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2021-22 Year in Review: Menlo College Students Celebrated with Scholarships and Recognition

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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:

Menlo College Celebrates Class of 2022 at Commencement

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On May 21, 2022, Menlo College gathered for Commencement to celebrate the Class of 2022.

Commencement marked the final day of an academic year that saw a full reopening of campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a return to in-person classes and an in-person Career Connect Day, the inaugural Academic Global Immersion trip to the United Arab Emirates, and numerous academic competitions throughout each semester.

In athletics, Menlo competed in 271 games and tournaments, won two conference championships, and saw a women’s wrestler – Alleida Martinez ‘22 – win a national title.

“We’ve been through a lot together since we first heard about COVID-19 — way, way back at the end of 2019,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. “For much of 2020 and 2021, the pandemic was front and center. But this year, we managed to allow it to recede just enough so that this, your senior year, could be that special year that you deserved.”

More than 150 Oaks came together for an in-person ceremony on the Quad, accompanied by friends, family, and various members of the Menlo community.

Away from the Quad, thousands were able to celebrate the new graduates in a virtual setting, with more than 40,000 video views on social media and more than 1,000 views of the livestream of the ceremony.

“I wanted these years at Menlo College to be the best of your life so far, but my hope now is that even better times are ahead for each of you. You deserve it,” President Weiner told the Class of 2022. “Thank you for choosing Menlo College and for including our school in your life’s journey.  As you go forward, wear that ‘M’ proudly – always.”

Class of 2022 Perseveres through COVID-19 Pandemic

Back on August 20, 2018, the Class of 2022’s journey at Menlo officially began. Less than two years later, their experience was greatly impacted by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic during their sophomore year in March of 2020.

These Oaks got accustomed to the idea of change early on in their college experience, and didn’t let the effects of a global pandemic derail their time at Menlo.

That theme was evident throughout this year’s Commencement, specifically during Class of 2022 Valedictorian Rufus Pappy’s speech.

“Change is the one thing in the world which is constant,” Pappy said. “And in our college journey, we have seen so many big changes. COVID came, we persevered, and right now, we’re sitting here looking back on all of our accomplishments and celebrating them with all of our family members, friends, and everyone.”

Pappy urged his classmates to keep that experience with change in mind as they moved on to the next chapters in their lives as Menlo College alumni.

“As we enter the working world and hold leadership positions, and as we gain the power to drive change, we must take the steps to fill the needs that we see in this world,” Pappy said. “Little by little, with the power of love, compassion, and determination, we can change the world in a big way.”

Student Government Association President Rasmia Shuman ‘22 encouraged her classmates to “remain curious, ignite potential, serve the community, and continue to grow” as they prepared to enter a world post-Menlo, reminding those in attendance that every interaction with someone is an opportunity to make change.

“The past four years have been pivotal in every single way,” Shuman said. “But we are now ready to branch out, explore beyond the roots that are so strong, and always remember that, no matter where we go, we are and always will be Oaks.”

Commencement Speaker Mark Speckman Inspires Class of 2022

During a celebration of students who endured the COVID-19 pandemic during the majority of their college experience, Mark Speckman ‘74 motivated this year’s graduates with stories of his own resiliency as the Class of 2022’s Commencement Speaker.

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. 

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.  

“My generation’s done a lot of cool stuff. A lot of these people here, we’ve done a lot of great things, but there’s still problems out there,” Speckman told the Class of 2022. “Now you guys have to figure out, how are you going to make it better? How are you guys going to figure out how to save the children? How are you going to make it happen? But you know, you can do it. We’ve done it, you’ve done it, your kids are going to do it. We have this ability to figure it out.”

“It’s great to be an Oak,” Speckman continued. “Congratulations, and thank you for this opportunity.”

Read More About the 2021-2022 Academic 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.

Menlo College Says Farewell to Provost Grande Lum

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The entire Menlo College community sends its best wishes to Grande Lum, who has accepted a posting as a Senior Partner with the Rebuild Congress Initiative (RCI). His final day at Menlo College will be June 30, 2022.

“It is with reluctance that I accepted Provost Lum’s resignation. Grande has provided critical leadership to many areas of the College, while also serving as a key member of the senior leadership team. He has been essential to the progress our College has realized since he joined Menlo College in June 2018. I will miss the extent to which I have enjoyed his counsel and partnership these last four years, though I can understand, and I fundamentally support his desire to create bridges across political party lines at such a critical juncture in our nation’s history,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner.

Going forward, Lum’s considerable talents will be dedicated to furthering RCI’s mission. As he shared in a recent LinkedIn post, “Our society desperately needs those who can work through differences and find common ground. While we have made additional steps in this overarching journey, there is much more still to be done.” Lum’s initial areas of focus will include engaging leading Black pastors on strengthening democracy, and engaging key leaders to address election violence and social media’s effects on polarization.

Sharing Lum’s Reflections on the Menlo College Community

Lum credits his renewed resolve to move democracy forward to Menlo College students: “Just as I challenged Menlo students to make an impact on the world, Menlo students have reciprocated and galvanized me to re-enter this fray, to do what I can, in service of our democracy. … I will profoundly miss seeing student faces light up when they convey to me what they have figured out in the classroom, in their sport, or their post-graduation plans.”

Lum also commented, “When I started at Menlo, I was eager to help students explore, discover, and grow. That desire came to fruition, and my time here has been more gratifying than I could have ever hoped. What I was unprepared for, though, was how fundamentally I would be changed. I leave altered by the caring, devotion, and commitment I have seen from colleagues. I leave humbled by the sacrifice, curiosity, and gratitude I have seen from students.  They all have my deepest appreciation and thanks. … Menlo has been and will continue to be a special place, inhabited by special people.”

Read Lum’s entire message here.

Interim Operations and College Progress

Among his many contributions to Menlo College, Provost Lum was central to the appointments of Dean of the School of Business Mouwafac Sidaoui and Dean of Arts and Sciences Melissa Michelson. According to President Weiner, “Both deans are proving to be exceptionally adept in fulfilling even the most ambitious of our hopes for their respective roles. Their success gives me the confidence to predict that we will be able to look to them to help guide our academic programs as, together with faculty, we consider the structure of the leadership of academic affairs going forward. In the interim, both deans will report directly to me.”

“Further, the recent promotion of Laura Koo, PhD to Chief Advancement Officer,  and the appointments of Devin Carr as our new Dean of Student Affairs, and Alexis Lopez as our Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, will ensure that the Menlo College community continues to make important progress,” said Weiner. “Along with the continued leadership of Angela Schmiede, VP of Student Success and Strategic Planning, as well as Keith Spataro, VP of Enrollment Management and Athletics, Menlo College is positioned to go from strength to strength.”

“The first person from Menlo I spoke to was Steven Weiner, Menlo’s president. Steven’s burning passion for the school and his unwavering commitment to student excellence was striking. As I met students, faculty, and staff, what became crystal clear was how seemingly every member of the Menlo community was passionate about the College. … While I will no longer be a staff member, I am reassured by the amazing faculty and staff here who will continue to enact its core mission to serve and engage our students so well,” said Lum.

Read more:

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.

Focused on Student Success: Menlo College Earns Three New 2022 Top College Rankings

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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:

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 Employment

Once 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 Students

The 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 Stewardship

Adding 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 Themselves

The 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:

Read more about Menlo’s recognition for focusing on student success:

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.

Celebrating Volunteers at Menlo College

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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:

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

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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:

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

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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:

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.

Former Food Bank CEO Kathryn G. Jackson Joins Board of Trustees

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Menlo College is proud to announce that Kathryn G. “Kathy” Jackson, former CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, has joined its Board of Trustees.

“I am so excited to be a part of the Menlo College community and to get involved with the students of Menlo College. As a diverse, non-profit, business-focused college with a proven formula for ROI, I think Menlo is uniquely positioned to help students achieve their aims and go on to great success,” said Jackson. “My interest in joining the Menlo community has come from my career journey of leading organizations on a mission of delivering social good, as well as my deep experience in the business world.”

“Menlo’s diverse, driven students go on to be the business leaders of Silicon Valley and beyond, and Kathy’s involvement will ensure that the college is well-positioned to reach and support even more students desiring a life-trajectory changing college education,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. “Her expertise is sure to yield tangible, impactful results for our students and their families, the Bay Area, and the globe.” 

Jumping In with Students

Though her tenure on the Board begins in October 2022, Jackson is already set to participate in one of Menlo’s signature events, Career Connect Day, taking place on April 5, 2022. Organized by the student-led WILD (Women in Leadership Development) club with the Alumni Office, she will join alumnae Brenda Flores-Reyes ‘20, Victoria Schultz ’14, and fellow Trustee Fran Schulz ‘85 on a panel discussion about women’s resilience. As the College celebrates 50 years since female students were admitted to the college, the panel will inspire current students to overcome challenges and dream big.

About Kathy Jackson

Jackson, an Atherton-resident, has extensive corporate and nonprofit career experience. She currently serves as Board Chair of Cilker Orchards Management Corporation. Most recently she served as a Director for CAI International, Inc. (NYSE: CAI) and was a co-founder of Magnify Community, a philanthropy innovation lab focused on prioritizing increased giving to Silicon Valley nonprofits. 

Jackson previously served as CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, a $130 million organization that, during her tenure, provided more than one million meals per week to Silicon Valley residents. She also served on the Board of Feeding America, the nation’s second largest charity. Prior to joining Second Harvest, Jackson served as Board President of the Foundation for the Future at public Menlo-Atherton High School; she is delighted to have found M-A alums enrolled at Menlo College.

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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.