Norco College’s Puente Program welcomed approximately 90 attendees, including Puente students, their families, college administrators, faculty, classified professionals and community members, to its Noche de Familia celebration.
The event celebrated the program’s new cohort of Puentistas and welcomed their families into the Norco College Puente community. The purpose was to strengthen family engagement, foster a sense of belonging, build meaningful connections, and highlight the importance of family and institutional support in students’ educational journeys.
College leadership, including Dean David Schlanger and Dean Kiandra Jimenez, provided welcoming remarks alongside Puente Counselor and Coordinator Evelyn Luna and Puente English Faculty Daniel Turrubiartes. Their messages emphasized the importance of family support, community, and the college’s commitment to student success. As Dean Schlanger shared during his remarks, “Their success is a family success,” reminding families that they are an essential part of their students’ educational journeys and the Norco College Mustang community.
The evening featured inspirational stories from Puente alumni, recognition of students and their families, a cohort celebration and interactive activities such as Lotería, giveaways and a photo booth. Families also received valuable consejos (advice) on supporting their students as they navigate college, including academic expectations, time management, campus resources and student involvement. The celebration also reflected campus collaboration, with contributions from Financial Aid and Trailblazers, which provided items for family giveaways.
Puente Club members played an important role throughout the evening by welcoming families, assisting with activities, engaging with attendees, and demonstrating leadership and teamwork skills. Their involvement provided opportunities to develop confidence, communication, and leadership skills while strengthening connections within the Puente community.
Guided by the theme “Sí se pudo, Sí se puede, Sí se podrá,” Noche de Familia celebrated the resilience, aspirations and accomplishments of students and their families while reinforcing that college success is a shared journey. The event also created opportunities for families to connect with one another, build relationships with faculty and staff, and feel welcomed as valued members of the college community.