This digest explores the status of Hispanic community college students and the factors that affect their enrollment and persistence in college. America's 1,076 community colleges educate over half of all minority students in higher education. Hispanics are underrepresented in four-year institutions, and over 55% of all Hispanic students enrolled in higher education are at two-year institutions. Some see this overrepresentation at community colleges as a detriment to Hispanics' educational attainment and a perpetuation of social stratification, while others see it as a sign of change for the better. Even though transfer and persistence rates for Hispanic students are among the lowest, it can be argued that community colleges facilitate postsecondary opportunities for those who might not otherwise attend, and thereby they act as a catalyst to the baccalaureate for a host of students. The Puente Project is a collaboration between California's community colleges and the University of California system. Its goal is to increase the number of educationally underserved students who transfer from two-year to four-year institutions and earn degrees. Approximately 50% of students who complete the program transfer to a four-year institution within three years. The Puente model serves as a prime template in designing programs geared toward increased persistence and transfer of Hispanic students. (Contains 15 references.) (NB)