Puente Program

MVC is physically closed to student and public access. During this time, the Puente program and MVC student services will continue to support you. Visit Online Resources for virtual assistance and for college- and district-wide updates, read the latest coronavirus updates.

 

Puente's Mission

The mission of the Puente Program at Moreno Valley College 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.

The Puente Program is an academic and community leadership program designed to help students transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The program meets this goal through a one-year series of Guidance courses, English classes, workshops, activities, and mentoring from a professional from the community. Puente students work closely with a guidance counselor to prepare an academic plan to transfer to four-year institutions, and the students commit to a rigorous two-semester English and Personal Development sequence.

 

Benefits

• Priority registration
• Academic counseling
• Culturally relevant content and assignments
• Year-long learning community
• Learn strategies for college success and life skills
• Annual UC transfer and motivational conference
• University visits, guest speakers and culturally enriching activities
• Mentoring from professionals in the community
• Leadership opportunities (i.e. Puente Club, student activities, peer mentor)

 

 

Puente Components

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.

Puente Program Course Sequence *subject to change
Fall	Spring
English 1A: English Composition	English 1B: Critical Thinking and Writing
Guidance 47: Career Exploration and Life Planning	Guidance 46: Introduction to the Transfer Process

 

English

Puente students take two consecutive writing classes, English 1A and English 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

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

Each Puente student is matched with a mentor from the business or professional community. Mentors share personal, academic and career experiences, and provide a window into real life work environments. The network of trained Puente mentors provides many resources for the Puente students, their families, colleges and the community.

 

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:

1. Eligibility for English 1A for Fall Semester, English 1B Spring Semester
2. Eligibility for Guidance 47 or 46
3. Be motivated to transfer and complete educational goal

 

How do I join Puente?

Recruitment is continuous until the classes are full. The Puente Program operates under a first-come, first-serve basis. Send in your application ASAP for the best chances of acceptance. For more information, view frequently asked questions.

STEP ONE	Review and complete a Puente Program Intake form online and submit it to one of the coordinators.
STEP TWO	Attend a Puente counselor/Information Session. Due to COVID-19, the information sessions will be provided in a virtual format and this information will be forthcoming.
STEP THREE	After completing all of the steps above, a Puente counselor will reach out to you to discuss the next steps to join Puente.

 

Resources

• Application/Intake Form - Printable
• Application/Intake Form - Fillable
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recruitment Flyer
• Archive (Expand)
  • 2017-18 Recruitment Flyer
  • 2016-17 Recruitment Flyer
  • 2016-17 Puente End of Year Banquet
  • 2017-18 Puente End of Year Banquet

 

Contact Us

For more information, contact the Puente coordinators at:

Coordinators:	Cynthia Ramirez Associate Professor, Counseling cynthia.ramirez@mvc.edu (951) 571-6904
	Emma Pacheco Associate Professor, English emma.pacheco@mvc.edu