Menlo News

Menlo College Awarded Federal Grant to Expand Career Readiness

First-year award of $1,196,629 supports a five-year initiative expected to total approximately $2,970,000

ATHERTON, Calif. – Menlo College has received a federal grant award of $1,196,629 to fund the first year of its Menlo College Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness Initiative. The five-year initiative is expected to total approximately $2,970,000, with additional funding anticipated through annual awards in Years 2 through 5.

The initiative will strengthen the connection between academic learning and career preparation by expanding experiential learning opportunities, supporting faculty and staff development, enhancing career services, and providing students with additional academic resources.

The project is supported through the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program, a federal program designed to help eligible institutions of higher education strengthen academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability while expanding their capacity to serve low-income students. The application process for this award was managed by the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education.

“At Menlo College, we believe the value of an education is measured not only by what students learn, but by what they can do with that knowledge,” said President Steven Weiner. “Through this initiative, we are strengthening the connections between classroom learning and professional experience, giving students more opportunities to apply their skills, work on real-world challenges, and prepare for meaningful careers. We want every Menlo graduate to leave ready to contribute, make a difference, and create value in their chosen field.”

Experiential learning has long been an important part of the Menlo College student experience. All undergraduate business students complete an internship before graduation, gaining professional experience and applying their academic knowledge in workplace settings. The Strengthening Institutions Program will allow the College to build on this foundation, expanding resources that help students connect their education with their career goals.

Key components of the initiative include:

• Experiential learning: Menlo College will activate established applied learning resources, implement the Riipen experiential learning platform, and expand access to AmplifyAI. A multi-year professional development program will help faculty and staff incorporate more applied learning into courses and student experiences.
• Career development: An Associate Director of Future Ready Pathways will establish a Career Peer Advisor program to help students explore career options, develop professional skills, and navigate career preparation opportunities.
• Academic and research resources: A Career Development Librarian will help connect academic research with career readiness. Students will also benefit from expanded access to books, specialized research databases, professional publications, and loanable technology devices.
• Internship and credentialing support: Menlo College will begin fundraising for an endowed Student Internship, Licensure, and Credentialing Fund during the first year, with a goal of establishing the fund by Year 3. The fund is intended to provide longer-term support for students pursuing internships, professional licenses, and credentials.

Through this investment, Menlo College will build on its commitment to preparing students to be Future Ready Now, with the knowledge, practical experience, and professional skills to pursue meaningful careers and adapt to a changing workforce.

For more information about Menlo College and its academic programs, visit www.menlo.edu.

About Menlo College

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College is a small, residential liberal arts and business college dedicated to preparing students to be Future Ready Now. Through a highly personalized educational experience that combines rigorous academics, applied learning, mentorship, and direct access to one of the world’s most innovative economies, Menlo College helps students convert education into measurable career and life outcomes. For more information, visit www.menlo.edu or contact pr@menlo.edu.