The Puente mission is to increase the number of educationally underrepresented students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees and return to their communities as leaders and mentors to future generations.

History

The Puente Project is an inter-segmental program that is co-sponsored by the University of California and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. This national award-winning program has improved the college-going rate of tens of thousands of California’s educationally underrepresented students for more than thirty years. The model’s interdisciplinary approach containing writing, advising, and mentoring components expanded to Texas in 2012. The Texas Puente Project’s goal is to prepare community college students for success at four-year universities and beyond.

In collaboration with the Center for Educational Partnerships at the University of California at Berkeley, LSC-University Park launched the Puente Project in 2016, tailoring this national award-winning program to fit the needs of the local community. The Puente Project is especially beneficial for students who are the first generation in their families to attend college, though Puente is open to all students on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited. Puente means “bridge” in Spanish. The program prepares students for college success through academic planning, innovative writing instruction, mentorship and opportunities for leadership. 

Puente students build bridges connecting them to:

As part of the learning community, students take ENGL 0302, ENGL 1301 or ENGL 1301 with lab, and EDUC 1300 in the fall semester in addition to other courses. In the spring semester, students take English 1302 with the same English instructor as well as other required courses in their degree plan. Outside the classroom, Puente students visit several four-year institutions and also participate in mentor activities and enjoy gatherings involving their families and classroom communities.

Have questions? Reach out to Elizabeth Peña or Kristina Tusini for more information.

Please use the following form if you are interested in joining Puente at LSC-University Park.