These alumni focused on the needs of Hispanic students in Colorado public school. If the number of bilingual or Teaching English as a Second Language certified teachers increases, Colorado Hispanic school children will have more role models and teachers whose proficiency in Spanish and English would enable those students to better meet their educational needs. Cumbres uses a cohort concept, in which an identified group of teacher education students begins together as freshmen and takes a core of courses each year that not only prepare them for their area of primary teacher certification, but also for an endorsement in Second Language. What sets these teacher students apart is that they are being specifically qualifies to teach public school children who may be bilingual in English or Spanish, or whose primary language is Spanish. The mentors' role is to help guide Cumbres students through their program of study.
Mentors are problem solvers, sounding boards, and informal advisors.
Beyond this, the fact that Cumbres students share common goals helps create friendships that will not only last through their college years, but may well from the basis for lifelong relationships. Cumbres students have access to a wide range of University resources, including the Arts and Sciences Advising Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Supplemental Instruction Program, the Center for Human Enrichment, the College Transition Center, University libraries , and UNC's computer labs, to name a few. Admission into Cumbres is competitive. Because admission to UNC's various education programs must first meet internal standards, primary consideration is given to those students whose high school or community college records reflect the level of academic achievement required for admission into UNC's teacher education program. Thus, high academic achievement will be necessary to compete successfully at the college level.