Pepperdine GSEP Celebrates CABE's 50th Anniversary and Enduring Partnership

The Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) at Pepperdine University proudly commemorates the 50th anniversary of the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE), reflecting on a longstanding collaboration dedicated to advancing bilingual and multicultural education.​

A Legacy of Leadership and Transition

In 2007, Dr. Reyna García Ramos, Professor of Education and Director of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at GSEP, joined the CABE board and established the CABE Pepperdine Chapter—the only university-based chapter within the organization. Under her leadership, the chapter became a vibrant forum for students, alumni, faculty, and community members to engage in meaningful discussions on multilingualism and educational equity. After 17 years of dedicated service, Dr. García Ramos transitioned the faculty liaison role to Dr. Kevin Wong in 2023. Dr. Wong, Associate Professor of Education and Chair of the MA in TESOL program at GSEP, continues to advance the chapter's mission with enthusiasm and expertise.​

“The CABE Pepperdine chapter continues to enhance programming for GSEP students and alumni. Over the years, it built collaborative partnerships with other student organizations like the Latinx Student Psychological Association (LSPA) to sponsor cultural programming across the Pepperdine community. It has been a vehicle where graduate students are empowered to become leaders across diverse fields in education once they gradaute. I feel privileged to have led the chapter and have forged many years of continued professional and personal connections with all that who continue to be ‘CABistas’ over the years.” - Dr. Reyna García Ramos

“At the CABE Pepperdine Chapter, I hope to cultivate a space where our students grow as passionate advocates and reflective leaders in bilingual education. My vision is to empower student leaders and members to speak boldly and act with integrity—through meaningful experiences like organizing bilingual education teacher panels, honoring cultural traditions such as Día de los Muertos and Lunar New Year, and celebrating International Education Week. These moments not only deepen our understanding of multilingualism and cultural identity, but also advance CABE’s mission to center student need, promote shared leadership, and uplift the voices of the communities we serve.” - Dr. Kevin Wong

Recognition and Scholarly Contributions

The chapter's commitment has been acknowledged with several accolades, including the Chapter of the Year award in 2011 and an Honorable Mention in 2023, underscoring its sustained dedication to CABE's mission. Further exemplifying this dedication, GSEP alumna Seongin Lee and Dr. Reyna García Ramos co-authored an article titled “The Power of a CABE Chapter on Educators”, published in CABE’s 50th Anniversary edition of the Multilingual Educator journal. The reflective piece shares how their involvement in the CABE Pepperdine Chapter—part of Region III—shaped their development as educators, leaders, and advocates for equity and multilingualism. The article highlights how participation in CABE provides mentorship, affirmation, and a transformative professional community for bilingual educators.

Empowering Future Educators through Scholarships

Over the years, numerous MAT candidates from Pepperdine have been honored with CABE Teachership Awards, each valued at $2,000, supporting their pursuit of bilingual teaching credentials. Notable recipients include Janet Lee in 2022 and Seongin You in 2014, exemplifying the caliber of educators emerging from GSEP.​

Advancing Scholarship and Community Engagement

In 2024, as a board member of the California Association for Bilingual Teacher Education (CABTE), Dr. García Ramos advocated for the continued Graduate Student Symposium. This event showcased the research of eight Pepperdine candidates from the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL) and MAT programs, highlighting GSEP's emphasis on academic excellence and practical impact.​

Furthering community outreach, Dr. García Ramos and Dr. Haniya conducted a presentation for parents in Spanish, demonstrating GSEP's dedication to engaging diverse communities and promoting educational equity.​

Looking Ahead

As CABE celebrates its 50th anniversary, GSEP remains steadfast in its collaboration with the organization, aiming to nurture educators who are not only skilled in bilingual instruction but also deeply committed to fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments.

For more information about the ongoing initiatives of the CABE Pepperdine Chapter, please visit GSEP's CABE page.