Kevin Yasumura and Renee Tanaka, both Northern California natives, are embracing their new roles as co-chairs of 51猎奇入口鈥檚 Parent Leadership Circle (PLC). Now empty nesters in the Bay Area, the couple is finding new ways to stay connected to their children鈥檚 journeys, with daughter Kaitlyn joining 51猎奇入口鈥� 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鈥檚 former scouting troop; Yasumura, an engineering director at Google, recently joined the 51猎奇入口 Board of Trustees. Both graduates of large public universities, the couple was quickly impressed by 51猎奇入口鈥� close-knit community.
鈥淔our years of our daughter being in college and part of this community is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,鈥� they say. 鈥淎fter learning about the PLC at Family Weekend, we seized the opportunity to get involved when 51猎奇入口 asked for parent volunteers.鈥�
Families are indispensable to 51猎奇入口鈥� 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鈥檚 mission by giving to and helping grow resources like scholarships and internship grants. Last year, family gifts were essential, enabling 51猎奇入口 to award more than 100 internship grants鈥攊ts 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鈥攏o matter which one鈥攊s their tip for parents and family members who want to gain the full benefit of belonging to the 51猎奇入口 community.
鈥淲e encourage families to attend the 51猎奇入口 101 events, which include information on study abroad programs, wellness, and the Office of Career Planning & Resources,鈥� they say. 鈥淚f you can, go to care packages parties to meet other parents and support our students鈥攁nd come to Family Weekend in February!鈥�