What is the Puente Math and Science Project?

The Puente Project is a student learning community at Las Positas College dedicated to increasing the transfer rates of educationally underserved students. Through the program, students receive personalized guidance in transferring to a four-year university, academic support from their professors, and the assistance of a dedicated counselor to help them succeed during their time at Las Positas College.The program is open to all students. 

The Puente Math and Science Project (also known as Puente MaS model) is composed of four integrated components: 

• English 
• Mathematics
• Counseling
• Mentoring and Community

The English component allows for diverse writing and research styles to guide students' writing processes to prepare them for academic work at a four-year institution. It teaches academic and real-world writing skills that have the ability to support students in their educational goals while incorporating literature that is relevant to students’ lives and experiences. 

The Mathematics component allows students to gain confidence in their skills and learn valuable techniques to assist them in succeeding in more advanced mathematics courses at Las Positas College and future four-year institutions. Dedicated mathematics professors allow Puente students to receive the additional support required for transfer level math courses and ensure that all the necessary resources are available to help students succeed. 

The Counseling component provides students with a dedicated counselor to assist students in planning their community college experience and assisting with transferring to a four-year institution.

The Mentoring and Community components allows Puente students to create a layer of support and interact with students who have similar goals. Puente students are assigned mentors who are professionals in the community, current Puente students, and returning Puente students to add an additional layer of support along with identity reinforcement.

In addition to in-class activities, Puente students are required to dedicate extra time for additional activities. These activities include but are not limited to: family nights, mentor mixers, college tours, the Transfer Motivational Conference, and four-year university/college representative visits. All of which create a program that is designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution and earn college degrees.