Menlo College

Meet Lars Faessler ’26. Moving from Switzerland to Atherton to join the Menlo soccer team was just the beginning of what would become a deeply transformative chapter.

Lars completely leaned into the Menlo experience, showing that a small campus is the perfect launching pad for big dreams. During his time as an Oak, he balanced athletics with serving in student government, delivering a TEDx talk, and taking home a #1 overall global and regional finish at the 2026 Global Scaling Challenge. 🏆⚽📊

Lars's Menlo experience has been because "The small campus meant you couldn't hide, and honestly, that turned out to be exactly what I needed. What I'll carry with me isn't any single achievement but the quiet confidence this place helped me build, in the hard moments as much as the good ones. Menlo became my home away from home, and I'm grateful for every part of it."

Congratulations, Lars. We can't wait to see the incredible things you do next on the global stage. 💙

Menlo's Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence & Analytics has been running strong right here in Atherton since Fall 2025. Our students are combining cutting-edge tech fluency with the ethical reasoning needed to lead the Silicon Valley workforce. From Nargess Hassani '26 building custom machine learning apps to help job seekers, to tennis player Lachlan Ming '27 using AI tools to build his own platform, our Oaks are proving that the best way to learn technology is by building something real. Next stop for Lachlan and his team is the AI Venture Velocity Challenge!

Read more here: https://www.menlo.edu/future-ready-now-ai-analytics-program/

Meet Samantha Carter ’26. Samantha's time in Atherton is a beautiful example of how a supportive, personalized academic environment can completely transform a student's trajectory.

By taking full advantage of Menlo’s individualized support and tight-knit community, Samantha didn't just focus on her studies; she focused on growth, leadership, and finding the confidence to create real impact.

Samantha's Menlo experience has been because "Attending Menlo College has been one of the most transformative experiences of my academic journey. Not only did it provide countless opportunities for individualized support and educational growth, but it also allowed me to discover my voice and find the courage to make a difference. The Menlo
College community challenged, supported, and inspired me throughout my time there, and I would not be who I am today without it."

Congratulations, Samantha. We are so grateful for the mark you've left on our campus community! 💙

Meet Marketing graduate Dheryl Guerrero-Sy '26. Traveling from his hometown of Hilo, Hawai‘i to Atherton, Dheryl stepped up to serve our campus as Student Body President, putting his marketing and leadership skills to work right here in our community.

Throughout his time as an Oak, Dheryl has been an ambassador for campus engagement, proving that higher education is just as much about building meaningful connections and lifelong networks as it is about academics.

Dheryl's Menlo experience has been because "My time at Menlo has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve grown so much as a leader, but more importantly, I’ve built friendships that feel like family. From late-night study sessions to campus events and even those midnight In-N-Out runs, these are the memories I’ll carry with me long after graduation."

Congratulations, Dheryl! Thank you for leaving such a positive, lasting mark on Menlo College. 💙

Menlo on Film 📸

Meet Isabella "Bella" Aquino ’26, a Marketing major originally from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Moving away from the islands to come to Menlo meant stepping into the unknown, but Bella quickly immersed herself in campus life and built an unforgettable community.

Throughout her time at Menlo, Bella has been a driving force for student connection. She grew as a leader by serving as Secretary and Vice President of the Pacific Islander Club, supported campus-wide initiatives in the Office of Student Affairs, and guided fellow Oaks as a Community Advisor. These experiences allowed her to hone her creative talents in storytelling, photography, and videography, skills she is already taking into the professional world as a newly hired Marketing Coordinator at Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc.! 💼✨

Bella's Menlo experience has been because it gave her the platform to discover her passion and lead with confidence: "I’m grateful for the experiences and memories that have made Menlo my home away from home. I'm excited to carry forward everything I’ve learned during my time at Menlo."

Congratulations, Bella! We can't wait to see your career thrive and watch everything you accomplish next. 💙