FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atherton, California, October 1, 2024 – Menlo College has been awarded $2,979,409 from the U.S. Department of Education for its “From Hispanic-Enrolling to Hispanic-Serving: Improving Outcomes for Hispanic and Low-Income Students at Menlo College” project under the Department of Education Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program. This award represents the largest grant that the College has ever received in its nearly 100-year history.
This grant marks an important milestone in the College’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts, as the campus has evolved from a predominantly white men’s college at its founding, to becoming co-educational in the 1970s, and now serving as one of a handful of US universities designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution. Menlo College is grateful to enter its next century well positioned to offer innovative and holistic student services that address the needs of a diverse student population.
Menlo College provides a variety of residence hall options, from traditional dormitories to suite-style living, all designed to offer a comfortable and supportive environment that encourages academic achievement and personal development.
Funds for the five-year project will be used to shape a comprehensive life-cycle approach to student services, emphasizing academic, mental health, and basic needs support. The project aims to open doors for people who may face hurdles and barriers to completing higher education.
Proposed grant activities will include:• Creating student advising services specifically targeted to support the unique needs of transfer students• Implementing a peer success coaching program to provide 1:1 peer support to students• Expanding and improving mental health and basic needs student services, including engagement programming to enhance belonging; and• Focusing and improving student communications through technology and programming.
The U.S. Department of Education will fund 74% percent of the cost of the project. The remainder will be supported by Menlo College.
“This transformative grant from the U.S. Department of Education will have a profound impact on our students’ lives,” said Devin Carr, Dean of Student Affairs at Menlo College. “We are committed to creating a campus environment where all students can thrive. This funding will enable us to strengthen our existing support systems and provide essential resources that empower our evolving student body to achieve their academic and career goals.”
Angela Schmiede, Ph.D.Project Director & Vice President for Student Successangela.schmiede@menlo.edu
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.” A residential college in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, and masters degrees in sport and performance psychology and information systems.
