PUMA Center

The PUMA Center operating hours are 9:00a - 5:00p Monday - Thursday and 9:00a - 3:00p on Fridays, except Friday, January 5th where we will be closed. For all other Student Services, please check Counseling and Student Services for individual office hours. 

Overview 

The PUMA (Puente, Umoja, and MESA Achievement) Center is the home for three college access and success programs – Puente, Umoja, and MESA and was established in 2015. As a vibrant center, the PUMA Center serves students from underserved/underrepresented backgrounds by building and nurturing community through embracing and validating students' cultural identity and humanity, with an emphasis on holistic development, equity, and social justice. The Center focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating instruction and support services to address the students’ various needs, while fostering student leadership, providing mentoring, and raising cultural awareness. PUMA is a space that enables students to build community in order to achieve academic and career success, become empowered, and discover their full potential.

Read more stories about the PUMA Center

Events happening this month at PUMA Center

Midterm Study Jam - March 5 & 6, 1p - 4p

Join us for our MidTerm Study Jam on March 5th and 6th, in collaboration with First Year Experience, MESA, & PUMA! Get ready for a range of tutoring sessions. Lunch will be provided.

We Stick Together - March 14, 1:00p - 2:30p 

To celebrate Women's History Month, join us for a sticker social at the PUMA center! Join us as we uplift and inspire with our diverse selection of women-centric stickers! Pizza will be provided.

Egglympics - March 28, 10a - 12p

Start training for the Egglympics, happening outside the PUMA center on March 28th. Compete in a series of egg-citing games against others. Breakfast will be provided.

Services

Free immigration legal consults 

The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) is still offering free immigration legal consultations virtually to ALL California Community College students, faculty, and staff. Appointments are required. 

Make an appointment here at findyourally.com.

Tutoring 

MESA holds many tutoring opportunities for students. Visit the MESA webpage for additional information. 

Student Programming

For programming and resource highlights, visit the PUMA Instagram page.

Counseling

If you need to meet with your learning community counselor, please schedule an appointment using the options listed on the Counseling Center webpage

Staff and faculty  

Office of Student Engagement and Equity
Abraham Allison PUMA Leader - Puente & Pride Liaison Abraham PUMA Leader photo
Graciela "Douce" Boulingui PUMA Leader - MESA Douce Boulingui PUMA Leader
Lisa Dulberg

Co Coordinator & Counselor First Year Experience 

Lisa Dulberg FYE Counselor and Co Coordinator
     
Kristina Gomez Administrative Assistant III Kristina Gomez Administrative Assistant
Zuhal Rahmani Program Coordinator
Student Engagement and Early College Experiences
Picture of Zuhal, Program Coordinator Student Engagement and Early College Experiences
Brianne Guerra Program Assistant - Puente, Umoja, PUMA Center  Brianne Guerra Program Assistant
Eric Handy

Dean of Student Equity & Engagement

Eric Handy Dean of Student Equity and Engagement
Ramiro Ibarra Program Coordinator
First Year Experience and Student Engagement
 Ramiro Ibarra Program Coordinator FYE
Julian Larcher PUMA Leader - Umoja Julian Larcher PUMA Leader
Ada Ocampo-Pedroza

Manager Student Engagement and Early College Experiences

Ada Ocampo-Pedroza Manager
Puente
Maria Dorado Coordinator & Counselor Maria Dorado Puente Counselor
Anthony Gonzales Coordinator and English Instructor  anthony photo
Brenda Gonzalez Coordinator and Counselor Photo of Brenda Gonzalez
Patrick Leong Coordinator and English Instructor Patrick Leong Puente
Umoja
Natisha Hutson Counselor & Coordinator Natisha Hutson Umoja Counselor
Evangeline Ward  Coordinator  vangie photo
MESA
Brandy Gibson Program Director Brandy Gibson MESA Director
Emmanuel Perez  Counselor Emmanuel Perez PUMA photo
Sean Rodriquez Program Assistant  sean photo
Counseling
Maria Dorado Counselor,
Puente/General
maria smiling
Lisa Dulberg Counselor, FYE Lisa Dulberg Counselor
Brenda Gonzalez Counselor,
Puente/General
Photo of Brenda Gonzalez
Natisha Hutson Counselor, Umoja/General Natisha Hutson Umoja Counselor
Emmanuel Perez Counselor, MESA/General Emmanuel Perez photo

 

Other resources

  • The Academic Support Center (ASC) offers free tutoring and academic support also available online. Visit their webpage for more information. Need help? Just ASC!
  • The DVC library offers an IM chat for continued support. Visit their webpage and send them a message. 

Contact the PUMA Center

Telephone:   925-969-4320 
PUMA Center's location: Learning Communities Annex (LCA) campus map
Instagram Logo @dvcpuma

Office Hours

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Spring 2024 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 9 am - 3 pm