What is the Puente Program?
Puente is a nationally recognized academic program designed to help students adjust to college life and prepare for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The program is unique in that it explores the Latino/a experience. However, Puente is open to, and welcomes, all students. The program has four major components: Writing instruction, Personal Growth instruction, counseling, and mentoring. Puente’s goal is to provide students with a strong academic foundation and the support needed in order to be successful at Palomar College and beyond.
Puente’s Mission
Our mission is to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees, and return to the community as mentors and leaders to future generations. Puente is open to all students. Started in 1981 at Chabot College, the program has since expanded to 40 high schools, 11 middle schools and 81 community colleges statewide
History
Puente was founded in 1981 by the Co-Directors, Felix Galaviz and Patricia McGrath, at Chabot College. The original program mission was to increase the number of Mexican American/Latino students transferring to four year colleges and universities. Since then, Puente has expanded to 65 community colleges throughout the state. The Puente project is the proud recipient of the Ford Foundation Innovations in American Government Award. The Puente program came into existence at Palomar College in 2017. The Puente Program is a national award winning program that has helped thousands of students transfer to a university and earn 4 year degrees.
Program Components
Counseling
- Puente students take Counseling 110, a 3 unit UC transferable College Success class in the fall and attend required Transfer workshops in the spring
- Puente students work with the Puente counselor until they graduate from Palomar College.
- In addition to developing a comprehensive educational plan, students will also explore and identify a career pathway, network with professionals in the community and develop short term and long-term life goals.
- Students visit UC and CSU campuses and attend an annual Puente Motivational Conference.
English Instruction
- Puente students take two consecutive writing classes with the same Puente English Instructor: ENGL C1000E Fall semester and ENGL C1001 spring semester
- These classes provide a supportive environment for Puente students to build confidence in their writing skills. The content of both courses focuses on Latino/a/x authors and issues.
Mentoring
- Each Puente student is matched with a mentor who is a businessperson or professional in the local community.
- Mentors share their knowledge and experience with students.
- Our Puente mentors provides many resources for the Puente students, their families, their colleges, and the community.
Puente Program — Now Recruiting for 2026–2027
Why Join Puente?
Students in Puente benefit from:
- Supportive cohort-style classes
- A designated counselor and professor
- Preparation for university transfer
- Community mentorship
- Special Puente events and activities
Eligibility
- Interested in transfer
- Eligibility to take ENGL C1000E and COUN 110
- Commit to attending Puente Events
If you are interested in joining the Puente Cohort for 2026-2027, please complete Puente Program Interest Form 2026-2027
If you are interesting in joining the current Puente cohort for Spring 2026, please complete Spring 2026 student interest form.
More Information
Please contact the Palomar College Puente Program Co-Coordinators by email for more information about the program:
- Daniela McIntosh dmcintosh@palomar.edu
- Michael Lundell mlundell@palomar.edu
Puente Club
Puente students have the option to participate and become members of the Puente Club. The Puente Club’s events are open to all students, including non Puente cohort students. The club provides a space for community, social events, and peer to peer support. Please email puente@palomar.edu for more information regarding the Puente Club meetings.
Make a Tax-deductible Charitable Donation
- Puente is able to facilitate university campus visits, provide student scholarships, and support an extensive mentor program through donations from community members.
- You can make a tax-deductable charitable donation to the Puente program by going to the Palomar College Foundation and selecting “Puente Program” in the “Additional Information Fund” drop-down menu.
