Menlo College’s Dean of Arts and Sciences Expands on Commitment to Engaging Student Voters ahead of 2022 Elections Posted on April 25, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Dean of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Political Science Melissa Michelson this month launched the Student Vote Research Network (SVRN), an inclusive, collaborative space for scholars, students, advocacy organizations, and community practitioners to come together to grow college student voter engagement through research and programming. Student voter turnout has surged in recent years, doubling from 2014 to 2018, and students voted at nearly the same rate as the general population in the November 2020 election after decades of low rates of participation. The SVRN seeks to grow student civic engagement even further, with a goal of 100% student turnout. Increasing student civic engagement is seen by scholars as crucial to the future of the health of democracy, and to giving younger Americans a voice in political decisions that affect their lives such as student debt, funding for higher education, and the economy. Menlo College Contributes to National Initiatives to Increase Student Voter Turnout Many scholars and organizations have worked to understand student turnout over the past few decades, including the National Study of Learning Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) and other coalition spaces. SVRN brings the conversation together into a single network, in order to cultivate cross-pollination of ideas, research findings, and on-the-ground knowledge from students and practitioners. “We’re looking to bring together all of these individuals and organizations who have been working independently in isolation so that we can be clear on best practices, what we need to know, and what we need to add,” Dean Michelson said. Nearly 1,000 colleges committed to making a plan for achieving 100% student voter participation in the 2022 elections, and the Student Vote Research Network aims to help these institutions achieve their goals. Co-founded by Democracy House, an organization co-founded by Ian Simmons, the Student Vote Research Network will officially launch on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 with an inaugural Workshop on the State of the Student Vote. This will be a collaborative space for dialogue among scholars, students, and advocates dedicated to growing college student voter engagement. Attendees will be able to share knowledge, workshop ongoing projects together, and brainstorm ideas about research initiatives. Mobilization Continues Around Campus in Effort to Increase Voter Participation More locally, a team of 12 students at Menlo College is working with Dean Michelson toward the 100% participation goal, supported by a grant from the San Mateo County Voter Engagement Fund. The initiative is looking to increase voter turnout through one-on-one outreach by student leaders, visual reminders on campus and on social media, use of classroom time to allow students to register, and easily-accessed educational materials. The Menlo College Student Voter Mobilization Plan’s specific activities also include on-campus registration drives in April, as well as a ballot completion festival in mid-May after vote-by-mail ballots arrive. For the past decade, Menlo College has also hosted an on-campus polling place, including options for on-site registration and early voting. President Steven Weiner also recently signed the ALL IN Presidents’ Commitment, a commitment as part of the ALL IN Challenge to reach full student voter registration and voter participation in all elections. These recent activities are the latest in a lineage of political engagement research and activity on college campuses by Dean Michelson. In 2021, Dean Michelson ran a study with the Ask Every Student (AES) initiative, featuring participation from more than 2,200 students at 14 campuses nationwide to support campus efforts to achieve full student voter registration. “During the pandemic and the shift to virtual learning, many campuses were unable to conduct their planned face-to-face voter registration and turnout efforts,” Dean Michelson said. “This study explored how well they were able to pivot to online outreach. We also found persistent points of friction and surprising effects of spillover to families. The results will help guide future efforts, and future studies, as we continue to work toward the goal of 100% participation.” Through this collaboration, Michelson produced ground-breaking scholarship that confirmed the efficacy of the AES program, as well as provided important insights on how to make the program more effective in the future. Menlo College Students Turning Interest in Political Science into Majors and Minors Michelson’s leadership in student voter research and advocacy efforts line up with the College’s recent creation of a Political Science Minor, which officially made its debut in 2021-22. Many Menlo students have created their own Political Science major on campus through the Individualized College Major program, as well. Two of these students, Student Government Association President Rasmia Shuman ‘22 and Latinx Club Treasurer Diana Guardado ‘23, are co-leading the current #MenloTo100 effort. “I have learned that the study of Political Science exists not only to provide students with a form of living after graduation; more importantly, it is intended to educate students on how to advocate and promote the well-being of their community,” Guardado said. “Politics play an important role in every person’s life,” Dean Michelson said. “To educate students on political science is to support advocacy and social justice.” Applying to Menlo CollegeCelebrating Volunteers at Menlo CollegeFocused on Student Success: Menlo College Earns Three New 2022 Top College Rankings 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.
Menlo College Students Explore International Business in Inaugural Academic Global Immersion Program Posted on April 7, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Menlo College students recently visited the United Arab Emirates as part of the new Academic Global Immersion (AGI) program. Led by Dean of the School of Business Mouwafac Sidaoui, the AGI program prepares students for leadership roles through visits with global companies. “It is valuable for students to understand cultural challenges and opportunities around the world,” Dean Sidaoui said. “Through conversations with business executives, students are able to bridge the gap between what they learn in the classroom and the implications these things have in the real world.” Academic Global Immersion Students Feel “More Equipped” In January of 2022, nine Menlo College students from five countries participated in the program. They met with Green Energy Solutions & Sustainability, LLC., the UAE’s Ministry of Economy, the Emirates National Oil Company, and participated in the Dubai EXPO. “I gained insight into environmental dynamics and business trends in developing economies,” Samuele Mian ‘22 said. “I also saw the challenges and opportunities in diversifying a cosmopolitan society and a growth-oriented economy.” “Academic Global Immersion brought a new lens into my life,” Chara Higaki ‘22 said. “I saw a world that accepted different religions and cultures as they are. I found my calling to be a voice for change and a voice for women. I feel more equipped to take advantage of my education. This will be a great tool to use for the rest of my life.” The AGI program will offer trips to students in January and May each year. Academic Global Immersion Contributes to Menlo College’s Award-Winning Experiential Learning Model All Menlo College business students participate in an academic internship program. Menlo students have interned at Apple, Deloitte, Marriott, SAP, Tesla, and Marriott. They also participate in a seminar to enhance their experiential learning. Menlo College received the 2019 Outstanding College Work Experience & Internship Program Award from the California Internship & Work Experience Association. The award recognizes innovative programs that provide unique opportunities to gain skills and on-the-job training. Read more: Menlo College’s Academic Global Immersion ProgramApplying to Menlo CollegeMenlo College Receives the 2019 Outstanding College Work Experience and Internship Program AwardFour New Top College Rankings: Menlo College Students see ROIStudent Success at Menlo CollegeAll of Menlo College’s Rankings and Reviews 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.
Menlo College Offers Two New In-Demand Degree Programs with Business Analytics Major and Political Science Minor Posted on March 29, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Meeting Student and Employer Needs with In-Demand Degree Programs Menlo College makes student success in the workplace a top priority. With a strong academic base, students land highly-sought after jobs through Menlo’s in-demand degree programs. As new Menlo College graduates begin their professional careers, Menlo’s faculty and the Office of Internships & Career Services stay in close contact with these alumni and their employers. Gathering their feedback and taking in current student interests, the College’s leadership makes sure its majors and minors stay ahead of employment trends for years to come. “A foremost aim of the College is to prepare students for successful and meaningful careers. Menlo values feedback from its graduates and their employers to ensure our students are prepared to enter and lead at the cutting edge of the business world. Our degree programs have changed, and will continue to change, to best align with what the workforce needs – today and tomorrow,” said Provost Grande Lum. Business Analytics: A New In-Demand Major for Business Students Menlo College’s Business Analytics Major was formally launched in the 2021-22 school year, led by Dean of the School of Business and Professor of Business Analytics and Data Science Mouwafac Sidaoui and Assistant Professor of Business Analytics and Sports Management Sean Pradhan. Along with coursework, the major requires participation in Menlo’s required internship program. Students pursuing the Business Analytics Major dive into subjects such as big data analytics, coding for analytics, data visualization, technoethics, and digital transformation, and specific topics like thinking like a data scientist. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job growth for business analysts will reach 15.2% through 2030, with median incomes over $80,000. Countless Bay Area employers that count Menlo alums among their employees, including Amanda Byers ‘13 at Amazon, Ngozi Harrison ‘19 at YouTube, and Brittany Olguin ‘15 at Microsoft, are in search of knowledgeable analysts. “As an advocate of innovation, creating a major in Business Analytics was a personal endeavor,” said Dean Sidaoui. “Most Business Analytics degrees are offered only to graduate students. Menlo is trailblazing by providing analytics education at the undergraduate level. As companies continue to use big data to drive their business strategies, Menlo is meeting their workforce demand by exposing students to business analytics through this focused major.” The Business Analytics Major joins a collection of programs at Menlo that allow students to specialize in-demand fields of study. These students go on to pursue exciting careers using their Menlo education as their base. Bianca-Neme Barros ‘21 secured an impressive job offer at graduation after double majoring in Business Analytics and Finance. At Bain & Company, a Big 3 consulting firm, she will use big data to drive impactful solutions for her clients. Some students have decided to pursue a master degree in analytics or data science after graduating – see below for their stories! Expanding Menlo’s Business Foundation through the Arts and Sciences Menlo’s Political Science Minor also officially makes its debut in 2021-22. The program adds to the College’s arts and sciences foundation by joining the newly-designed Minor in Equity and Justice Studies. Students can earn the minor while exploring topics like California politics, civil liberties, and Latinx politics. Many top students have already created their own Political Science major on campus through the Individualized College Major program. These students have gone on to work for political grassroots nonprofits and government officials. Alum Victor Garcia ‘21 studied Politics and Business and pursued work at The Outreach Team as a Campaign Organizer. Now, students focusing on a different major will be able to expose themselves to courses in politics through the dedicated minor. “As a business college founded on the liberal arts, it is crucial that students at Menlo are exposed to a breadth of classes that empower students to lead better lives and advance society through their careers and elsewhere. Politics play an important role in every person’s life, and to educate students on political science is to support advocacy and social justice,” said Dean Melissa Michelson, the Dean of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Political Science. “Further, what many may not yet realize is how intertwined the spheres of business and politics are. The Political Science minor is a strong complement to Menlo’s specialized business degrees. Students will graduate understanding how to navigate the political climate of their jobs and companies, and their lives more generally.” Here’s what Menlo students and alumni have to say about these new programs: “Drawing conclusions from data can help companies make better business decisions. I believe that we are in a changing environment where the emphasis on the tools used within finance and accounting will transition to mainly programming languages and Business Intelligence applications. Therefore, with my Business Analytics major at Menlo, I am well-positioned to solve complex business problems.I have learned to analyze, cleanse, and extract data using programs like R, Python, Tableau, and SQL in my business analytics courses. Using programming languages to solve complex problems trains your logical thinking and combines several mathematical concepts such as statistics, probability, algebra, and calculus. The skills acquired in mastering analytics become transferable to any career within business, and I highly recommend the Business Analytics program to any student looking for a quantitative job,” Fredrik Ingul ‘22, Private Equity Intern Analyst at Caldicot Capital. “There has been a shift in the way we approach data, and the business analytics curriculum acknowledges this and prepares students for long-lasting and rewarding careers. On top of learning Python, SQL and Tableau, I was taught how to build artificial intelligence and apply a business lens to algorithms.Business analytics opened up a new professional world to me, and I think my education gives me a competitive advantage and more high-end job opportunities. I found the business analytics classes, and learning from industry-leading professionals, so insightful that I have decided to pursue a master’s degree in analytics.” Christian Ingul ‘22, Acquisition Analyst Intern at Storage Corner Group. “As a student of both Political Science and Business Administration, the opportunities and ideas I generated were limitless. Recently, as a campaign organizer for the Freedom to Vote Act, my main objective was to engage with small businesses to endorse the campaign.With what I learned from Menlo in both how businesses operate and the political process from state to national government, I strategized and implemented outreach plans that worked. I think students will benefit from a poli sci program as it keeps you civically engaged and helps you understand the internal factors of how businesses operate. You’ll also see the external factors that affect businesses too and learn to move accordingly. Politics truly affects your daily life,” Victor Garcia ‘21, Campaign Organizer at the Outreach Team. “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.I have learned that the study of Political Science exists not only to provide students with a form of living after graduation; more importantly, it is intended to educate students on how to advocate and promote the well-being of their community. Students simply need an interest in learning why specific power structures exist and how certain ideas have shaped democratic values. As students enter the workforce, they will be introduced to the various power dynamics their organization practices, and they can either promote or challenge these structures. With the theories and principles taught with this minor, students will acquire a toolkit on how to transform their knowledge into political power,” Diana Guardado ‘23, Social Media Marketing Intern at Hope and Heal Fund. Learn more about in-demand degree programs and student success at Menlo College: Menlo College Minor in Equity and Justice StudiesMenlo College Student Internship Program Participants Impress Business LeadersFour Student Innovators Named to Stanford’s UIF ProgramMenlo College Students Excel in Silicon Valley and the World 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.
