Menlo College to Launch Latino Leadership Program with Special Campus Event on February 20 Posted on February 16, 2026February 27, 2026 by George Retelas ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College will officially launch its new Latino Leadership Program with a campus-wide celebration on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 3:00 PM on the College’s Atherton campus. While focused on inspiring leadership within and for Latino communities, the program is designed to benefit students of all races and ethnicities as they pursue their academic and career goals. The event will welcome U.S. Congressman Sam Liccardo and California Assemblymember Marc Berman as in-person guest speakers, who will share perspectives on public service, representation, and leadership in diverse communities. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla will offer recorded remarks in recognition of the program’s launch as well. Refreshments will be served, and members of the campus community are encouraged to attend. Congressman Sam Liccardo Assemblymember Marc Berman The Latino Leadership Program reflects Menlo College’s identity as a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, a distinction first earned in 2019. Latino students now represent 41 percent of Menlo’s domestic student population, underscoring the importance of programs that cultivate cultural competence, professional preparation, and leadership development. Students from the Latino Leadership Program Developed under the leadership of Dr. Melissa Michelson, Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Political Science, the program builds on Menlo’s longstanding commitment to Latino-focused coursework and mentorship. For more than a decade, courses such as Latino Politics and Latino Literature have resonated with students of all backgrounds who recognize the growing influence of Latino communities in the United States. Melissa R. Michelson, PhD “Our designation as an HSI reflects the changing demographics of our student population. I am proud of the work Menlo faculty have done to better serve our Latino students and their communities through ongoing changes to the curriculum,” said Dean Michelson. “This program, and the proposed minor, will help all of our students develop the cultural competency and leadership skills to better serve their communities.” Menlo College students The February 20 launch marks the beginning of the program, with its first graduates expected to cross the stage in spring 2026. Menlo faculty are currently reviewing an associated minor, which includes courses in Leadership Theories and Practice; Leadership, Ethics, and Social Change; and Community Leadership. The capstone course in the proposed minor will include an off-campus experiential learning placement paired with weekly cohort discussions designed to strengthen civic engagement and practical leadership skills. Professor Peña at Menlo College, Atherton. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, prospective students, and community members are invited to attend and learn more about how the Latino Leadership Program is helping shape Menlo’s next generation of changemakers. For more information, visit the Menlo College website: https://www.menlo.edu/events/latino-leadership-program-launch/ Learn more about the program here: https://www.menlo.edu/degree/latino-leadership-program/ Media 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.
