The goal of the statewide Puente Community College Program​​ is to increase the number of educationally underserved students who transfer to four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees, and return to the community as leaders and mentors to future generations. Puente (Spanish for "bridge") is a national-award winning program that has helped thousands of students reach their dreams of college success. Puente was founded in 1981 by Felix Galaviz and Patricia McGrath at Chabot Community College in Hayward, California and Puente came to COS in 1995, when Teresa Guadiana and Joni Jordan started their first team.​ Contact COS Puente Center at (559) 737-4850 or (559) 737-4815. Email ambara@cos.edu​ for additional information.​​