To strengthen ties between the university system and the pest management industry, Cook’s Pest Control visited Florida A&M University (FAMU) during Summer and Fall 2025.
Strengthening Industry–University Connections
On June 23, 2025, Cook’s Pest Control representatives visited the Department of Entomology to share internship and job opportunities with undergraduate and graduate students. Guests included Mr. Jerry Baker (Vice President, Business Development) and Mr. Chuck Carney (Vice President, Regional Manager of GA/FL).
Engaging Students in Career and Professional Development
On September 8–9, 2025, the Entomology and Agribusiness students welcomed Mr. Jerry Baker, Mr. Stephen Gates (Vice President, Technical Services), and Ms. Faye Golden (Director of Governmental Affairs). Students engaged in discussions about careers, professional development, and experiential learning opportunities within the pest management industry.
With more than 90 years of service across six Southeastern states, Cook’s Pest Control recently opened an office in Tallahassee, positioning the company to host FAMU students for internships and experiential training. Programs such as Leadership Express offer paid internships with pathways to management positions.
A Longstanding Partnership with New Opportunities Ahead
FAMU and Cook’s Pest Control share a longstanding relationship, strengthened through initiatives like the Gulf South Vector Project and the annual Entomology Field Day. In 2025, FAMU will celebrate its 49th Field Day, with continued support from Cook’s Pest team members. Looking ahead, FAMU plans to further integrate internship opportunities into undergraduate and graduate curricula.
Reflecting on the recent visits, Mr. Baker shared: “ The student’s engaging questions, feedback, and candid discussions on professionalism and career preparation was great. The highlights for me personally were seeing the student fun and their love for FAMU, the engagement with you and your leadership, and the fun we had participating in the Lab Day at the farm. I especially loved seeing Stephen back in his element, engaging with the student’s specimen collections. The classes were well-attended, and we have already started the dialogue with several of your students who’s very interested in Cook’s programs.”
Both FAMU and Cook’s Pest Control are looking forward to the next step(s) in building a stronger partnership!
