for his football expertise. In 2008, Speckman was a finalist for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year and he was named American Football Coaches Association West Region Coach of the Year. In all, he has been named a conference Coach of the Year 12 times. Speckman has also been inducted into four Athletic Hall of Fames as a player or coach, including the Menlo College Athletics Hall of Fame. In football, Speckman is regarded as a leading developer of the “FLY” offense, a system he pioneered and used nationwide. Speckman is living proof that anything is possible with hard work and determination. Successful Menlo College Alum Returns to his Roots “I am honored to speak at Menlo College’s graduation ceremony this spring,” said Speckman. “This is a special place for me; Menlo took a kid with no hands and gave him a chance to go to college. Menlo educated me, employed me — and housed me. I am fired up to be back to speak to the members of the Class of 2022!” Speckman first joined the Menlo College community as a student himself. In his sophomore year, he beat the odds and earned 2nd team all-league honors for the Oaks in the Coast Conference. After graduating from Menlo, Speckman went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences at Azusa Pacific University. There, he played football as a linebacker and earned an honorable mention of All-American honors. Speckman went on to build a lifelong career in football, coaching at Menlo College, Willamette University, the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes, Lawrence University, and presently with UC Davis. His experiences playing and coaching football with a physical disability also paved the way for Speckman’s accomplished motivational speaking career and his own book: Figure it Out: How I Learned to Live in a Digital World Without Digits. “It will be an honor to host Mark Speckman at this year’s commencement ceremony. As a dynamic, resilient alumnus, Speckman’s perspective on overcoming adversity will be particularly inspiring for our graduates; all of whom have endured the pandemic during the majority of their college experience,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. Mark Speckman ‘74 will join a long list of notable commencement speakers. Learn more here: Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng – Political Peace Builder, Educator, Author – 2021Yasunobu Kyogoku – Venture Capitalist, Innovator, Serial Business Executive- 2019Dr. Mar Hershenson – Business Executive, Entrepreneur, Electrical Engineer – 2018Past Commencement Speakers About Menlo CollegeMenlo College was established in 1927. It is a small, private, non-profit, four-year, accredited, residential college located in Atherton, California. Menlo College’s location in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative geographical areas, has enabled the college to create a valuable market niche for its students locally — as well as globally. Menlo College cultivates in its students the skills, integrity, and passion to make meaningful contributions in an innovation economy.
Menlo College’s Annual Career Connect Day Set for In-Person Return on April 5, 2022 Posted on January 20, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Menlo College is proud to announce that the annual Career Connect Day is officially set for Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Career Connect Day is a flagship, student-focused event that provides career and professional development opportunities to Menlo College students of all majors and class years. After two years of virtual sessions, this year’s Career Connect Day is scheduled to be held in-person with a morning full of guest speakers, panel discussions, and workshops, followed by an afternoon featuring on-campus interviews and a Career Fair event. “Career Connect Day helps students build social capital through networking, and aligns with our mission to guide students on their paths to contributing to an innovation economy,” said Dylan Houle, Executive Director of Internships and Career Services. “This event has consistently served as an excellent opportunity for students to connect with professionals across a variety of industries, and they are excited for its in-person return in 2022.” This year’s theme of “Return To Work?” will explore how companies and workers have adapted to, and been affected by, the pandemic. Conversation topics will include: The shift to remote work, “essential” workers, mental health and wellness, social justice and politics in the workplace, the future of work, and more. The career fair is open to all students across all majors. Employers who come to campus will be recruiting for full-time and part-time jobs, as well as internships, and graduate schools will also participate. Volunteers can submit proposals to lead presentations, panel discussions, or real interviews with students on Career Connect Day by the January 31 deadline. Menlo College alumni engage with students through Career Connect Day Throughout Career Connect Day, alumni and volunteers lead workshops, deliver presentations, host panel discussions, or conduct real interviews with students looking for jobs and internships. In 2021, 13 Menlo College alumni spanning the 2020s, 2010s, 2000s, and 1990s participated in panel discussions, representing a variety of industries that included accounting, business management, finance, human resources, international management, marketing, political sciences, real estate and sports management. “[Hearing] the experience that former students at Menlo College had was a great experience and made me mentally ready for [my] future journey,” said Shomei Kadota ’22. The College is currently seeking volunteers to lead these morning sessions on career, industry, and professional development-related topics, and proposals for presentations can be submitted here. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2022. Career Connect Day highlights the Office of Internships & Career Services’ commitment to student success Career Connect Day is part of the Office of Internships & Career Services’ ongoing efforts to provide students with unique opportunities in their pursuits of their professional goals. Those efforts helped Menlo College earn the Outstanding College Work Experience & Internship Award from the California Internship & Work Experience Association in 2019. This award recognizes innovative student internship programs that provide unique opportunities to gain skills and on-the-job-training experiences. With initiatives like Career Connect Day and the student internship program, the Office of Internships & Career Services has recently propelled more than 85% of Menlo College students to employment or graduate programs within six months of their graduation. It contributes to Menlo College’s top college rankings by PayScale, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Menlo alumni can be found at countless elite companies like Google, Apple, LinkedIn, and more. Many also go on to start their own businesses. Read more: Menlo College Receives the 2019 Outstanding College Work Experience and Internship Program AwardFour New Top College Rankings: Menlo College Students see ROIStudent Success at Menlo College
