Puente Faculty

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LatinX/Chican@/Puente Curriculum

 

Contact

Michele N Toral

Puente Counselor/Coordinator

Email: michele.toral@gcccd.edu
Phone: (619) 668-1760

Grossmont College Puente Project

The Puente Project was established in 1981 by Felix Galaviz and Patricia McGrath at Chabot College in Hayward, CA and is an national award-winning program aimed at increasing the transfer success of disproportionately impacted students. Puente follows a 3-part student success model and combines rigorous English instruction, intrusive academic counseling and mentorship.  At Grossmont College Puente students also take a culturally relevant course taught from an intersectionally conscious perspective. All students are encouraged to transfer to four-year institutions, earn degrees and return as leaders and mentors to future generations.  Puente courses integrate LatinX and multi-cultural literature into lessons, projects and activities.
 
  

3-Part Student Success Model

 Venn diagram
 
COUNSELING - Students identify career and education plans alongside their counselor both in and out of the classroom.  Students enroll in COUN 120 (College & Career Success) during their first semester as a Puente student. 
 
ENGLISH - Puente students take two consecutive English courses, ENGL 120 (College Compostion and Reading + 020 Support Class - Fall) and ENGL 124 (Advanced Composition: Critical Reasoning and Writing- Spring).  Each course focuses on LatinX and multicultural authors and themes.  
 
MENTORING - During the spring semester each Puente student is matched with a professional within the community who has already earned one or more college degrees.   Mentors share their personal, academic and career experiences and provide students "insider" tips and information about their journey.
  
CULTURA (Spanish for the word "Culture") - During their first year at Grossmont College, Puentistas are encouraged to take culturally relevant courses taught from an intersectionally conscious perspective. Relevant courses are encouraged for the purpose of cultivating awareness and empowerment. This requirement is unique to our campus and has added a wealth of knowledge to our students.
 
Fall Suggestions:
  • CCS 126 - Chican@ and Mexican Art
  • CCS 236 - Chican@ Literature
  • HIST 115 - Comparative History of the Modern Americas
 
Your fall semester schedule will look a lot like this:
  • COUN 120 (9460) T/TH 9:30am-10:45am
  • ENGL 120 (1265) T/TH 12:30pm-1:45pm
  • ENGL 020 (3590) Tues 2:00pm-2:50pm
  • CCS 126 (3283) 100% Online
*Plus a major-relevant introductory course
 
OR like this (if you do not require the ENGL 020)
  • COUN 120 (6075) T/TH 11:00am-12:15pm
  • ENGL 120 (4825) T/TH 3:30pm-4:45pm
  • CCS 126 (3283) 100% Online
*Plus a major-relevant introductory course
 

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Program Eligibility
PUENTE Perks