Cuyamaca College Puente Project
PUENTE Project History:
The Puente Project was established in 1981 by Felix Galaviz and Patricia McGrath at Chabot College in Hayward, CA and is a national award-winning program aimed at increasing the transfer success of disproportionately impacted students. Puente follows a 3-part student success model and combines rigorous English instruction, intrusive academic counseling and mentorship. At Cuyamaca College Puente students also take a culturally relevant course taught from an intersectional conscious perspective. All students are encouraged to transfer to four-year institutions, earn degrees and return as leaders and mentors to future generations. Puente courses integrate LatinX and multi-cultural literature into lessons, projects and activities.
3-Part Student Success Model
COUNSELING - Students identify career and education plans alongside their counselor both in and out of the classroom. Students enroll in COUN 120 (College & Career Success) during their first semester as a Puente student.
ENGLISH - Puente students take two consecutive English courses:
ENGL C1000 (College Composition and Reading) - Fall semester
ENGL C1001 (Advanced Composition: Critical Reasoning and Writing) - Spring semester
Each course focuses on LatinX and multicultural authors and themes.
MENTORING - During the spring semester each Puente student is matched with a professional within the community who has already earned one or more college degrees. Mentors share their personal, academic and career experiences and provide students "insider" tips and information about their journey.
CULTURA (Spanish for the word "Culture") - During their first year at Cuyamaca College, Puentistas are encouraged to take culturally relevant courses taught from an intersectional conscious perspective. Relevant courses are encouraged for the purpose of cultivating awareness and empowerment. This requirement is unique to our campus and has added a wealth of knowledge to our students.