Jairus Cook finds – and builds – his engineering community at UNC Charlotte

“Find your people
and take advantage
of every opportunity.”
– Jairus Cook,
UNC Charlotte
NSBE President,
’26 B.S.M.E.

Story by William Moye, student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications studies

Jairus Cook isn’t just graduating from UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He has designed and built his own college experiences and network that have supported his journey. An engineering student, scholarship winner, four-time intern and organization leader, Cook grew his community well beyond the classroom, which served as a major factor in his success. Now, he wants to share that community with future Niner Engineers.

However, he did not know about this path four years ago.

Designing something from nothing

The search for community began when Cook transitioned from his high school in Durham, North Carolina, to UNC Charlotte. The demands of an intense and time-consuming academic program suddenly pushed him to grow. While the program was very challenging, Cook discovered how to rely on himself and the student community to overcome the initial intimidation of the curriculum. 

A defining moment came during a sophomore design course where he worked in a machine shop for the first time, alongside his fellow second-year Niner Engineers. They each learned manual milling and manufacturing through hands-on experience with real equipment in the college’s machine shop. 

This group discovery environment, with everyone learning together, helped shape the student’s interest in manufacturing engineering as well as his confidence. “Going from no experience to building something real taught me a lot,” Cook said, as he reflected on both the manufacturing project as well as his growing network.

Strengthening the infrastructure

In his next years, Cook took advantage of opportunities that showed him how to solidify his confidence, including four internships that developed him professionally and technically. Also, he earned recognition as a Levine Scholar. According to Cook, “It’s more than just a scholarship. It’s the support and the experiences that help shape you.” 

Among his most significant experiences on campus was his membership in the UNC Charlotte chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. This group of similarly driven students brought deeper meaning to his engineering education, infusing tangible contributions into their organization activities. He remained an engaged member through his upper-level years.

Implementing the final project

Cook carried the lessons and networks from these experiences into his final undergraduate year, where he began his senior design project. He was now on a team that committed to building a solution that would solve a challenge from their industry supporter, Construction Improvement Depot Attachments. The company needed a machine blade imbalance to be identified and corrected. “It took time to fully understand the scope,” Cook said. “But once we did, we really learned how complex it was.” 

Diving into the challenge over his last two semesters on campus, Cook and his teammates researched, struggled to create a solid design and successfully tested a way to optimize the machine so it would detect blade imbalances and fix them. There was a steep learning curve at different points in the project, regarding both the assignment and the team processes. In order to succeed, the team worked intently, ultimately bridging the gap in the technical understanding as well as teamwide communication. On May 1, this solution will be on display at the W.S. Lee College of Engineering Senior Design Expo in Halton Arena.

Scaling community impact through leadership

To make his senior year even stronger, Cook accepted the position of president of the NSBE student organization, where he was able to exercise his networking, organization and solution-oriented talents. During his membership, the chapter became increasingly active, with engagement nearly tripling during Cook’s time on campus. For instance, while Cook was a first-year student member, the group sponsored 16 organization members to attend the national convention in Kansas City. In his last year, while serving as president, Cook led 46 of his group members to nationals in Baltimore. The organization was increasing not only their membership, but also their strength as a strong community for Cook and his fellow engineers. 

Throughout his time in NSBE, Cook has been dedicated to the organization’s mission: increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers so they excel in their academics, careers and communities. As president, he works toward this mission by emphasizing the importance of a welcoming environment, helping future Niner Engineers find their own fit at UNC Charlotte. “At the end of the day, it’s about community and having people you can talk to,” said Cook. “I want students to know they are part of something bigger.”

Launching a career based on community

Shortly before graduation, Cook received his first job offer, which he is actively considering. Once he gains real-world experience in industry, he may eventually return to graduate school. Looking back at his time on campus, he credits much of his success to his communities.

“Engineering is not something you do alone. Find your people and take advantage of every opportunity.”

Learn more about the UNC Charlotte NSBE chapter.