Alan Llavore | Office of Marketing and Communications | (909) 537-5007 | allavore@csusb.edu
Jocelyn Hernandez-Rosales may be quiet and reserved, but her impact as a future bilingual educator is already resonating far and wide.
In front of peers, faculty and families gathered at Cal State San Bernardino’s Coussoulis Arena for the university’s James R. Watson and Judy Rodriguez Watson College of Education’s Credential Ceremony, Hernandez-Rosales was named the 2025 Outstanding Spanish Bilingual Student. The award was presented on May 9 by Jordi Solsona-Puig, assistant professor and co-coordinator of the Bilingual Authorization in Spanish program.
“Jocelyn has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, commitment and passion in her journey to become an inspiring bilingual educator. Despite her naturally reserved and shy nature, Jocelyn has constantly demonstrated her worth, sometimes behind the scenes,” said Solsona-Puig, “Her quiet strength and genuine warmth have made her an exceptional role model for both peers and colleagues. Jocelyn's perseverance in mastering bilingual teaching methodologies and her belief in the transformative power of multilingualism have set a remarkable example for all aspiring educators.
Hernandez-Rosales is part of a growing movement within the Watson College of Education, which trains more than 1,000 credentialed educators each year. The college’s Spanish Bilingual Authorization program has taken on heightened importance amid teacher shortages and an increasingly multilingual K-12 student population.
“Being bilingual is important to me because it allows me to live in two worlds at once,” said Hernandez-Rosales. “It gives me the power to connect, understand and thrive in both cultures. Most importantly, it allows me to proudly represent my community, showing others that our voices, stories and languages belong in every space.”
The Spanish Bilingual Authorization program prepares candidates with cultural, linguistic and instructional skills to teach in dual-language classrooms. In addition to coursework, it offers professional development, community engagement opportunities, and hosts the annual Dual Immersion Symposium. The program has secured over $4 million in grant funding to support future bilingual teachers.