Menlo College seeks a visionary leader to serve as its President as the College approaches the centennial year of its founding. The preferred candidate will be an inclusive, collaborative leader who can advance a clear, compelling direction that connects Menlo’s Silicon Valley setting to an exceptional student experience. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo is a tight-knit community of approximately 800 students and a faculty of scholar-entrepreneurs whose real-world expertise informs innovative curricula and prepares graduates for meaningful lives and careers.
Building on a strategic plan already in place, the next President will partner with the Board, campus community, and external stakeholders to shape and sustain Menlo’s next phase of growth. A key priority will be deepening mutually beneficial relationships with Silicon Valley businesses by expanding paid internships and project-based partnerships, creating industry-aligned capstones and practicum courses, strengthening employer advisory councils and alumni engagement, and increasing executive-in-residence and guest practitioner opportunities. The President will also advance mentorship and career pipelines that lead to strong post-graduate outcomes and cultivate corporate philanthropy, sponsorships, and scholarships that support access and innovation. At the same time, the President will steward the College’s important relationships with Menlo School, the Town of Atherton, and other local, regional, national, and international constituencies.
The College offers nine undergraduate majors and three specialized master’s-level graduate programs. The College holds the federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and is accredited by AACSB, recognition earned by only five percent of business schools worldwide.
Founded in 1927, Menlo College is a private, residential institution located on a lush 40-acre campus in Atherton, California — the heart of Silicon Valley. For nearly 100 years, Menlo has leveraged its agile stature and premier location to cultivate a “scholar-entrepreneur” faculty and a diverse student body from 40 countries. Over half of Menlo’s students participate in varsity or club athletic programs.
Menlo enjoys the benefits of its location, financial independence, and small, agile stature. The new President should be a visionary who can translate long-term vision into achievable strategies and disciplined near-term execution. The President should understand how to best position Menlo for the future, given the many changes higher education faces today and in the coming years.
Menlo’s next President will continue to strengthen and develop the academic enterprise while managing a budget of approximately $34M and growing the endowment, which is approximately $20M. The President will bring a steady hand to navigate accreditation requirements and the rapidly evolving higher education environment, maintain AACSB accreditation, and lead the College’s continued work with WSCUC. The next President should be committed to faculty and staff development, to championing the importance of interdisciplinary education, and to continually challenging Menlo’s faculty and students to remain on the cutting edge of baccalaureate and graduate education.
Menlo seeks a President who works effectively with the Board of Trustees, connects with alumni and donors, shares the College’s enthusiasm for athletics, is approachable, and takes genuine pleasure in participating in student life on campus. The President should have an open leadership style and be able to form strong relationships with all members of the Menlo community.
A terminal degree is preferred; candidates with an equivalent combination of academic and executive leadership experience will also be considered. Experience in a private college environment is preferred.
The preferred start date for the next President is July 1, 2027. Menlo College expects to pay in the range of $425,000-$475,000 base salary plus incentive bonus. The President enjoys the privilege of residing in a beautifully remodeled home in Atherton on the border of the College, featuring a pool and a well-appointed catering kitchen designed for entertaining, set within one of the region’s most desirable residential neighborhoods. The President is expected to reside in the President’s House adjacent to campus, reflecting the role’s engagement with campus life and community events. Menlo College offers a rich, nurturing environment, competitive salary and benefits, and a chance to make a difference in this important position. To find out more about Menlo College, visit www.menlo.edu.
WittKieffer is assisting Menlo College in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by December 1, 2026. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile available at WittKieffer.com. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Melody Rose, Ph.D., Alejandra Gillette-Teran, and Natalie Song at menlopresident@wittkieffer.com.
Menlo College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity. All prospective Menlo College employees are required to satisfy a background check, as well as clearance annually for the operation of a motor vehicle on behalf of Menlo College.
