The program is comprised of three components: writing instruction, counseling and mentoring.
Counseling
- Puente students take Counseling 110, a 3 unit transferable College Success class in the fall and a Counseling 101, Transfer Success course in the spring semester.
- 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: English 100 and English 49 during fall semester and English 202 during the 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 authors and issues.
Mentoring
- Each Puente student is matched with a mentor who is a businessperson or professional in the local community.
- Students and their mentors commit to a minimum of 9 hours of contact during fall semester and another 9 hours during the spring semester.
- 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.
Interested in serving as a Puente Mentor?
In Mentorship:
- Mentors provide knowledge, structure, validation, support, guidance and connection
- Mentors help students build agency
- Validation and recognition is fostered
- Mentees learn the importance of networking
- Both mentor and mentees are challenged and stretched
If you are interested in serving as a Puente Mentor, please complete the interest form, and we will provide you with additional steps to pair you up with a mentee.