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About the event
Menlo College Speaker Series
About the Organizer
Menlo College is a private business school located in the heart of Silicon Valley, serving a diverse undergraduate population of approximately 800 students. Over half of the student body are student-athletes, and a significant portion are international and first-generation college students. The Public Speaking Center, led by Director Rich Russo, supports a range of communication-focused initiatives including required public speaking courses, TEDx Menlo College, and a variety of student-centered speaking programs designed to build confidence and real-world presentation skills.
Speaker Series Overview
As part of its mission to elevate communication and leadership on campus, Menlo College invites professional speakers to deliver engaging, educational talks that connect the art of public speaking to industry relevance, identity, and innovation. These campus-wide events aim to inspire and inform, and are often linked to academic coursework or heritage month programming.
Key Details
- 📅 Event Timing: 1 speaker per semester (Fall + Spring)
- 🎤 Format: On-campus guest talk (45–60 minutes) + optional student engagement
- 🧑🎓 Audience: Undergraduate students (20–100+ attendees depending on topic)
- 🎯 Focus Areas:
- The power of storytelling and public speaking
- Communication in business, entrepreneurship, or tech
- Navigating identity through voice and presence
- Emerging tools in communication (AI, media, performance)
- 💸 Speaker Budget: $5,000–$7,000 per speaker
- 📍 Location: Menlo College, Atherton, CA (Bay Area)
- 🗓 Upcoming Target Date: Fall 2025 – October (TBD)
Special Opportunities:
- Topics aligned with Heritage Months (e.g., Latinx Heritage Month, Black History Month, Pride, AAPI Month) may receive cross-campus support and promotion.
- Strong student-athlete population and business majors make applied, motivational content especially relevant.
Leading Conversations on Mental Health, Empowerment, and Growth
Tianna Faye Soto is a wellness advocate, mental health speaker, and powerful storyteller who helps students navigate the college journey with courage, clarity, and authenticity. Of Puerto Rican, Jamaican, and Chinese descent, Tianna brings a fresh, relatable voice to topics of identity, mental wellness, and resilience. With a background in psychology, education, and performing arts, she connects with students on a deeply personal level—especially first-gen, BIPOC, and high-performing achievers who often feel pressure to appear “perfect” on the outside.
In-Person Fee: To be negotiated.
Gravity Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/tianna-soto
Website: https://www.tiannafaye.com/
Tianna is based in San Francisco, CA
“Tianna’s dedication to empowering women through her words and actions was inspiring and illuminating. The passion with which she speaks about recognizing and harnessing our true power resonated deeply with me. Thank you for reminding us of the significant impact we can make, both individually and collectively. Her message is important, and it was delivered with grace and conviction.” — Dr. Mya Fields, Assistant Dean, Purdue Global
“Tianna delivered an exceptional keynote for our college’s undergraduate leadership conference. She delivered the speech with a relaxed energy, built a connection with the audience quickly, and was able to hold everyone’s attention throughout the hour – which can at times be a challenge with an audience of college students!” — Ryan Flynn, Illinois College
“Tianna was a fantastic speaker. The content she shared during Gamma Phi Beta’s Convention empowered our members to be their authentic selves. Members stayed after to speak with her and even gave her a standing ovation which is a testament to how much her words impacted our organization.” — Jenny Campfield, Director of Education, Gamma Phi Beta
Speaker Highlights
Why Tianna Faye Soto is a Great Fit for Menlo College
- Speaks to the Heart of the Student Experience: As a wellness expert and mental health educator with deep personal experience navigating college as a first-gen student, Tianna’s message directly resonates with Menlo’s diverse, high-achieving, and international student body.
- Bridges Science and Storytelling: With academic training in positive psychology, leadership development, and counseling from Columbia University, Tianna brings evidence-based strategies to life through storytelling—making topics like stress, identity, and confidence both accessible and empowering.
- Deep Alignment with the Public Speaking Center: Tianna’s emphasis on voice, presence, and storytelling as tools for personal transformation aligns powerfully with the mission of the Public Speaking Center. Her keynotes offer both inspiration and practical frameworks that support students in becoming more confident, effective communicators.
- Expert on Mental Health and Identity: Tianna is passionate about making conversations around wellness inclusive, especially for first-gen, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ students. Her work on self-awareness, cultural identity, and resilience is both timely and highly relevant across academic, social, and leadership spaces.
- Proven, Nationally-Recognized Speaker: With over 100 speaking engagements to audiences ranging from university students to corporate teams at Meta, Boeing, and StockX, Tianna is known for creating warm, transformative experiences that leave lasting impact.
Recommended Keynotes:
1) Stress, Success, & Duck Syndrome
All-nighters, jam-packed schedules, and overflowing cups of coffee. It’s no secret that being a college student these days can feel overwhelming. As the first in her family to attend college, Tianna knows what it’s like to juggle multiple majors, roles, and responsibilities while secretly struggling with anxiety, burnout, and perfectionism. One day, she discovered a term for what she was experiencing — “duck syndrome” — a common phenomenon where college students appear cool and calm on the surface while paddling hard underneath.
Tianna’s journey to self-care began during her senior year of college when she learned to overcome duck syndrome through holistic wellness. Since then, Tianna has been on a mission to connect with students and ensure that they’re equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources to navigate the ups and downs of college life. In this program, Tianna teaches students how to care for their mental health and wellness through a holistic lens, and offers practical wisdom for how to navigate the college journey with clarity and confidence.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- What duck syndrome is, and how it may be hindering their mental health & wellness
- How to recognize signs of duck syndrome when they arise
- Tangible wellness tools to combat stress, anxiety, and burnout
- How to reframe their idea of success and navigate college with clarity and confidence
2) Living Between Worlds
As a Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese woman born and raised in the south in a family of New Yorkers, Tianna understands what it’s like to exist between worlds. Apart from being a multiethnic woman, she has also existed between many worlds and professions, like music, mental health, media, and advocacy. Time and time again, Tianna has discovered that the more we embrace and celebrate our unique identity, the greater opportunity we have to serve others.
Regardless of your background or upbringing, exploring identity is a key part of the college student experience. It can often be the most challenging aspect of navigating college life, with the rise of important questions like “Who am I?”, “What do I stand for?”, “What kind of life do I want to lead?”. When you feel empowered to explore your personal story and can celebrate who you are, you give others a safe space to do the same.
In this program, Tianna invites students into her world as a person with multiple intersecting identities while encouraging students to reflect on their own personal narratives. Through storytelling, a touch of humor, and a warm, encouraging tone, Tianna inspires students to explore their personal identity, celebrate the journey, and feel confident in their unique strengths.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- Why it’s crucial to reflect on their identity, especially when it feels uncomfortable
- How addressing identity and personal narrative can transform the college experience
- How to thoughtfully explore conversations around identity with friends, family, and peers
- How to explore, write, and share their personal narratives in a way that feels authentic and empowering