Kevin Yasumura and Renee Tanaka, both Northern California natives, are embracing their new roles as co-chairs of Scripps College’s Parent Leadership Circle (PLC). Now empty nesters in the Bay Area, the couple is finding new ways to stay connected to their children’s journeys, with daughter Kaitlyn joining Scripps’ Class of 2027 and their son Keith is finishing his first semester at UC Berkeley.
Tanaka, a retired assistant controller, volunteers locally and serves as board treasurer for her son’s former scouting troop; Yasumura, an engineering director at Google, recently joined the Scripps College Board of Trustees. Both graduates of large public universities, the couple was quickly impressed by Scripps’ close-knit community.
“Four years of our daughter being in college and part of this community is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” they say. “After learning about the PLC at Family Weekend, we seized the opportunity to get involved when Scripps asked for parent volunteers.”
Families are indispensable to Scripps’ intimate culture, often serving as informal mentors and connecting students and alums with career opportunities. PLC members like Tanaka and Yasumura also support the College’s mission by giving to and helping grow resources like scholarships and internship grants. Last year, family gifts were essential, enabling Scripps to award more than 100 internship grants—its highest total since the pandemic.
As the new PLC co-chairs, Tanaka and Yasumura are eager to build strong ties with current and incoming families. Attending an event—no matter which one—is their tip for parents and family members who want to gain the full benefit of belonging to the Scripps community.
“We encourage families to attend the Scripps 101 events, which include information on study abroad programs, wellness, and the Office of Career Planning & Resources,” they say. “If you can, go to care packages parties to meet other parents and support our students—and come to Family Weekend in February!”