Menlo College, in partnership with Foothill College, has been awarded a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education for its “Menlo College and Foothill College Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs” project under the Title VI Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Languages (UISFL) program. The U.S. Department of Education will fund 50 percent of the cost of the project through an award of $525,867, with Menlo and Foothill contributing matching expenditures. The project director is Erik Bakke, Menlo College Executive Director for International Student Services.
Funds for the project will be used by Menlo College and Foothill College in a collaboration to promote international studies, study abroad, and foreign language study. Project objectives include: creating transfer pathways from Foothill College to the Menlo College B.S. in Business degree; expanding access to Menlo’s Study Abroad and Academic Global Immersion Programs; and engaging Menlo students in foreign language study at Foothill College.
The project aims to increase the participation in international education programs by students at Menlo College and Foothill College who have traditionally been underrepresented and face barriers to participation in those programs. “With generous support from the U.S. Department of Education, Menlo and Foothill will build on their institutional strengths so that more students will have access to these important international and intercultural educational opportunities that are often out of reach financially,” said Angela Schmiede, Vice President for Student Success & Strategic Planning at Menlo College. Kurt Hueg, Associate Vice President of Instruction at Foothill College said: “Foothill is thrilled to partner with Menlo College in expanding opportunities to students in study abroad, foreign language and international education, and in strengthening a transfer pathway for students seeking degrees in Business Administration and International Business. We are grateful for this grant to enable us to create exciting new opportunities for students.”
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. Menlo is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution.
Foothill College, a public community college, is part of the Foothill–De Anza Community College District. Founded in 1957, it is located in Los Altos Hills, California. Foothill’s vision includes educating “…students from diverse backgrounds that represent the demographics of the Bay Area, with particular attention to underserved and underrepresented populations.” The college is consistently ranked as one of the top community colleges in the nation, and offers associate degrees and certificates, career education, and preparation for transfer to a four-year university. Foothill also offers a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene and will soon offer a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy.
