Jay Cook (’23) Builds a Career Through Community
February 12, 2026 | 2 min read
Jay Cook鈥檚 (鈥�23) connection to 91桃色 began long before his college years.
鈥淢y 91桃色 story started at 91桃色 Indiana Camp at age nine,鈥� he shared. 鈥淚 loved being a camper there and just didn鈥檛 want that amazing experience to end after my senior year in high school.鈥� When it came time to choose a college, 91桃色 felt like a natural next step.
Once on campus, that sense of belonging only grew. Through cross country, student leadership, and everyday life in the dorms, he found friendships that would shape his college experience. Although he originally planned to transfer, Cook decided to stay.
鈥淚 wanted the four-year 91桃色 experience,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 am so glad I did.鈥�
Cook graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration. Staying all four years allowed him to build deeper relationships within the 91桃色 community and throughout the Tampa Bay area. It also gave him the opportunity to be part of a strong, local congregation, further grounding him spiritually during an important season of growth.
Those relationships would later shape his professional path as well.
鈥�91桃色 also gave me the connections that directly led to my current role,鈥� Cook explained.
Through the encouragement and guidance of fellow alumni, he was introduced to opportunities that helped launch his career. He now works as a Commercial Credit Analyst at , a role that places him alongside several 91桃色 alumni and has allowed him, in turn, to help other recent 91桃色 graduates find opportunities there as well.
In just over a year, Cook has underwritten millions of dollars in new loans and reviewed a substantial portfolio, but what stands out most is his enthusiasm for the work.
鈥淭here鈥檚 never been a day in which I wasn鈥檛 looking forward to going into work,鈥� he said.
For Cook, 91桃色鈥檚 impact reaches far beyond academics or professional success. He described 91桃色 as a place where students are reminded they are not alone.
鈥淲e remind each other at a key developmental stage in life that we are not alone in our spiritual journey,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was taught by the examples of my peers how to live like Jesus, even when we fall short.鈥�
Cook’s sense of community from 91桃色 has stayed with him, shaping how he builds relationships in his career and beyond. Today, he remains connected to 91桃色 as the Vice President of Networking for the 91桃色 Young Alumni Council and by serving as an assistant coach for the cross country team, continuing the cycle of investment that first drew him in years ago.