Menlo College Recognized Among TIME’s America’s Best Colleges 2026-2027 Posted on August 26, 2026August 26, 2026 by George Retelas ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College has been recognized in the inaugural TIME – America’s Best Colleges 2026-2027 ranking, developed by TIME and Statista to evaluate colleges based on measurable student outcomes and institutional performance. The new national ranking recognizes 500 colleges across the United States and offers a data-driven perspective on the value institutions deliver for their students. An aerial view of Menlo College’s Atherton campus, where students connect classroom learning with hands-on experiences as part of the College’s Future Ready Now approach to education. Institutions were evaluated across three core areas: Student Outcomes, Learning Environment, and Attractiveness. The ranking draws on objective federal data, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. For Menlo College, the recognition reflects the College’s focus on preparing students to be Future Ready Now by connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences. Through experiential learning opportunities such as internships, hands-on projects, career development, and professional connections, students gain the practical skills and experience to prepare for successful careers. Brawner Hall on the Menlo College campus in Atherton, California, framed by the mature oak trees that reflect Menlo’s mascot moniker, the Oaks. “Menlo’s inclusion in this list is especially meaningful because of its focus on the outcomes colleges create for their students,” said Angela Schmiede, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success at Menlo College. “Our Future Ready Now approach is about ensuring students don’t have to wait until they are close to graduation to begin preparing for what comes next. Through experiential learning, internships, close faculty mentorship, and opportunities to engage with industry professionals, our students build the knowledge, confidence, and experience to turn their education into meaningful careers and lives.” The recognition adds to Menlo College’s growing list of national distinctions highlighting its commitment to educational access, student success, experiential learning, and career preparation. The complete TIME – America’s Best Colleges 2026-2027 ranking is now available. Media inquiries: pr@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, please visit our website or contact pr@menlo.edu
Menlo College and Atherton Community Convene for “Future of AI” Seminar Posted on April 24, 2026April 27, 2026 by George Retelas ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College, in collaboration with the Atherton Senior Task Force and the Atherton Library, recently hosted a community-focused seminar exploring the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on careers and employment opportunities. Held at the Atherton Library on April 22, 2026, the event brought together students, local residents, and industry-minded attendees for an engaging discussion on how AI is shaping the future of work. Titled “How AI Will Change Careers and Future Employment Opportunities,” the seminar highlighted the growing importance of understanding AI across all industries. Featured panelists in the Atherton Artificial Intelligence Seminar. Entrance to the Atherton Library. Fabian Eggers introduces panelists, Eric Lane, Sonia Saheb, Sam Thapaliya, and Lars Fassler. The event was initiated through a collaboration between Menlo College’s Business & Environment Club and Atherton community leader Ken Frederick. Menlo College student leaders Lars Faessler, Carlotta Stern, and Marc Hegele, all members of Menlo College’s 2025 Global Scaling Challenge championship team, connected with Frederick to explore ways to engage the local community around emerging technologies. Sam Thapaliya and Lars Fassler. “Organizing this seminar gave us the opportunity to take ownership of an important topic and bring together voices from across campus and the community to learn from one another,” said Marc Hegele, an Entrepreneurship and Innovation major. Supported by Menlo College President Steven Weiner, the group launched the seminar as a pilot initiative designed to bring academic expertise and community insight into one shared space. “By convening our students and neighbors in conversations about AI, we’re creating the conditions for shared learning that benefits everyone. Understanding AI isn’t a luxury reserved for technologists, it’s a civic responsibility,” said President Weiner. “When academic institutions and communities collaborate like this, we don’t just prepare students for the future; we collectively author it.” The seminar featured presentations from Menlo College faculty and Atherton leaders, including Assistant Professor of Business Analytics & Information Systems Dr. Sonia Saheb, Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship Dr. Fabian Eggers, and Atherton City Council Member Eric Lane. Eric Lane. Speakers explored how generative AI is expected to reshape the labor market, emphasizing that, rather than eliminating jobs, AI is likely to create new, high-demand roles centered on human-AI collaboration. Attendees gained insight into how these shifts will impact future career paths and the skills needed to succeed. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants engaged directly with speakers to ask questions and share perspectives. Feedback gathered during the discussion will help inform a larger “AI & Careers” workshop planned for September. Marc Hegele. Conor Morger. “What spreadsheets once did for efficiency, generative AI is now doing for creativity in city governance,” said Professor Saheb. The seminar reflects Menlo College’s continued commitment to experiential learning, community engagement, and preparing students and the broader public to navigate and lead in an AI-driven future. Entrance to the Atherton Library. Press Contact: pr@menlo.edu About Menlo College: 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.” Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, as well as three graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Information Systems, a Master of Science in Financial Technology, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology. Menlo is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution.
