Puente Program

Attend a Puente Information Session

Planning to join Puente this fall or want to learn more about the program? Contact coordinator and counselor Professor Cynthia Vargas by email to register to attend a free, in-person information session. All sessions will be held in Welcome Center, Room 103.

Tuesday, August 5, 11 am - Noon or 3 - 4 pm
Thursday, August 7, 3 - 4 pm
Monday, August 11, 11 am - Noon
Tuesday, August 12, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm or 3 - 4 pm
Wednesday, August 13, 11 am - Noon or 3 - 4 pm

The 91福利社 Puente Program is an academic, counseling, and community leadership program and its mission is to increase the number of educationally underrepresented students who transfer and enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees, and return to the community as leaders and mentors of future generations.

Components of Puente Join Puente Contact Us

Why choose Puente?

For all students

The program is open to all students and interdisciplinary in approach offering writing, counseling, and mentoring components while having an inclusive environment that promotes progress toward achieving our college goals while helping students succeed.

Empowerment and support

The Puente Program is committed to support and empower students by utilizing multicultural and Latine/x literature, leadership development, service-learning opportunities, and culturally responsive materials.

The program's framework is built on a foundation of social justice and equity, which embraces the intersections of all identities with special attention to five key areas: racial and immigrant justice, linguistic justice, LGBTQ+ justice, disability justice, and environmental justice.

Special experiences

During the first year (Phase I Fall and Phase II Spring), students participate in Guidance and transfer-level English courses, workshops, academic and multicultural activities, transfer and mentor platicas/workshops. The students also work closely with the Puente Counselor for career planning and exploration, to learn about major and general education requirements for their field of interest, and to complete an academic plan that supports their transfer pathway to four-year institutions and graduation. After year one, Phase III Puente students will continue to receive support from the Puente Program during their transfer process and academic journey.

The mission of the Puente Program at 91福利社 is to increase the number of educationally underrepresented students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees, and return to the community as leaders and mentors of future generations.

Priority registration
Academic counseling
Year-long learning community with culturally-relevant content and assignments
Gain life skills and learn strategies for college success
Annual UC transfer and motivational conference
University visits, guest speakers and culturally enriching activities
Professional mentoring and leadership opportunities (Puente Club, student activities, peer mentor)
Lending library, laptop and technology loans, book loans and vouchers

Puente students tour university campuses

Puente students commit to a rigorous two-semester English and personal development sequence. They work closely with an English and guidance counselor to prepare an academic plan to transfer to four-year institutions. Students also meet regularly with a professional mentor from the community.

English classes that celebrate culture

Puente students take two consecutive writing classes, English C1000 and 1B. These classes use culturally relevant pedagogy to provide a supportive and stimulating environment for Puente students to build confidence in their writing skills through an exploration of Latinx and other multicultural literature and experiences.

Counseling to keep you on track

Puente students work closely with their Puente counselor on a one-on-one basis for personal counseling, to complete or update a comprehensive student educational plan (CSEP), to go over topics related to major requirements, life planning, career exploration, and transfer requirements, among other topics.

Mentoring to guide you

Puente students have the opportunity to work with mentors throughout the academic year. Our community of mentors share personal, academic and career experiences, and provide a window into real life work environments. Our network of professionals provides many resources for the Puente students, their families, colleges, and the community. Mentoring is done via a variety of methods (both in-person and virtual): one-on-one mentoring, mentor platicas, and mentor panels.

Am I Eligible for Puente?

If the following are true for you, you are eligible to apply to Puente! First-time or returning student eligibility requirements are:

Eligibility for English C1000 for fall semester and English 1B for spring semester
Eligibility for Guidance 45, 47A, or 46
Be motivated to transfer and complete educational goal

Learn how to join Puente

Find information regarding upcoming classes, priority registration dates and more.

Upcoming Courses

Make sure to enroll in Puente courses! Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Puente classes are in person and hybrid format.

Fall 2025: Guidance 45-27904 (1 unit). Meets for the first 8 weeks on Thursdays at 8:00 - 10:05 am in LIB 205. Instructor: Cynthia Vargas. This is an in-person course with zero textbook costs.
Fall 2025: Guidance 47A-28256 (1 unit). Meets for the second 8 weeks on Thursdays at 8:00 - 10:05 am in LIB 205. Instructor: Cynthia Vargas. This is an in-person course with zero textbook costs.
Fall 2025: English C1000-27690 (4 units). Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 am - 12:20 pm SAS 203. Instructor: Valarie Zapata. This is a 16-week hybrid course with zero textbook costs.
Spring 2026: Guidance 46 (1 unit). Meets Tuesdays with Cynthia Vargas. This is a 16-week course with zero textbook costs.
Spring 2026: English 1B (4 units). Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays with Valarie Zapata. This is a 16-week course with zero textbook costs.

Priority Registration

Puente students are eligible for priority registration. The priority registration enrollment limits for fall and spring are 13 units, while winter and summer limits are 7 units. To enroll in additional units beyond those maximums, you must wait for your regular general registration appointment.

Summer and fall 2025 priority registration is May 7 - 9, 2025
Winter and spring 2026 priority registration is November 5 - 7, 2025

We are here to help! Your Puente coordinator team can answer your questions, advise you on your student educational plan, and connect you to resources and services at 91福利社.

Find us in the Welcome Center, Room 170, Common Ground Center.

Hours: