Pause for Coz Profile - Irene Nagasaka
For rising senior and Portland, Oregon native Irene Nagasaka ‘25, visiting campus and interacting with students and staff made SCU her top choice. “I knew I wanted to go to SCU when I came here on my recruiting trip and had the opportunity to interact with such a welcoming team,” she says. “And I hope to take advantage of this experience by making a difference in children’s lives.”
Irene decided to major in psychology “because I enjoy learning about myself and others’ behaviors,” she says, “and I want to continue normalizing mental health and helping people in need,” she explains. “I decided to add a Child Studies secondary major because I especially enjoy working with children.”
She especially enjoyed her Health Psychology course and “loved listening to Dr. Plante’s stories, and working with the population of differently-abled adults,” she notes. “I gained a new perspective and understanding of healthy habits, which allowed me to reflect on my own health and encourage others to engage in healthier habits."
In addition to her academic pursuits, Irene is a member of the Women’s Cross Country and Track team where she has formed life-long relationships with her teammates. “Running is a sport where we spend almost 24/7 together, and it’s inevitable that we find our best friends through our shared love of the sport.”
Receiving the Father Coz Scholarship has allowed her “to fully enjoy the college experience without having to worry about the financial burden,” and has inspired Irene to continue Father Coz’s legacy by becoming more involved at Santa Clara. “I also hope to ‘pay it forward’ by making a difference in children’s lives, and supporting their well-being,” she says.