When it came to shopping around for doctoral programs, she considered Fresno State, where she’d earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). 

Espinoza hadn’t initially considered CSUB, since it was such a new program and Fresno was the same distance. But now she thinks that if she’d attended another school, like Fresno State, UCLA or USC, she wouldn’t have made the quality of relationships and friendships that she formed at CSUB. 

Joining the program, Espinoza knew she wanted to focus on bilingual education and wasn’t necessarily sure what her dissertation would be, though, originally, she considered early literacy. 

Espinoza said she “really appreciated the level of support at CSUB and the investment,” as the program and its professors helped focus her interest.  

As Espinoza’s professor in the doctoral program, Dr. Kristina LaGue, professor and department chair of teacher education, said they developed an immediate connection once they discovered that she was an administrator at an elementary school in Dr. LaGue’s hometown, Porterville. 

“Beyond that surface connection, it was evident that we both shared a deep passion and commitment for improving equity in schools and for advocating for our most vulnerable populations of students,” Dr. LaGue said.

“One of the biggest rewards for me as a principal is to serve in a community where the kids we serve are a reflection of me, and to be able to ensure that all of our students are provided with these opportunities and experiences,” Espinoza said. 

Throughout the program, Espinoza learned so much that was applicable to her role at the elementary school. It also helped her realize where she wants to go with her doctorate degree and what she wants to do, as far as the work that needs to be done in education. 

One month after completing Dr. LaGue’s class, Dr. LaGue emailed her to see if she would be interested in teaching a course at CSUB. Espinoza had never considered it – that leap into being a professor. 

“It was taking that next step, and teaching adults was another way to serve children,” Espinoza said. 

She’s always loved teaching, so she was “really grateful for that opportunity.”

Espinoza, added that “Dr. LaGue has been a true inspiration and I am fortunate that I can count on her beyond the doctorate program.”

The first course Espinoza taught was online through Extended Education for a reading certificate. The second was a foundations of bilingualism course that is part of the CSUB Bilingual Authorization Program (BILA), which consists of three classes. 

As she finishes her first BILA cohort as a professor in the next month, she adds that it was because of the “passion of the faculty” that she became a part of that.

Being an administrator and now professor, she was able to build the bridge between the university and K-12 system in order to respond to the need for certificated bilingual educators in the Porterville area. 

Dr. Andrew Bukosky, assistant superintendent of Human Resources for Porterville Unified School District, also formed part of her dissertation committee and played an important role in establishing the first BILA cohort in Porterville. 

“He has been an incredible mentor and I am so grateful for his continued support,” Espinosa said. 

With 12 educators in that area receiving bilingual authorized certification, “this has definitely been one of the highlights,” Espinoza said, adding that it wasn’t so much about the degree itself, but the relationships and possibilities that come with the doctoral experience. 

“Her knowledge and expertise in dual immersion instruction has been valuable as we have expanded our Bilingual Authorization program into the Porterville area under the direction of Dr. Adam Sawyer. She is a great example of a doctoral candidate who will continue to contribute to our university for many years to come,” Dr. LaGue said.