Menlo College Named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2026 Transfer Honor Roll Posted on July 24, 2026July 24, 2026 by George Retelas ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College has been named to the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Transfer Honor Roll, earning national recognition for its commitment to helping community college transfer students successfully complete their bachelor’s degrees. This year, only 275 colleges and universities nationwide received the prestigious distinction. Students walk across the Menlo College campus as the College celebrates being named to the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll, recognizing institutions that provide exceptional support and success pathways for community college transfer students. The Transfer Honor Roll recognizes four-year institutions that demonstrate excellence in creating transfer pathways and supporting students from admission through graduation. Institutions are evaluated using data from the National Student Clearinghouse and PTK Connect across five key areas: transfer student success outcomes, credit mobility, financial support, recruitment and admissions practices, and campus engagement and support. “Transfer students don’t just want a degree; they want to know that where they land is going to set them up for real success,” said Joslyn Barragán, International & Transfer Admissions Counselor at Menlo College. “That’s something I keep top of mind in every conversation I have with a prospective student. I’m here to be honest with them about what their experience would actually look like here, because at the end of the day, their future matters more than anything else. Transfer students have already put in hard work, and they deserve a place that’s going to be a true launching pad for their careers. At Menlo, I get to be part of that journey: helping them connect the dots between where they’ve been and where they want to go. That’s what makes this work so meaningful to me.” Joslyn Barragán, Menlo College’s International & Transfer Admissions Counselor, helps prospective transfer students navigate the admissions process and connect with the personalized support, scholarships, and academic opportunities available at Menlo College. Menlo College welcomes transfer students from two-year and four-year institutions through a rolling admissions process. Students benefit from personalized admissions counseling, transfer credit evaluations, academic advising, and generous merit-based scholarships designed to help make earning a bachelor’s degree both accessible and affordable. The College also works closely with students to maximize transferable credits and create a clear pathway toward graduation. Prospective transfer students can learn more about admissions requirements, transfer credits, scholarships, and the application process by visiting the College’s Transfer Admissions page. Transfer students become part of Menlo’s close-knit campus community, where small class sizes, experiential learning opportunities, and strong connections with Silicon Valley employers prepare graduates for successful careers in business, technology, psychology, and related fields. According to Phi Theta Kappa, the Transfer Honor Roll has become one of the nation’s most comprehensive benchmarks for transfer excellence. This year, 1,117 colleges and universities completed PTK’s institutional profile, with the top-performing 275 institutions earning Honor Roll recognition. Transfer and undergraduate students connect on the Menlo College campus, where personalized support, small class sizes, and experiential learning help students successfully complete their bachelor’s degrees and prepare for careers in Silicon Valley. “This recognition is about much more than transfer agreements,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Successful transfer happens when institutions intentionally design policies, practices, and campus cultures that help students thrive after they arrive. These colleges have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority.” Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the official honor society for two-year colleges, recognizing academic achievement and helping students develop as scholars and leaders. The organization serves more than 4.5 million members through nearly 1,200 chapters in 11 countries. The 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll recognizes Menlo College as one of just 275 colleges and universities nationwide for excellence in supporting community college transfer students and creating pathways to bachelor’s degree completion. 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
2022-23 Year in Review: Menlo College Students Win at Academic Competitions; Earn Awards Posted on June 8, 2023January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Throughout the past academic year, with the unwavering support of faculty, staff, and alumni, the students of Menlo College showcased their talents in various renowned competitions. They left an indelible mark on experts and professionals across diverse academic and business disciplines. Menlo College students also attained prestigious scholarships as a result of their exceptional performances this year. #1 – Priscilla Perey Ratonel ‘25 wins Mathematics Prize at the Alpha Chi conference Under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Mathematics Jakob Kotas, Priscilla Perey Ratonel ‘25 was awarded the prestigious Joseph E. and Bessie Mae Pryor Prize in Mathematics at the Alpha Chi conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in April. Priscilla’s award-winning paper and presentation, titled “COVID Campus Simulation: Predicting and Modeling SIR Populations as Preventative Policies are Implemented Over Time,” stood out among hundreds of academic works presented by student members and alumni to multidisciplinary audiences of peers and faculty advisors. The Joseph E. and Bessie Mae Pryor Prize in Mathematics is one of only 30 discipline-specific prizes awarded during the annual Alpha Chi convention, celebrating excellence in scholarly and creative work. “It was a fulfilling experience to meet like-minded people and feel comfortably prepared that I was on par with some of the greatest students in the nation. … This recognition helped me realize that even though I am from a small school, the spirit, support, and opportunities for growth are no smaller than any other college.” – Priscilla Perey Ratonel ‘25 Apply to Menlo! #1 – Menlo College Student Team Wins First Place in the Global Scaling Challenge With the support of Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship Fabian Eggers, Paul Breuer ‘25, Mary Antonette Reyes ‘25, Anthea Weiland ‘25, and Bryan Zaremba ’23 won the 2023 Global Scaling Challenge and each won a scholarship. This prestigious competition was hosted by The University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management. The Menlo team competed against 35 teams comprising undergraduate and graduate students from 25 universities worldwide. Following last year’s team’s second-place finish, this year’s group’s success can be attributed to their exceptional consultancy services provided to three space-tech startups. Using their knowledge of AI and the space industry, the team conducted thorough research to evaluate the growth potential of each firm. They presented comprehensive scaling objectives encompassing marketing, product development, financing, and expansion strategies. “I am so grateful for this amazing learning experience, and would like to extend my thanks to our mentor, Fabian Eggers, who supported and trusted us throughout the competition. It has undoubtedly been the highlight of my year.” – Mary Antonette Reyes ’25 Learn more about Menlo’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major! Jaccob Vargas ‘24 Named FEISV Scholarship Winner Veteran student and Accounting major Jaccob Vargas ‘24 has been named this year’s recipient of the Financial Executives International Silicon Valley (FEISV) scholarship. Supported by former trustee, Harry Kellogg ’63, the FEISV Scholarship is awarded to an accounting or finance student from the College each year. Juliette Charpentier ’24, Javier Manson ’24, Liam O’Hara ’24, Andrew Salomon ’24, and Vargas were this year’s five nominated Menlo College students, and all are invited to become members of the FEI Rising Stars program with other students from across the Bay Area. “[The quality of the student presentations] demonstrates the success of Menlo’s faculty and, ultimately, its students in cultivating the critical presentation and communication skills required to advance in business,” Bob Farkas, the FEISV Academic Relations Committee lead, wrote in his feedback to the College. Learn more about Menlo’s Accounting program! Four Oaks Participate in the NorCal Regional CFA Research Challenge Competition Menlo College’s team participated in the NorCal Regional CFA Research Challenge Competition in February. Under the instruction of Adjunct Professor Edmund Neo, Menlo College’s team composed of Samuele Mian ‘22, Zandanbal Arslankhuyag ‘22, Bryan Zaremba ‘23, and Andrez Dayap ‘23 submitted a valuation report that focused on Santa Clara-based technology firm AMD. The report was evaluated by a panel of equity analysts and portfolio managers from the investment sector. Despite not making it to the final round, the Menlo team’s research was highly appreciated by the judges and their coach. “Their recommendation to purchase AMD stock at $83.04 turned out to be a great investment decision as the stock price reached a high of $101.82 on March 23, 2023, resulting in a 23% gain. The competition demonstrates how equity research standards are elevated through such events, and Menlo team’s performance illustrates the importance of thorough research and critical thinking in investing.” – Professor Edmund Neo Learn more about Menlo’s Finance major! Four Oaks Compete in the NAIOP Silicon Valley Real Estate University Challenge Tristan Guerrero ‘22, Tracey Hatch ‘24, Carlos Becerril ‘26, and Enzo Cior ‘26 represented Menlo College and the Real Estate Club at the NAIOP Silicon Valley Real Estate University Challenge. With the leadership of Professor in Residence in Real Estate Sarahann Shapiro, they competed against Santa Clara University and San Jose State University. The team was tasked with “evaluating the site of a previously completed development project to devise a current ground-up development plan based on the current market environment. Learn more about Menlo’s Real Estate major! “The contributions and commitment of professors to our students make Menlo the exceptional place that it is. Our professors cultivate curiosity and passion in their students, who come from all backgrounds to study business and psychology. The fruits of their collaborations are demonstrated in this year’s outstanding achievements – across all our different majors. Congratulations to our students and their professors on all they have achieved this year,” said VP for Academic Affairs, Chief Academic Officer, and Dean School of Business Dr. Mouwafac Sidaoui. 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. Read More: 2021-22 Year in Review: Menlo College Students Celebrated with Scholarships and Recognition 2021-22 Year in Review: Menlo College Students Place at Case Competitions and Present Research Student Success at Menlo College All of Menlo College’s Rankings and Reviews
