Puente
Steps to Join Puente
If you're interested in participating in the Puente program, please complete the interest form below. Once you have filled out the Interest Form, we will be sending you an e-mail with more information about the next steps to becoming a Puentista at LACC:
Eligibility for the Puente Program
What We Do In Puente
Puente at LACC is an academic, counseling and mentoring program that supports students to build the skills necessary for success in both academic and career goals, while enrolling in specific Puente English and Counseling courses at LACC. A unique aspect of the Puente program is that you are part of a cohort, which means students complete 1 year of English and Counseling together with the same classmates and professors. This means you will have a support network that is meant to help you succeed throughout your time at LACC and beyond. We believe strongly in building community (la communidad) in the classroom and on the campus because when we work together, we can accomplish great things together!
Our English classes focus on language, gender and identity with an emphasis on Latinx culture as a way of reflecting our diverse student population. The readings and class culture are designed to get you to enjoy reading and writing. The same is true for Counseling courses where students are active participants in interactive activities that get students to think about their educational goals and aspirations.
We host special events on campus like Noche de Familia, Mentor Mixer and End of the Year celebrations where we celebrate all the work you have done throughout the entire year; in addition, we go to statewide Puente events like the Transfer Motivational Conference where you can meet other Puentistas from other colleges just like you. In 2023, we went to Cal State San Bernardino; in 2024, we went to UCSD; in 2025, we will go to UCLA.
We also go on special trips to universities like the North Cal Trip where we fly students to Northern California and attend student tours together. Students get to Cal State San Francisco, UC Berkeley and learn about the history of art and literature in the Bay Area. We believe that when students see themselves at the university, you will have a much better understanding of what you want to do.
If you're looking for a program that is designed to help you connect with others, be successful at LACC and become a future leader in your own community, then Puente is for you! We look forward to working with you and making your dreams a reality.
History and Benefits of the Puente Program
The Puente Project is a national award-winning program that has improved the college-going rate of tens of thousands of California's educationally underrepresented students since 1981.
Puente's mission is to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees and return to the community as mentors and leaders to future generations. The program is interdisciplinary in approach, with writing, counseling, and mentoring components.
Started in 1981 at Chabot Community College in Hayward, California, the program has since expanded to 4 middle schools, 38 high schools and 65 community colleges throughout the state. Puente staff train middle school, high school, and community college instructors and counselors to implement a program of rigorous instruction, focused academic counseling and mentoring by members of the community. Puente's staff training programs have benefited approximately 300,000 students across the state. Puente is open to all students regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, status or ability.
The Puente program provides 3 components:
Puente students begin the Fall semester with English 101, College Reading and Composition I with a specific focus on familia groups where students work together. We also focus on Latinx literature. In the Spring semester, the same students will automatically be added in English 102, College Reading and Composition II together. Both of these courses are required to transfer to a University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU).
With the addition of the English Courses, Puente students take two consecutive Counseling courses. In the fall semester, students enroll in Counseling 40, College Success Seminar. After students successfully pass Counseling 40, students take Counseling 20, which is about career planning. Both of these courses are transferrable to the UC and CSU institutions. Students will have a dedicated Puente counselor until they graduate. The students devise a comprehensive ed plan for each student to make sure the student transfer to a four-year university or complete their educational goals.
The English and Counseling coordinators will pair each Puente student with a mentor. The mentor may assist the student in multiple areas, including navigating the college system, academics, professional and career goals. The goal of the mentor is to motivate the mentee to build the life skills needed for their future success as college students and ultimately can come back and give back to their communities.
Meet Your Puente Success Team
Adjunct Associate Professor
A.A. Santa Monica College
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles
M.A. California State University, Dominguez Hills
Hello everyone, my name is Joseph Ferrerosa and I’m a former community college student like many of you. My career as a teacher began when I was a tutor at West Los Angeles before I became a teacher at Pierce, Mission and City. I’ve been teaching in the LACCD for a decade now and I’m proud of that fact I get to work with the best students!
I’m the English Coordinator here at LACC working with Puente’s awesome counselor Veronica Garcia who is my co-coordinator. We teach paired classes together where we blend our best ideas together with an emphasis on Latin literature and helping students succeed in meeting their educational goals.
I really like to teach students how to be successful, not only in school, but also how to win in life. Outside of teaching, I like to hang out with my family, go to the movies, play music and video games. I’m an avid fan of gothic literature, traveling and enjoy hanging out with dogs. If you would like to join the Puente program, please contact me at ferrerj@lacitycollege.edu. Let’s make our dreams a reality. I'm a Puentista for life!
Puente Contact Information
Joseph Ferrerosa
English Puente Coordinator
Email: @email
Location: Jefferson Hall 307
Veronica Garcia
Puente Counselor Coordinator
Email: garciava@lacitycollege.edu
Phone: (323) 953-4000 ext. 2348
Social Media