Two female Puente graduates holding certificates at a commencement ceremony for PUENTE.

Puente is a transfer-prep learning community where a cohort of 30 students take courses together and participate in required events in one academic year. 

Puente Project

Puente means "bridge" in Spanish. The Puente Project is a national award-winning program that for 40 years has improved the college-going rate of tens of thousands of California's educationally underrepresented students.

The program was founded in 1981 at Chabot College in Hayward, California, and has since expanded to over 60 programs throughout the state of California.

Puente students work closely with their Puente counselor until they transfer to a four-year college or university.

Puente Students

Puente is open to students of all backgrounds.

  • Learn more about Latino/a culture and issues.
  • Receive a  one-on-one mentor.
  • Earn Priority Registration.

Transfer Support

  • Receive help with transferring to a four-year college.
  • Complete a series of workshops on University Transfer Planning
  • One-on-one counseling support.
  • University application fee assistance.
  • Connect to other Puente students who have already transferred.

Steps to Join

We are now recruiting for our 14th cycle for the 2025-2026 academic year! Students must join by May 31, 2025, and it is on a first come, first serve basis. NO application required!

  1.  Review the required courses below you must take with Puente. 
  2. Complete the Mission College Support Form. Click on "Success Communities". Then click on "Very Interested" for Puente! We will contact you within 2-3 business days.
  3. Join us for one of our MC Puente Information Sessions over Zoom. Sign up now!
  4. If you are interested in joining the Puente Project for the academic year, please contact Veronica Hand at (408) 855-5362 or [email protected] to set up a meeting.

English C1000E Academic Reading and Writing (5 units) formerly English 1AX

  • Mondays & Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. OR
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Counseling 05 (3 units)

  • Mondays & Wednesdays 12:40 p.m. - 2:05 p.m. OR
  • Tuesdsays & Thursdays 12:40 p.m. - 2:05 p.m.
Puente's Mission

Puente’s 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. Puente is open to all students.

Program Requirements
  1. Must be eligible to enroll in English C1000E (formerly 1AX) & Counseling 005 in the Fall semester. Must enroll in English 1B for the following Spring semester.
  2. Must be planning to transfer to a 4 year university.
  3. Must commit to participating in all program activities/required events for the 1 year learning community.
Service Area Outcomes

SAO 1: Phase 2 students will complete two college level English courses and a transfer timeline assignment.

SAO 2: Phase 3 students who are eligible to transfer will earn an associate degree and/or certificate and/or be admitted to a university as a transfer student.