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.
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.
Former Food Bank CEO Kathryn G. Jackson Joins Board of Trustees Posted on March 22, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege 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. Read more: Applying to Menlo CollegeMenlo College Student Internship Program Participants Impress Business LeadersMenlo College’s Annual Career Connect Day Set for In-Person Return on April 5, 2022 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.
