Research conducted by The Harvard Graduate School of Education, the University of California, and New Mexico State University, to name a few, has demonstrated PUENTE's continuing success in motivating and supporting low-income, first-generation students to earn degrees from four-year colleges and universities.

California Community College (CCC) Program

In 2009–10, the transfer rate of PUENTE participants was 56%, compared to 44% for all CCC students and 34% of educationally disadvantaged students. The number of transfers to four-year college or university continues t0 increase: 573 PUENTE Community College participants transferred in 2009 compared to 397 in 2001, approximately a 44% increase.

Puente High School Program

PUENTE students passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) at a significantly higher rate than all students statewide — 97% of PUENTE students passed the English exam compared to 81% in the state, and 96% passed the Math exam compared to 81% in the state.

Puente Transfer graph Puente Readiness graph

The PUENTE Project would not be successful without the
engagement and oversight of a distinguished advisory board.

Advisory Board Members, 2012

Fernando De Necochea-Chairman
Senior Advisor and Community Partnership Director,
Southern California Edison

Caroline O. Boitano
Bank of American Executive (retired)

Loring Davies
Assistant Superintendent, Whittier Union High School District

Patricia Gandara, Ph.D.
Professor of Education, Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, UCLA/Co-Director, The Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles, UCLA

Frank Garcia
Executive Director, The PUENTE Project

Yvette Gullatt, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Education Partnerships, University of California Office of the President

Paul M. Loya
Partner- Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud, and Romo

Jose Moreno, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Latino Education & Policy Studies, California State University, Long Beach

Roberto Nava
Vice President of Advancement, San Francisco State University

Barry A. Russell, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office

Francisco Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President, MiraCosta College District

Dr. Serafín Zasueta
President, Southwestern College (Retired)

Frances E.Contreras, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Education Studies, UC San Diego